Ladies 1st Team Vs Durham University

This week had been tough for the team with regards to losing players due to a couple of players retiring and the announcement of Vice Captain Fran McKinnon’s pregnancy (congratulations!). As a result, this created the opportunity for debuts in the National League for Sophie Harris and Victoria McAllister, alongside the newly promoted Vice Captain, Sophie Aspinall.

By the time Saturday came, it was an early start for the 12 players for the drive up to the top of league team, Durham. On the way there, we were hoping the hockey would be better than the weather! Having being so close to getting points last weekend, Boots were confident we could give the University team a run for their money. For the first half, Boots’ press worked brilliantly and Durham could not easily get the ball out of defence. Both teams had strong periods of play and created chances, but neither took the advantage. At a goalless half time, Andy’s team talk made the Boots girls come out fighting. Strong attacks on the break must have worried Durham as we were getting closer and closer to securing a goal. Unfortunately, an over-excited tackle left Boots with 10 players and awarded Durham with a short corner. A perfectly placed straight strike from the top of the D put Durham into the lead. Boots fought back and won a couple of short corners with no prevail. Slowly gaps began to appear in the press and, as smugly quoted by the Durham coach that they had “sussed us”, Durham took advantage and was awarded another short corner. A straight strike deflected off a defender’s stick and hit the crossbar, which fell straight back on to the penalty spot and in front of a Durham player for them to tap it in. Boots continued to press and have strong attacks, yet still without a goal behind them to back up how well they were playing. Within the final minutes, Durham was awarded with another short corner. Again, they opted for the straight strike and with questionable umpiring were awarded the goal. Which also nearly resulted in a card for Boots’ goalkeeper as the shot was over the back board, which would usually be disallowed, yet the umpire was adamant it had taken a deflection. This was the final action of the game and the score finished 3-0.

The score most definitely does not reflect the game and week by week, the team are improving immensely. There are plenty of positives to take from this game and morale is remaining high. We came off the pitch knowing we had put everything into that performance and were disappointed with the result. We are no way out of the running as points are close at our end of the table. We are remaining positive and on to next week at the Bay against Stourport. Come down and support!