Ladies 1st XI Vs Beeston 7

South Nottingham Ladies 1st XI came up against the mighty bees from Beeston. Speed of movement, and excellent stick-skills by both teams was much admired. But the inspired and better Teamwork of South Notts created the honey for us.

The two sides attacked very differently. Beeston had 11 individuals playing as 11, and relied on a bit of physical presence and lots of sharp breakaways. South Notts attacked with exceptional speed and putting into operation several of our pre-planned tactics from Thursday trainings. Steady and consistent, worked a treat. Well done.

What was particularly noticeable was when we perceived a serious block in an attack, we looked around and passed the ball back to one of our players who was unmarked. Who then distributed the ball wide and helped our penetration marvellously. To Beeston’s discomfort

What was also evident was that the level of our match fitness at this stage of the season is much higher than in recent years. That must be because now we have been promoted to a higher Division in the League, we have had to raise our game at all levels.  Any mistakes are pounced on by our opponents. And we are coping very well.

In the absence of regular keeper Elizabeth Turner, jet-propelled forward Gemma Robinson put on unaccustomed pads, and kept a clean sheet. Brilliantly, with stern and capable authority.

Next line of defence was Eleanor (They shall not pass) Wallace. Bobbing and weaving, giving a steady flow of instructions for midfield and forwards, with unshakeable determination to shut down attacks and to help protect Gemma in goal. A real Captain’s performance, leading by example

Sophie  (Tiger) Runciman showed exceptional flair, skill and speed. Back helping defence, up in midfield to support our attacks. Astute Louise (Poacher) Price, back from injury, was eating up the miles in running up the pitch and back. Quite made the spectators tired to watch and admire! Fiona (Greyhound) Sweetman was doing the same, watching, moving with anticipation, the ultimate safe pair in a crisis. And there seemed to be a lot of them this weekend!

Our defenders and midfield all competed ferociously at defensive breakdowns, when Beeston were trying to pile through. A very exciting match to watch, and this kept our spectators on their toes. The family of Evie Bates was out supporting in force, plus James Hewitt, and the evergreen Ray Stamper. Full match analyses, updated by them every few minutes!

There was regular switching of positions, which not only unsettled the opposition but ensured that we always had players back to help in defence and then to set off attacks by our capable forwards

Caroline (the Incomparable) Brackenbury gradually wrested control of midfield from a highly competent and adroit Beeston side. Rose (the Crafty) Cartwright used not only her speed and strength, but used clear practical intelligence in helping the team to penetrate the “closed barn door” approach of Beeston defenders.  The Beeston goalkeeper had a brilliant day.

Sammy (the Arrow) Markwick kept homing in athletically on any weak points  of Beeston. She was always there to collect a rushed (or any) clearance by Beeston and to keep up our attacking pressure  by arrowing into sudden gaps. Lucy (the Strike Force) Lloyd proved a real pain to Beeston defenders by slipping into cleverly created gaps; she always threatened, as usual, her ability to get the ball into the Beeston net. Rachael (the Unseen Raider) Grupping kept slipping out of Beeston’s perceptions and then appearing out of apparently nowhere, attacking the Beeston goal line with her usual style and panache. But the “closed barn door” held against us.  0-0 and all to play for.

Evie (Shooting Star) Bates forensically dismembered the Beeston defence time after time. There were occasions when she might have been shouldered off the ball. But now with her increased strength, they just bounced off Evie. With the benefit of clickety-click multiple passes and assists from and between Becky (Comet) Humphris and Sammy (the Arrow) Markwick, Evie rattled the Beeston backboard via Teamwork. 1-0 up. Phew. At last.

More highly productive Teamwork and cunning assists from Lucy (Strike Force) Lloyd, and Rose (Crafty) Cartwright, gave Becky Humphris an opening to poach. Jinking past a defender, and making sure the ball was over the Beeston goal line. 2-0 up.

Beeston roared back with increasing and constant pressure on Gemma in our goal.

Second half, Gemma was still holding out in goal. Rachael Grupping collected the ball on the run and slipped it cleverly through to Ruby (Rocket) Ryan on the right wing. A devastating centre from Ruby assisted Becky to slot another unstoppable goal, slightly against the run of play. This made it 3-0 up. But Beeston were “on song”. Increasingly highly dangerous. 

More assists from Sammy and Lucy sent Ruby rocketing up the wing again. Beeston were extra-marking Becky and Evie, so an inadequately marked Ruby ghosted in. Ruby went for the shot of the century, and deftly made it 4-0 to South Notts.

It is obvious that the strength of South Notts’ team as a whole was (and is) much greater than the sum of our separate parts. That was the clinching difference between the two sides.

Thanks go to Andy Wallace and club captain Neil Batty for their astute umpiring and masterly control over a good natured but highly competitive game.   Thanks also to Evie’s Dad for some superb match photos.