Ladies 1st XI Vs Nottingham Players 2

Captain Nell Wallace was unable to play so Jo (Barrier of the Pyrenees) Shaw as Vice-Captain took charge.  An inspirational pre-match pep talk reminded the squad that any loss of concentration or sloppy play would be pounced on by Players. We had to up our game, it would not be easy.  We needed to reinforce progress in recent weeks about playing as a Team; crisp, accurate passing and running into spaces to get unmarked. All vital.

As expected, Players quickly launched attacks into the South Notts half,  but the initial defensive team of Jo (Barrier of the Pyrenees) Shaw and Steph (the Wall)  Hagerty  saw them off. And kept seeing them off. Capably aided and abetted by Freya (Meteor) Beaumont, Fiona ( the Greyhound ) Sweetman and Liz (Fleet-Footed) Foster. Their perfect striking of the ball was a joy to see and hear, and the acceleration and speed of all five were awesome.

Steph (the Wall) Hagerty early on  pushed a ball wide up the left midfield, to be skilfully picked up on the run by   Louise (Poacher) Price who crossed it into the centre;  collected at speed by Sammy (the Arrow)  Markwick   who darted through for a first strike at the Players’ goal. Unsuccessful, but it was a great Team start to ramp up the pressure on our opponents.

Undeterred, Players started to set up counter-attacks and “Somewhat Inevitably”, found themselves having to just “Hope” to get past Caroline (the Incomparable) Brackenbury in centre-midfield.   Some Hope. But one Incomparable. “Somewhat Inevitably” they found play quickly being sent back into their own half and needing to sprint back to help to defend. Opening up opportunities for us.

Rose (the Crafty) Cartwright was key-instrumental in setting up more and more really creative play; shrewdly and smoothly moving the ball  sideways to an unmarked midfielder, or up into our forward line where Gemma (the Jet-Propelled) Robinson and Sammy (the Arrow) Marwick  kept lurking unmarked and who were a constant danger to Players.  Sophie (Tiger) Runciman was also moving swiftly (and almost unnoticed by our opponents) with crisp, thoughtful passes up, for our forwards ready to collect on the run. A real Team effort.

Ruby (Rocket) Ryan, too, in forward midfield, used her amazing speed to be up in attack support, and back in defence support. She managed a few bullet shots on goal herself, but these were all kept out by the Players’ keeper, who was having an excellent  game.

Our opponents started to creak a bit under this constant South Notts Team pressure and so gave away some stupid penalty corners. Up stepped Caroline the Incomparable,  to receive the usual fast  delivery from Ruby Ryan;  “Somewhat Inevitably”, Caroline, with neat footwork,  converted with two  brilliant strikes, to make the score 2-0  at half-time.

The second half started with Sophie (Swift to Pounce) Atkinson moving to a more suited position from the forward line, into right and centre midfield. In the first half, her speed and positioning were a constant thorn in the side of Players; but in the second half, her swift and perceptive reading of the game and her canny play-anticipation, really helped our Team to establish play-domination of our opponents.

Our opponents  were still sending long through balls into spaces behind South Notts midfield, but these were capably covered by Jo Shaw and Steph Hagerty; and midfields were seen to race back to assist. Caroline covered an immense amount of ground. Occasionally, Players managed to get into our D, but Elizabeth (They shall not pass) Turner in goal, swiftly sent them packing.  “Somewhat Inevitably”.

 Players now seemed to try to double-mark Caroline Brackenbury   but forgot about Sammy (the Arrow) Markwick for a split second. Like an Arrow, Sammy pierced the defence and rattled the opponents’ backboard. 3-0 to South Notts.  Gemma (the Jet Propelled) Robinson at centre-forward was doing the same, often, and was very unlucky not to score.  

 Then Sophie (Swift to Pounce) Atkinson took an opportunity to do the same from midfield. She delivered a brilliantly crisp, clean strike at our opponents’ keeper which went in. But it transpired that it had touched Caroline’s stick en route, so the goal went to Caroline for a well-deserved hat-trick. It is a good habit for the team to be known (and feared) for scoring hat-tricks regularly, and not all by the same player each week.

4-0 to South Notts,  final score.

Thanks were given to Neil Batty and Dick Simmons for umpiring  and so well.

Coach comments

The Thursday training sessions are clearly proving very worthwhile. It is good news that so early in the season  there is such a level of play-understanding between players, and an obvious desire in play,  to get unmarked,  ready to receive. And that team members are seeing that and using it.

Individual stick skills have improved and match fitness is getting better each week. It is noticeable that on being substituted, players coming off are running off, ready to go back on. No breathing difficulties. It is common to hear players strive for perfection, and this is excellent for the Team.