WH&E L1 1 : 2 Hendon & Mill Hill L1

First match back after Christmas against Hendon & Mill Hill 1s but actually you couldn’t quite tell how much turkey and chocolates the Ladies 1s had eaten over the festive period as we came out fighting. With no subs and a month break from hockey, our tactics were to let the ball do most of the work…

But the adrenaline kept us going. We had many near misses early on that kept us hopeful and we kept pushing for more. Hendon were also fighting too, though and a short corner in the first half gave them the upper hand and sent them 1-0 up.

However, we retaliated in the 2nd half with a beautiful ball in from Samantha Lucy which was put in the back of the goal from an excellently placed Karen Smith. Unfortunately we then had a moment, left one of their players free in our D to send them 2-1 up.

Then more drama as we defend and accidentally stop a ball on the goal line to create a penalty flick opportunity for the opposition. So here we go, Charlotte vs Hendon Captain. The moment is tense. This could be a deal breaker. Everyone goes silent. The striker takes the ball…SAVED!!! Man of the match decided in that moment. An amazing save, and not the only one in the match. A dramatic dive to save a strike earlier in the match was also magical.

The match ended 2-1. A tough one but we know what we need to work on.

Dick of the day to Sarah E-Q due to when she was hit in the nose with the ball and we stopped time for her, she was more concerned about the fact she hadn’t turned on her Fitbit yet ?

WH&E L2 0 – 0 Eastcote L5

The ladies 2s first game back was a positive affair just lacking that “eye of the tiger” attitude. We played well for 90% of the pitch, especially Romy who had a blinding game as right back – new shoes, new stick – thank you Santa! Unfortunately, the 10% was all in their D and we couldn’t put away some excellent chances from Charlotte and Kate.

On the plus side we didn’t let any in, even with the highly experimental defending of short corners, which almost gave me (Lisa) a heart attack.

All in all, 0-0 was a disappointing but fair result.

No men’s matches this week – the M1s return to action on 12th January and the M2s on the 19th.