COWHC Ladies 2s vs Clapham Common - 28th Oct 2017

So the Ladies 2nds arrived keen and ready to take on the might of Clapham Common in the first round of the Cup. Some players were not so keen after hearing that this was the team that won the Cup last year and are flying high 3 divisions above us but we would still give them a run for their money.

We had a good warm up and it was during our positive team talk by the captain Vicky that the oppo turned up to the pitch - all 16 of them!

We keenly got onto the pitch ready for the whistle to go to get the game under way wondering how the oppo would play. We found out within 2 minutes when we conceded our first goal. All of the team I think it fair to say were shell shocked by this start. But once we knew the speed the oppo played at we gave as good as we possibly could. Unfortunately after only about 10 minutes or so it seemed clear that this was going to be more of a game of collateral damage and to see how many times we could actually get the ball out of our own half.

At half time the score was 4-0 (can someone check this...DN soubds about right - had stopped counting) and we went off at half time totally and utterly knackered but determined to keep playing as best we could under the circumstances.

Unfortunately the second half was no better with wave after wave of oppo forwards, mids, defenders and even their keep who was now playing on pitch came at us. Too often Lisa P was asked by the defence/mid-fielders which player they wanted to mark to which she replied "just pick anyone!"

This time Annette decided quite understandably not to throw herself onto the ground so much especially as the oppo seemed keen on practicing their golf swings as soon as they got into the D.

The game ended with us loosing 10-0 but we walked off with heads held high considering the difference in level between both teams.

Our defence and goalie had had the busiest game they remembered for a long time but kept goal after goal out, and most goals conceded were only after about 3 or more saves had been made before hand, and the mids and forwards never gave up trying to get into the oppo's D whilst also trying to track back and mark; Poppy's main comment being "I'm trying" after trying to chase back a leggy blond who was about 18.

Well done to the team and a big thank you to Lydia for umpiring.