| Match Report |
08.02.20 South Notts ladies v North Notts ladies
An early start but everyone was there in good time to practice short (penalty) corner drills and warm up. Way before the experienced, older North Notts team turned up.
Jo Shaw had sadly suffered a knee injury skiing, so could not play but still appeared to give us her vocal support and encouragement. Thanks, Jo.
Eleanor Wallace as sweeper (in front of the highly capable Elizabeth Turner as keeper) was a real Rock of Gibraltar and in front of her, nipped Sophie Runciman, Alice Hounslow and Fiona Sweetman, intelligently and swiftly pouncing on, and cutting out, North Notts’ through balls. Then neat passes forward, down the touchline to our waiting wings.
Caroline Brackenbury returned from last week’s absence to control midfield with her dynamic energy. It seemed that our team has been undergoing athletics training, led by Emma Turner, Ruby Ryan, Poppy Scothern, and Abbie Rimmington whose individual speeds were awesome. Also the rest of our Team.
In midfield, Poppy Scothern, Ruby Ryan, and Becky Lindley were towers of support for Caroline Brackenbury, for each other and for our team’s forwards. Thoughtful, skilled, and intelligent passing, plus clever stick control. Real Team-Play. A joy to see.
Up front, Emma Turner and Abbie Rimmington playing wide, stretched the North Notts’ defence, and were always a danger. Izzy Brackenbury and dynamo Captain Bethany Marshall covered an incredible amount of ground, back collecting passes, pushing energetically forward into the North Notts D.
Early on, a surprise award of a penalty corner against us, resulted in a goal against us. 0-1. No grumbles, just surprise, and the quality of our players shone through. We just picked ourselves up and got on with the job.
Experienced North Notts got fired up by taking the lead against the run of play. But Elizabeth Turner’s series of spectacular saves as keeper capably kept North Notts out, but still 0-1 and North Notts then put up their own defensive shutters.
Emma Turner cleverly got herself unmarked, and darted through to push the ball over the line to make it 1-1 by half time. Subtly spectacular. Big cheers from our supporters.
Bethany Marshall gave a pep talk at half time, aided by Jo Shaw as noted below. Eleanor Wallace was moved up at penalty corners to assist.
With tactical switches, South Notts started to recover dominance and control. In the last quarter, our superior fitness began to bite hard. Again.
Speedy Abbie Rimmington pierced the defence and slid one in. 2-1 to South, and North Notts rallied hard. But they crashed up against the formidable Eleanor Wallace, and Elizabeth Turner in her capable, vigorous, Top-Keeper form.
Competitive Emma Turner was not to be left behind and dashed in behind the North Notts’ defence to drill her second, to make it 3-1 shortly before the final whistle.
Coach’s U-18s prize to Emma Turner but our Team’s determination and fightback, from 0-1 down, was a credit to every single player.
League Stats so far, played 12, won 12, goals for 59, against 9.
League points 36, top. In second place are West Bridgford V’s with 25 points.
Thanks to our team supporters, welcomed as always, and who were in full volume, and thanks to Simon Recaldin for umpiring.
Points noted at half time:-
1. Our forwards tended to crowd the North Notts D in attack and thus made it easier for our slower opponents to bunch and defend. Keep it wide.
2. We do not need to “welly” every shot at goal or outfield. A well-directed and swift push or slap has greater and quicker impact. It means we will not get caught in possession. Which we were, occasionally.
3. When creating a through ball, do not hit it so hard that our forwards cannot collect it before it goes over their baseline.
4. Pass early, pass accurately, back up colleagues.
5. Keep the stick down when collecting a pass.
6. Read the game and adjust as needed. Communicate.
Euan Temple
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