Ladies 1st XI Vs Nottingham Ladies

Match report

31.10.20 South Notts Ladies v Nottingham  HC  Ladies

There is nowhere like Goosedale Farm, Bestwood Village, when the weather is cold, rainy and windy. We are told there is nothing protective between Goosedale  and Siberia!

Caroline Brackenbury organised at short notice a friendly non-league game  for us v Nottingham HC Ladies. Thank you, Caroline.  So far, our team has let in no league goals this season.

Captain Eleanor Wallace led us out in the teeth of a biting wind, noting that our keeper Elizabeth “Rock of Gibraltar” Turner was the only one well wrapped up.

Eleanor welcomed back last year’s team captain Beth Marshall who is away studying at Uni. But it proved not to be Beth but her identical twin sister who is now incredibly fast, skilful and athletic. Also called Beth, just to confuse us. But still displayed the same forceful driving skills in the forward line.

Caroline Brackenbury started at once to control the midfield, ably supported by the ‘Speedy Gonzales’ Ruby Ryan,  plus a Nottm player as guest,  as we were one short.  Unfounded rumour has it that the GB Olympic Team for 2021 in Tokyo want Ruby as their lead sprinter, but  our coach says that our club’s needs are greater!

The powerful  back line of Mel (“take no prisoners”) Park,  the vigorous Sophie (“they shall not pass”)  Runciman and the athletic Freya Beaumont,  with Eleanor Wallace capably and sternly  controlling defence as  sweeper,  played as smoothly and efficiently as  a Rolls Royce, but perhaps stayed at times  a bit too far back  from the players up front.

Midfield  created, by excellent teamwork,   swift attacks on the Nottingham goals  which yielded early scores from  forwards Emma  Turner (like a hot knife through butter, on the left) and Izzy Brackenbury  (hard, accurate crosses from the right), and our able Nottingham HC Guest in midfield.    Half time 3-0 up.

But structural gaps were developing between our forward line and our backline defence.  Midfield were a bit too close in support of our forwards  (at times, there seemed to be six of us in their D)  which gaps put a stress on our back line.  Hence the welcome goals, but there were dangers.

After half time Nottingham re-grouped and attacked.  Their entire forward line suddenly got behind our midfield strength and raced to our now too-distant back line.  Elizabeth Turner showed her mettle but was put under unusual stress. Two quick goals by Nottingham made it 3-2 and all to play for. Caroline Brackenbury regrouped to win back control of midfield and scorched in a splendid goal to make it 4-2 and that was how it stayed.

Thanks to Dick Simmons for umpiring and to Tom Pitsillos and Tom Fletcher, club players, who came specially  to give vocal support.  Much appreciated.

season’s results to date:

Played 5   won 2, drawn 2, lost 1.

goals for 7,   goals against 7,   

Coach’s tips on structure

Individual and team play were excellent, massive effort by all, but by way of perception,  improvements could be made to “structure”.

The line-up was

Goalkeeper

  Sweeper

3 backline

3 midfield

3 forwards

Not playing wide and so bunching in the centre line   

When attacking,   the line-up seemed to be

Goalkeeper

                                                                                Sweeper

3 backline

0 midfield   to pick up clearances by their defenders

6 forwards

This could have been eased by the backline  moving a bit further forward,  and when defending, midfield dropping back faster  to slow down the opposition attacks.