Ladies 5's against the top of the league

This week we knew we were playing top of the league but we went into our game focused and ready.

Thame had first push back and started out strong and very fast pace. They moved the ball well between them and pushed hard up our left hand side which seemed to been left open. The drove into the D and scored their first goal. We fought back and managed to get up into their D, we tried for a goal but they overpowered us and came quickly back into our D. We did a lot of running in this half, which really tired us out, and they managed to keep the game play in our D.

We had 1 defensive short corner and with Jess and Pippa running out hard and Hayley and Helen on the posts along with Kiera it was quickly cleared from the D. Unfortunately we were all tired and Thame took advantage of this meaning when the whistle went for half time we were 5-nil down.

We had a good chat at half time, agreeing to draw a line on the first half and looking to win the second half. We changed to playing 4 4 2, to play a more defensive game.

Team talk done we focused ourselves and got ready for the second half. Our push back and we came out strong and determined. We tried hard to man mark the players and called for help when we could see players free, especially in the D.
We defended hard to keep out multiple attempts and also had a few breaks of our own. Unfortunately Thame manage to score one more goal.
They had 2 shorts which once again were well defended by all. We were determined not to loose this half and then a lovely long ball up the pitch from Jess at the back got up to Sophie who passing it across the D and Maddie helped it to find the back of the net. Yes just what we needed 1-1 now!

Spured by this goal we pushed hard, we had several more attempts and got the ball up to their D, unfortunately not managing to gain another goal but also not allowing Thame to score anymore.

When the final whistle went we were all exhausted but glad to have ‘drawn’ the second half.

Final score was 6-1 to Thame.

It was one of the hardest matches we have played in a long time and I am so happy how everyone worked so hard and listened to everything said at half time.

We were just disappointed not to have got any short corners after practicing with Bex on Thursday!

There were several names for Man of the Match but it was a joint win this week for Helen and Kiera who both very much deserved it.

Captain Pippa