Ladies 1st XI Vs Nottingham Trent University Women's 2nd

Then on 6 October we met the opposition from Nottingham Trent University (NTU). Trained as a team, with planned team tactics, fit, highly skilled, strong and athletic. Scary.

It seemed likely to be no contest. But Captain Beth stepped up to the plate. She recognised the disparity and told us to put to good use what we had learned in previous weeks. We had great speed, good stick skills and massive commitment. Beth told us to play to our strengths and gave us greatest motivation.

The opening minutes showed us in danger of being over-run. As if NTU had 20 players on the field. They did not, but NTU were everywhere.

Elizabeth in goal ably and strongly controlled her circle. A nearly impenetrable wall, (next stop Euro championships?) dramatic saves.

Mel was calling the shots in sublime defence, rattling their forwards and sending powerful passes out to our wings to re-start South Notts attacks. But to get to Mel, NTU had to get past Jo and new member Sophie, who were like canny thoughtful Rocks of Gibraltar as they serenely cleared the ball away, time after time.

If the ball happened to squirt past them, NTU found they had Mel in the way. And then Elizabeth.

Caroline and Katrina dominated and controlled powerfully in midfield, (“they -NTU- shall not pass”). Tackling back in defence, forward in attack. Made NTU look twice at their own every move. Beth was athletic up front and organised our highly mobile forward line to be a constant threat. We were all fired up, to feel we had a real chance.

Our youngsters harried and ran. We looked as if our team had developed some inner team motivation at max strength. It had. Real power. We took the ‘battle to the enemy’ and with Olivia back from Uni (she stands no nonsense and no-one pushes her off the ball !) piling forward in constantly dangerous attack, NTU stared in amazement, and started to look rattled. New player Daisy played her part very quickly and fitted very well into our team.

And South Notts scored first. 1-0. Hurrah. And this gave us all renewed zing. The fervent spectators were going wild with cheering enthusiasm.

We then put slightly too much into attack and unfairly exposed our defence. So NTU managed to equalise. But did this reduce our motivation? Fat chance. It spurred the Team on to greater things.

Beth leading up front, and was seen to be overtaking one of their quicker players to get first to a loose ball. Emma/ Ruby, Gracie/ Poppy, Daisy/ Holly, played out of their skins in skill, speed and effort. They tackled back, sprinted forward to collect shrewd passes from midfield, and unsettled the NTU opposition by keeping them under constant and serious pressure. The success of our forward line combinations appeared to make NTU a little nervous, and slowed down their incessant hard and thrusting attacks.

This resulted in another goal for South Notts. Final winning score 2-1 against the odds, and well deserved. It felt like a Gold Medal at the Olympics. Thanks to Andy for umpiring.

What made the difference? Somehow our players blended into a genuine TEAM. Everyone was committed to helping each other in defence, to supporting each other in attack. Wonderful to see.

With this Team, and we played as a real TEAM, winning is likely to become a habit. Excellent start to the season.