Ladies 1 vs Saffron Walden 2

Hello happy HHCers - here we are fresh out of slip week with a grudge match that awaited vs the team one place below us. Saffron Walden.

In the build up: 

• NBN had texted super early in the week to get Isla’s transport sorted, so no stresses there
• Kim’s sniper eye (yes singular, the other one apparently “only” 20/20) was fixed and so she was back in the squad
• We were worried for a bit that our ginger ninja wouldn’t feature due to a nasty sickness bug , but with a quick recovery she was also back in the line up. 
• Even more exciting , much missed Chloe was back

Oooo it feels good this week. Real good.

The team talk was serious, a loss was not an option. The miniature cones were out, Coach Bob didn’t crack a smile, the room was silent. Game on.

First psychological point to us. We took their dug out. They weren’t impressed. Didn’t fight us for it. Good start. 

Second psychological point to them…. They had about 100 players, many of them looking about 15 years old. Young ‘uns. Lots of energy. Mmm ok. Some graft is going to be needed here. 

Our first push back and we were solid from the off, Donna effectively plugging the middle , giving some great distribution to our wingers Lily and Nats. Bryony was dangerous in her forward position with silky stick skills that dazzled everyone in and around the D. The 1-2s and overloads we had been drilling in training were paying off as we made our way down the pitch multiple times causing their box set up in midfield all sorts of problems. It was feeling and looking very good. 

To their credit though, they had some very nifty forwards and they created some good play of their own resulting in short corner opportunities.

One particular corner, was well injected and the striker was lining up for a decent shot but our ginger ninja wasn’t having it. Showing full commitment she threw her body in front of it resulting in a very stingy thigh impact. That’s gotta hurt. (For those interested,  the bruise is REALLY good) . That ball isn’t going in this goal Walden, not today.

We continued with our energy and drive, with Sophia making cracking runs, pulling their defensive line all over the shop. Today’s ultimate oppo nightmare though was Nats. With precision accuracy and ultimate composure she continually picked balls from under the feet of the keeno-teenos as well as playing great pass after great pass allowing us to continue dangerously up the pitch. 

Despite our incredible efforts though, a goal eluded us.

Half time 0-0

It’s encouraging. Very encouraging. Lots of enthusiasm. Lots of good hockey. Bryony provided high sugar content snacks that delighted all and with the momentum building it felt like we were in for a win. We needed a goal. 

Second half, we knew they would come at us hard and they did. Creating some great 1-2s of their own. Their mids seemed to wake up and supported their forwards much better leading to plenty of overload opportunity and many a short corner. Their aggression was higher though and after falling over resorted to appealing to the umpire.” She pushed me umpire” , uh oh… Ginge wasn’t happy. “Erm excuse me, I absolutely did not push you, YOU fell over my stick” was the retort. Umpire concurred, play resumed. (With Ginge still livid many minutes later.)

By this time, we were getting tired, their continual rotations were starting to take its toll and those of us who are *ahem* marginally older, were starting to feel our age. The juniors kept at it though with Amelie steaming down the right, Cailin creating some great link up play, Isla showing great strength and Lily and Chloe running rings around the oppo. We stuck at it and despite a few short corners given against us, we kept them out. We weren’t conceding today.

A goal must be on the cards for the HHC L1s I hear you cry but sadly, despite many promising chances (including a beautifully lifted shot by Donna that just sailed past the far post) we just couldn’t score either and the game ended 0-0.

A hard earned point from a really gritty game. 

Player of the match : Nats with an abundance of votes. Well done 

Dunce of the day: Kim for having zero control over her end of the table during fines due to a “sugar spike” 

Admin note: for any other teams playing away to Saffron Walden this season, the showers are ******* freezing.