Hockey – 2nd XI vs Mayfield 2nd XI

This match was a closely contested one, both teams were similarly matched, so it could have gone either way. Mayfield got an early goal, we were floating off our players and gave them too much space, so it was forward vs goalie with no opposition, an easy chance to score, which they did. We looked a bit rusty after half-term so now had to switch on. Defenders started marking more tightly (Mbali, Jasmine, Mollie, Tiah, Izzy) and closing down space to limit those balls getting into the D and attackers had woken up. The attacking play started to flow better and we were finding chances to get the ball through and into their D. Aimee got an early chance, her vs goalkeeper but unfortunately missed but we knew it wouldn’t be long before she found the back of the net. Bea, Saffron and Alicia in midfield were making some lovely balls through the defence and getting it through to our forwards – Alice, Aimee and Molly. Aimee capitalised on her next chance and blasted the ball in with a hit, an amazing goal to bring us level. The play in the second half of the first quarter was much better and we were dominating but it could just take a sneaky turnover to put us on the backfoot again. Mayfield scored another goal early in the second half, similar to their first, defender unmarked, easy shot at goal. We started to fight back and a long ball from Mbali at the back into the C, then offloaded to Alicia on the right who did the perfect pass into the D, next goal scored, another fantastic goal. It was now level. We had a few more chances at goal and managed to keep Mayfield mainly in our attacking half, however they did get a few balls through us and were looking dangerous but Cindy Li in goal made some epic saves and defence were clearing the ball out of the danger zone. The match finished 2-2, a fair result against a solid opponent.

POM – Bea Ansell

Coache’s player – Mbali – for doing great long balls from the back to get the ball high up the pitch and physical defending the in the D