Ladies 2

L2: Reading 1 Amersham & Chalfont 4 14/10/2007

The 2’s travelled to South Reading Leisure Centre for their ‘home’ match against Amersham & Chalfont without Captain Craven’s on pitch leadership due to a crook back (50p), although her support from the sideline was invaluable.

Despite a solid warm up Reading started slowly and struggled to get the ball out of defence early on, and AC came close to opening their account from an attempt that appeared to come off the inside of the post and squirt across the goal mouth. In the end though it was Reading that scored first with a fine finish from close range courtesy of Jen Sweeney.

AC reapplied the pressure once again from the start, and with several dubious decisions rattling some Reading players it was not suprising that AC pressed their advantage with several short corners, one of which they scored from – despite the ball appearing to be kicked in the goal. The awarded goal was the catalyst for outbursts from several Reading players, and we were fortunate that only Craven on the sideline was sternly spoken to by the Cupcake, and we remained at eleven players.

Readings outrage and lapse in concentration allowed AC to score twice more, and we quickly found ourselves 3-1 down within a whirlwind 5 minutes. Reading regained composure and upped their game considerably, dominating all over the pitch and were unlucky not to get one back when Jenjer hit the outside of the goal with a rasping strike after shimmying around the keeper.

After wise and inspirational words from Craven at half-time, we started the second half as we finished and displayed some fine hockey. AC kept the pressure up and only some fine saves by keeper Sarah Gowers kept up in touch. Despite some excellent play we were unable to find the net and a bobbling deflection from a short corner saw us slip to the final score of 4-1.

Despite our first ‘home’ loss of the season there was some excellent hockey played, with the strength, dedication and commitment of the young(ish) side a pleasing sign of things to come.

Reading travel to bottom of the table Milton Keynes next week, and despite our poor away form must surely fancy all three points on offer.

Team: Sarah, Mel, Evans, Izzy, Tina, Sues, Sara, Maz, Alex, Fran, Jen, Tessa, and Jenjer.

MOTM: Alex – a fantasic debut! Although special mention should go to Izzy who played an excellent match somehow through her hangover!!

Support Staff: Sarah, Craven and our noisy ‘home’ crowd of Taff & Em!

Quote of the Day: “Dont appeal - if you appeal it means you have done something wrong” - Cupcake the umpire