Ladies 1st XI Vs Newark 2

Captain  Eleanor (Rock of Gibraltar) Wallace and her team sprinted out on to the pitch for our Away match v Newark Ladies. Noisy cheers from South Notts’ supporters ,

Captain Eleanor assembled her troops and welcomed the following  South Notts Sensations, All-Stars all:- Vice-Captain Freya (Meteor) Beaumont, Elizabeth (They shall not Pass) Turner, Becky (Comet) Humfris,  Twinkle-toed Lucy (Strike Force) Lloyd, (Lightning)Liv Biddulph, Evie (Shooting Star) Bates, Jo (Barrier of the Pyrenees) Shaw, Ruby (Rocket )Ryan, (Electrifying) Ella Pearce and Fiona (Greyhound) Sweetman) .

 (Electrifying) Ella Pearce turned out, if only to remind sternly to Mere Males that she needed no “disrespectful” Lip from them as her voice last week was hardly audible. But her voice is now back in full strength, no longer the “quiet and shy” (not) Ella! Back on the pitch, as devastating as ever. Very glad to see her recovery.

Ruby (Rocket) Ryan was welcomed back from her Royal Navy Reservist training weekend. Rachael (the Unseen Raider) Grupping, was absent on hospital duties and Louise (Poacher) Price is now back at home after her hospital stay. Alex (the Spear) Stephenson is absent in the USA. 

Caroline (the Incomparable) Brackenbury, Samantha (the Arrow) Markwick, Sophie (Swift to Pounce)Atkinson, Sophie (Bounding Leopardess) Runciman, Gemma (Jet-Propelled) Robinson, Liz (Fleet Footed) Foster, Steph (the Wall) Hagerty,  (Stellar ) Claire Stuttard and Jo (Foxy ) Foxhall were all absent on family duties.

But the All-Stars Sensations have strength in depth, “Fire in the tummy and Ice between the Ears”, so there was cautious optimism about trying to remind ourselves what the Newark goal backboard looks like! Close up. When dented by one of Becky’s “pile-drivers”.

Eleanor had taken the Team on a vigorous pre match work out, but spectators noticed that we had at that time initially only ten players. Delayed Fiona Sweetman arrived at speed just in time (Phew) for the usual pre-match brisk pep-talk by Eleanor (with an emphasis on developing and improving our inter-play.

Eleanor 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. Instilling a deep sense of team purpose in everyone.

Newark are always very swift to pick up and chase a loose ball. Also in a tackle, if we miss total success, follow up the tackle. Don’t let go.   

Because of rolling subs, not everyone below, was on the pitch at the same time nor in the same position. This made it very hard for Newark to deal effectively with player to player marking.

Stepping up with the keeper’s pads today was the formidable Elizabeth (“They shall not pass”) Turner.  The door to Elizabeth’s goal was Firmly Shut. Her sterling work in commanding her D so capably and with such female authority is always much admired.

A brilliant piece of home dominance with Eleanor (Rock of Gibraltar) Wallace buzzing around the Newark attacks like an irritant hornet.

In front of Eleanor were Freya (Meteor) Beaumont and Jo (Barrier of the Pyrenees) Shaw. Jo Shaw’s stick-work and ability to turn an opponent’s attack into creating one of our own, was notable. And Freya’s opponent must have been disheartened by Freya’s close-marking, effectively shutting down her opponent.

Newark, a very experienced team, kept up their remorseless attacks on our goal line. What they found disconcerting was the speed and creativity of our defenders in setting up counter-attacks out of Newark’s cleverest moves.  “Teamwork Rules”.

 As a Team we have a great squad, a wealth of talent, and together, with shared purpose, we are able to achieve things beyond the sum of our separate parts.

In Midfield, nimble, twinkle-toed Lucy (Strike Force) Lloyd ranged wide and began to assert her capable control over the play-making. Whenever Newark passed the ball across midfield, Lucy just “happened” to be there nearly every time, to cut it off.  Lucy was helped by Fiona (Greyhound) Sweetman, plus moving-up playing when needed, Jo Shaw and Freya Beaumont, plus our forwards coming back to be visible to receive passes. Driving, driving, driving, much to the repeated discomfort of our opponents

We do not usually attain that high level of teamwork till nearer Christmas, wonderful to see.

