Ladies 1st XI Vs West Bridgford 4

The opening game of the season for our newly promoted South Notts Ladies 1st XI  was v West Bridgford 4th XI.

As expected, we met with stern (and highly capable) opposition. It became a highly-contested yet good-natured match.

We were lacking Elizabeth (They shall not pass) Turner in goal. Indeed we lacked any keeper at all.  So Captain Eleanor (Rock of Gibraltar) Wallace and Vice=Captain Freya (Meteor) Beaumont cooked up a Very Cunning Plan. And it worked A-Treat.

It was decided not to play a kicking-back, but to have 11 players out in the field with frequent switching of playing positions which helped to confuse our opposition markers. Plus substitutions.

This had a knock-on advantage in using this friendly match for Team training and development. Many of us were playing out of regular position, in order to be enabled to understand better the angles and the play issues facing other team members in other positions. It worked very well.

Eleanor welcomed back Lucy (Strike Force) Lloyd (formerly Metcalfe) after several years’ interval and welcomed new member Emma Roberts.

Lucy reminded us of her skills by poaching 3 goals in her first match back for us, with very clever assists from Rose (the Crafty) Cartwright, from Emma (Speedy Gonzales) Roberts and from Gemma (Jet-Propelled) Robinson. 3-0 up.

Emma (the Gazelle) Turner kept bounding at and breaking through the West Bridgford defence. Becky (Comet) Humphris was seen accelerating through a tiny gap to slot yet another sensational goal, 4-1 up.

Alex (The Spear) Stevenson sliced open the opponents’ defence with her admirable skills. Sophie (Swift to Pounce) Atkinson leapt on any loose play and as usual created valuable openings for our forward line.

 Freya (Meteor) Beaumont was up in attack and back tirelessly and speedily, helping in defence.

At the back, then, (but often further forward in cleverly switching positions) Liz (the Fleet-Footed) Foster was notable in her superb reading of the opposition tactics. Liz kept shutting down their frequent attacks and opening up our new attacking moves.  

Further back, Jo (Barrier of the Pyrenees) Shaw matched Liz in her splendid game anticipation. She repeatedly cut off their long through balls and her skilful tackling made life endlessly difficult for her opponents.

And last but by no means least, Eleanor (Rock of Gibraltar) Wallace played an exceptional multi-role. As Team Captain she was calling encouragement and instruction. As player, she was as ever, a Rock in defence. But to the surprise of some, she was noted gliding effortlessly up into midfield as an extra supporting player, and on hand for extra guidance to the team.  Wow and triple wow.

Notes below.

Notes by Euan

1 At this stage of the season, the level of our team fitness is deeply impressive. Clearly our summer-hockey outings and pre-season training have had great benefits.

2.We gelled together as a Team . Our running into spaces/gaps  to pick up, on the run, clever through passes . Particularly Emma Roberts, Emma Turner and Alex Stevenson. Becky Humphris of course  was heavily marked but regularly and neatly slipped the ball sideways to a lurking Rose Cartwright, Gemma Robinson,  or Sophie Atkinson. Always ready to take advantage.

3.We need to sort out a reserve goal-keeper in case Elizabeth Turner is unavailable.

4. A 4-1 victory. What a great positive start to the new season in a higher division. Highest Hopes.

Well done,  everyone