Ladies 1st XI Vs Ashfield Aztecs 4

Report 18 February 2023  for club

 South Nottingham HC   

Ladies 1  v  Ashfield Aztecs

Captain Eleanor Wallace led out our team on a fine clear day at Bingham Leisure Centre  to do battle with Ashfield Aztecs, a doughty opponent.

Some among us remember the famous County Cup semi Final  against Aztecs when a hot contest ended 0-0 at full time, two periods of extra time 0-0, six penalty shoot outs 0-0 and then our very own Mel (Crunch-Tackle) Park stepped up to  show us all how it should be  done:  1-0.  And Mel was back on the touchline today to cheer us on and catch up on club news.  Others were away on half term breaks   but had sent messages of support.

Along with Elizabeth (They shall not Pass) Turner, and  one of our past stars Olivia (  Tornado Express) Wallace, were followed later by  our next-on Men’s team, massive volume  cheers led by Club Captain Neil Batty and Club Chairman Simon Recaldin. Also in our Supporters Box were the grandfather and father of Evie (the Shooting Star)  Bates, giving her a running commentary of helpful advice (but Evie said later that  she  was too far away to hear!). Wonderful support and thank you all.

Brisk pre-match  pep-talk by Eleanor  (Rock of Gibraltar)   Wallace with an emphasis on developing and improving inter-play against what was expected to be  a formidable side. She re-emphasised our need to play wide.   Use our wing spaces  to the full.  Our tactical plan must be to continue to create “possession hockey”. Clickety-click, short, accurate passes, keeping possession.  Aztecs are  always swift to pick up a loose ball.

Because of rolling subs, not everyone below, was on the pitch at the same time.

Stepping up as courageous volunteer today with the keeper’s pads was the valiant Jo (normally “Barrier of the Pyrenees” but today also “They shall not pass) Shaw. It can only be guessed how much she scared the opposition but she certainly looked scary to the spectators.  Jo  kept a tight control of her D area very well indeed.

In front of Jo were Eleanor Wallace, Fiona (the Greyhound) Sweetman, Steph (the Wall ) Hagerty, and Liz (the Fleet-Footed) Foster. Sturdily shutting down the persistent Aztec attacks, and always beating them to pick up any loose ball that had the temerity to come into their range.

Their speed and acceleration reminded one of the male spectators   to say that “once upon a time” he was as quick as that but  his unkind colleagues of the time  thought that this was a rose-tinted memory!

In midfield,  Sophie (Tiger) Runciman  started to assert control, brilliantly, despite being harassed by agile  Aztecs.   Aided and abetted by Freya (the Meteor)  Beaumont  and Katrina (the Shrewd) Franklin who were tireless in their midfield activity  and helping to push up to goal. But Aztecs did not surrender control of midfield to us ; they contested every ball. Every time.

Up front,  we had Gemma (the Jet-Propelled)  Robinson, Evie  (the Shooting Star) Bates, Ruby  ( the Rocket)  Ryan, Rose (the Crafty) Cartwright, and the inevitable Becky (Comet). Wow, and did these Wonders of the Hockey World give Aztecs a hard time!

We opened up the score-line with Gemma Robinson speeding in (silently and unnoticed) on the left to the far post and crisply tapping in a loose clearance. 1-0 and we were on our way. Then Aztecs counter-attacked and scored two quick breakaway goals 1-2 down and they were on their way!

Then Katrina Franklin shrewdly shimmered up from left midfield. She drilled in our second to make it 2-2 and all to play for. The clever play of Ruby Ryan was a joy to behold, as she rocketed down the wing, cut inside, slipped the ball sideways  to a hoped-for unmarked colleague, causing mayhem in the Aztecs’ defence, Brilliant.  And the unending and varied skills of Gemma, Rose, Evie and Becky left spectators full of admiration.

Aztecs turned up the heat but at half time the many superb saves by Jo Shaw had kept the score to 2-2.

In the second half, some spectators observed that play was tending to move to the centre-line, up and down, and to the right wing.  We were helping Aztecs’  defence by crowding in that area and  not using our wing spaces to the full.   Equally they were making it easier for us.  Then a quick succession of goals, two by Aztecs and one (snaffled from the left again) by Evie Bates. 3-4 and the minutes ticked away.

Our supporters grew in number and  cheering  by our supporters increased. Much valued.

Then Aztecs failed for mere seconds to mark Becky, who took advantage, sped in and  rifled one home  to equalize  4-4 just as the “2 minutes to go signs” were being made.  Phew. Well done, everyone! Our team has scored 98 goals so far this season and stays top of our League Division.

Thanks were given to Elliott Dixon and Dan Pearson for their umpiring.