Ladies 1s 2 – 4 Tulse Hill & Dulwich (Away)
We came so close but …
This week the Ladies played top of the league Tulse Hill and Dulwich (THD). It nothing else this is always the journey from hell, through slow South London traffic, only made worse by not knowing if we were actually going to be frozen off or not. Unfortunately Kent hadn’t quite succumbed to the snow so on we trooped.
Fletch took on the role of Captaincy this week and what a great job she did, inspiring 11 players for the challenge. The start however didn’t exactly go to plan. THD were certainly drilled well and with subs on the bench they were able to put the defence through their paces, which meant for much of the first part of the first half we were being constantly driven back into our 25 to defend. Caz did a sterling job in goal showing no mercy and clearing our lines strongly but we could only hold off for so long and soon ended up 2-0 down. One from a short and one from open play! After settling down we seemed to find our game and started getting some shots on goals. Our increasing threatening play was easily measured by the frantic exasperated shouting of the oppo’s Captain at her own players… always fun to listen too!
After the half time break and a few jelly babies we attacked hard and it wasn’t long before we were awarded a short corner. Our now perfected, but highly guarded, short corner routine was executed with fine precision and wham bam we scored! 2-1. But hold on we didn’t stop there… soon afterwards Tonie took the ball from defence and ran the length of the pitch which resulted in Laura getting a shot on goal that was cleared into the path of Ems … and the second goal was in… 2-2! Honestly the squeals of excitement were equally matched by the cursing of THD.
The most gutting thing was that 5 minutes from time we let them come back at us. Driving to get the winner ourselves we pushed a little too high and we just couldn’t hold off their attacking surge … arghhh! We had defended so hard that the final result of 4-2 wasn’t a fair reflection. We played a sterling game, with a blinking great understrength team, and pushed THD to fight for the win.
Well played to everyone… Fletch for stepping up to lead the team and giving the poshest team talk I’ve ever heard but it did the trick; Caz for stepping into the keepers pads; Ems for donning the OC shirt (again!); Laura for never giving up; Toshky for her amazing shoulder height save; Jax for always being everywhere; Georgie for not getting carded; May for her amazing pace which makes us glad she’s on our side; Sophie for some cracking defensive work and Tonie for leaving the oppo in her wake as she broke from defence on the left.
Next game is on the 7th Feb at home @ 2.30pm followed by drinks, drinks, the sauna, some food and more drinks. I think there is some rugby on the TV too!!! Put it in the diary.