COWHC Ladies 1s vs Leatherhead Ladies 1s - 10th Nov 2018

Sometimes the allocation of MOM could be deemed highly unfair.. Especially when you are the one who picks up after the team - water bottle here, malik stick there!!! And what's the issue with bringing your washing along to dry.. Good use of time I say!

Anyhoo, it was a bright and sunny start to the day. The short drive to the pitch via the M25 meant Rachel and I were able to get a head start at practising our 'shooting' skills, a key part of a defences' ammunition. Rachel highlighted there was a high chance she may end up in the attacking D... a psychic some may say, as she DID find herself there during the 2nd half, and as practised, was an effective defender ;)

Sometimes L1 struggle to turn it on for the full 70 minutes.. We don't want to make it too easy! We started off very strong and had Leatherhead pinned back.. Lots of opportunities and we were slick in our movement. But then that dreaded 20mins when we switch off raised its ugly head - Leatherhead scored and we struggled to play our game! Sometimes they were just lucky, and sometimes we just didn't help ourselves.

BUT WE STUCK TOGETHER! We pushed for the last 5 minutes and there were hints we were regaining our momentum.

Our half time talk showed our commitment.. With three of the team wondering off to the wrong side at the start of the 2nd half as they were so engrossed in strategic discussions.

We started the 2nd half like we finished the 1st... We passed well and moved even better. An attacking play on the right, got us quickly in the D. We lost the ball but quickly regained possession with Hannah's effective pressure. Hannah was along the byline.. she shoots... goalkeeper went down..

Bang! The sound of the ball hitting the back board was the beginning of our fightback. Nobody but Hannah knows how it happened although there has been whispers that she had a ball in her pocket and threw it in the goal. But we'll take it!

From then on, we passed around the back, moved well, supported each other and created some impressive team moves.. We were playing OUR game! And it looked GOOD!

We'd taken a few short corners in the game now but had yet to challenge the GK. But not this time... we finally took our chance. The ball came to the top, passed to Lizzy on the right... came back to the left post and Becky was ready and waiting for a simple slot in!!! Woohooo!!! 2-1

Leatherhead tried to push back, and had a disallowed goal which was the correct call (Thank you to good umpiring). But overall, the 2nd half was OURs!

With solid Lisa P in goal, Netty & I controlling the centre back, and our attacking wing backs in LBell and Rachel.. We had a formidable defence. Lizzy and Becky were the diamond in the rough, Naila and Poppy gave great options in space.. Amanda, Dicko and Bryony giving good dimension. And Hannah, well.. thanks for bringing that spare ball with you ;)

A special mention to Naila, our new player who claims she has not played for years.. We don't believe her!!!

Thank you to Martin for umpiring. POM votes were LBell 0.5; Lizzy 1.5; Rachel 1.5; Lena 4.5:

But with 5 POM Votes = Hannah the 'I can do a boot camp before the game and still smash it!' Hamilton!

And for the record.. Hannah's goal was impressive.. Goalkeepers beware - you give her an inch, she will take a goal!