LATEST MATCH REPORT: LADIES 1A XI

Ladies 1as VS Epsom 27/01/07

The first league game back after the Christmas break and the pressure was on. Vice Captain Anya's pre-match chat drilled in the fact that we could potentially be relegated (!?!) and we needed to pull something special out of the bag. So in true trooper style we rose to the challenge and, undeterred by the squad's large number of ill-fated injuries, stepped onto the pitch driven to 'kick some butt'.

Our initial determination didn't convert into champagne hockey as quickly as intended however and instead it was Epsom who started off guns a'blazing. A number of threatening breaks and some crafty passes left us looking a tad dishevelled. Luckily though Liz was on splendid form and diving all over the shop pulled off save after save. The defence were equally impressive and made defending shorties look like a walk in the park.

As the half continued we began to ease our way into the match and a few speedy attacks showed how threatening we could be. Just as we began to up our play though a few sneaky passes from the oppo threw us for six and the first goal was scored. Thankfully the ump was one step ahead of the game and his 20:20 vision spotted a dirty foul, much to our relief the goal was disallowed. This scare whipped us into gear and off the back of our new found confidence we executed some magical hockey moments. Despite never quite converting this magic into a goal, by the end of the first half Epsom were well aware that we were not to be taken lightly.

The second half is traditionally the 1As 'best bit' but in a bout of lucky manoeuvring Epsom managed to score 10 minutes into the second half. Being true professionals though we didn't let our heads go down and battled on. Our determination paid off and 5 minutes later we delivered: a cracking ball into the D from Val was polished off with perfect precision by Lucy B. The 1As were back in the game! Despite pulling off inspiring moment after inspiring moment throughout the rest of the match we failed to convert another and the game ended a very respectable 1 - 1.

Lots of well wishes to all those injured souls.

Man of the Match: Anna W-J

D*ck of the Day: Anna W-J!

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