Sonning Veterans 2 -2 Ladies 5s

Following on form our win last week the 5s seemed determind to prove it wasn't a fluke! But this week we were going up against a very experienced side with the Sonning Veterans. With only 1 colt on their team they are polar opposites to our team. We certainly had youth on our sides and with lots of subs we used that to our advantage.

From the start Maidenhead pressed forward, used our wings and within 5 minutes had our first short corner. But the Sonning Ladies showed their considerable experience to clear a great strike from Jess W away. We had a lot of the possession and some great runs by the 3 forwards (Sophie, Emily and Jess W) well backed up by our midfielders, Pippa, Lydia and Tori. Our change in forwards to Sam and TJ gave us more drive and they made the most of this. Sam made a run for D leaving the opposition in her wake, shot across goal and a nice tap in from TJ saw the ball sailing in to the goal. Great hockey!!!

Sonning hit back immediately and pushed up to our D slipped between gaps we'd left. Immie dived but the ball sailed past to it to birng it 1 all. This did not deter us 5s and we kept the pressue on against an older, more experienced side.

Our half time talk by Ruth was along the line of keep doing what you're doing. So we did. As we took to the pitch once again Sonning really put the pressure on and our defenders and Immie were really tested. Eventually one of these attempts slipped through and found the back of the net, despite our best efforts.

But the 5s didn't let it get them down, and no matter how much pressure they put on we kept our calm and more importantly our shape. Things on the pitch started were getting heated with a lot of stick tackles and shoving. But we made the most of these opportunities (free hits) by pushing for their D time and time again, we just didn't seem to have the finishing power. When we got a short (the last of 4) with minutes to spare it was decided that Sophie would push in and Jess D take the shot. And what a shot! It slipped past all of their defenders and goalie to hit in the right hand corner with utter precision. A perfect shot for which she won a well deserved Man of the Match and brought us to 2 all.

With only 2 minutes to go Sonning threw everthing at us, keeping the ball pinned in our half, trying for a win. There were a few uncertain moments, including 2 shorts in the last minutes and it was with utter relief to hear the final whistle. An even match and good result.