All of Midfield’s clever readings of the game enabled them to be assisting in Defence, in Midfield to be shutting down attacks, and to be up creating opportunities in support of our Forward line. Their thoughtful, dynamic, intelligent play showed their skilled field-craft. .Ceaseless, purposeful motion by all.

But Newark did not surrender control of Midfield to us; they contested every ball. Every time. And Newark had an experienced defence, with very capable plans to try to stop us scoring.

Up front were Becky (Comet ) Humfris, Evie (Shooting Star) Bates, (Lightning) Liv Biddulph, (Electrifying) Ella Pearce, and Ruby (Rocket Ryan). Spectators had planned to get a press-destined photo of the Rocket at full speed, but cameras do not work fast enough. Just a blur on the screen! Another high

We opened up with a pre-planned tactic on the Newark goal, which worked perfectly and as Becky (Comet) Humfris broke through at speed, we were quickly 1-0 up. Just a few minutes into the match.

The South Notts supporters on the touchline this season are regularly suffering palpitations with great highs and lows, as matches ebb and flow, just as no doubt the Team players are. This was one of the Highs.

A bit later, a melee in the Newark D squirted the ball out to Becky who saw in the blink of an eye, a tiny opening. Becky sliced through it flawlessly and rattled their backboard, 2-0. Another High.

But Newark gathered themselves, roared back, cut our defence, and scored a blistering goal. 2-1 and all to play for. Palpitations rose in the spectators. Possibly a worrying low.

But South’s will and dynamism is still there, strongly showing our team’s personality and character.

Then Lucy (Strike Force) seriously pulled a hamstring and had to hobble off. Newark sensibly took advantage of an extra player and at half time it was still 2-1 but only just.

As the second half started, Evie (Shooting Star) Bates showing her shimmering speed quality, then from her, after beating their defence on the inside, a sensational opportune bullet pass out to Ruby on the wing. Ruby dazzled inside and thumped the ball into the Newark Goal. 3-1. Phew. A High.

Undeterred, Newark set off on their own vigorous responses. A quick break in the centre, a long through ball, and they swung the ball about with commendable efficiency. Until they encountered our sturdy defenders who were all showing real hunger for the ball. Greyhound Fiona was outstanding in her defensive efforts, not only in tackling but in post-tackling.

Then Eleanor received a green card warning and was suspended for 2 minutes. We were down to 9 players, so wonderful trooper that she is, Lucy took a deep breath and hobbled back on. Great Team Spirit.

Undeterred, our All-Star South Sensations regrouped, in these adverse circumstances and with Eleanor calling the shots, (Lightning) Liv Biddulph showed high-quality field-craft as she kept breaking through at speed, dipping and twisting evasively. She slipped the ball sideways to Evie (Shooting Star) Bates who with subtle swaying and darting, kept giving opponent defenders a continual real headache. As usual. Still 3-1 to South.

Newark were “on fire” to gain control of the game, scored another to make it 3-2. And kept peppering Elizabeth (They shall not Pass), with so many balls it seemed like a snowstorm. But they kept being sent back to think again.

 South matched this in good measure by being “aflame” with determination; not only to attack, but to keep attacking and not to sit back inside a comfort zone.

Our Midfield and Defence were almost interchangeable in defence and attack. Always in position to showcase their many talents. And hobbling Lucy (temporarily not nimble) read the game so cleverly that even suffering her injury, she was brilliantly out-thinking our opponents.

By this time Will Honey of the South Notts spectators had been joined by Evie’s Dad and family and Eleanor’s Dad and family. Welcome noisy support.

Up front, Electrifying Ella was everywhere that Newark did not want, and showcased her wonderful ability to chop from foot to foot and to drive pass puzzled opponents

With great Teamwork, the brilliance of Rocket Ruby was unleashed. She scored two more to make it a hat trick for her, and 5-2 was the final score

Well done, everyone. The match was more even than the score line suggests, but we had the better teamwork. Thanks also to our loyal noisy band of loyal supporters.