2 determined teams going for 2nd place, a poorly coach, but Blackheath come away with all 3 points!
After the first loss of the season last week Blackheath turned up to Tunbridge Wells School determined to take all 3 points. Unfortunately, with a coach down due to illness (get better soon), they pulled together to make a plan of action from Monday nights training and previous team talks to prepare themselves for what they knew would be a big game.

Both sides started the game with a minute silence to remember our fallen together, however it was evident as soon as the starting whistle blew that both teams meant business for that all important 2nd place. With the home team coming out of the blocks with clear intent to control the game, trying to create gaps across the Blackheath side, it took a stern voice from the goal to remind Blackheath to “play the game their way” for the tables to soon turn.

With Blackheath taking control through the middle with Gilly and Sally stepping up to the 50/50 balls to create overloads for Emma to promote play down the right-hand side of the field, they final found themselves in shooting opportunities, and with a short corner was awarded Alex stepped up perfectly with confidence to put Blackheath up 1-0.
The home side were not ready to just allow Blackheath to take charge after going 1-0 up and continued to try to make a break play down their right-hand side, with a forward hanging high to stretch the defence, however some excellent play from Jen at left back meant they were denied play down the line continuously. This meant they had to try find a way through the middle and create 2v1 situations to promote play across the pitch. With Tunbridge awarded their first short corner because of this, they made no mistake in making a straight strike connection to go to 1-1.
Without this goal setting Blackheath back, they continued to stretch the pitch with great movement on and off the ball from Carlotta and Vicki, allowing the forwards to get into great spaces in and around the D. Another short corner awarded for Blackheath just before the half time whistle where Emma stepped up and dragged the ball with such power that there was just no stopping it and with the half time whistle blowing it was 2-1 Blackheath at the break.
The second half turned out just as exciting as the first, with both teams determined to take all 3 points. Blackheath started the half with great promotion through the middle and back out to the right side of play and started to try to change the channels of play to gain goal scoring opportunities, with a little too much power and the ball ending up over the goal from the currently top goal scorer, Blackheath just couldn’t seem to get that 3rd goal in.
Tunbridge started to find gaps to get the long ball through to their attackers and applied the pressure with Blackheath seeming to find themselves in turn over after turn over territory. Requiring a solid Blackheath defence across the full team for the full 7 minutes before the full-time whistle, Sarah well and truly stepped up to the make with what can only be described as a phenomenal save pushing the ball just over the top of her goal to keep her team in it! With a further 2 short corners awarded before the final whistle, with 1 being run down with pure determination from Hannah, Blackheath managed to walk away with all 3 points and officially move into 2nd place.
Leaving Sarah with a well deserved player of the match award and a little reminder to Emma, if you do not want to take the D.O.D award, make sure you wash the fake tan off your hands and watch where you are walking on a Monday night!