COWHS Ladies 2s vs Kenley SP2 - 04th November 2017

Off the back of our drubbing in the cup last week at the hands of division 6 Clapham Common HC (Du Pre wins the award for correctly guessing the true meaning of HC), it was a slightly battered but positive COW’s Ladies 2s that arrived at the pitch to face their local rivals Kenley.
With both teams tied on 7 points, we knew this would be a close game.

We weren’t sure how many Weetabix the Kenley team had for breakfast but it was certainly more than us, and we were firmly on the back foot for the first 20 minutes of the game. Whilst Kenley lacked the flare of other teams we’ve played, they made up for it with determination and a player who kept rocketing the ball into our D repetitively. This was bread and butter for the COW’s defence and Netty, Whatever and HowHard made constant challenges and clearances to keep them at bay although with HowHard declaring after 5 minutes she was knackered, we thought we could be in trouble!

Halfway through the 1st half a defensive mix up gifted Kenley their first clear chance, following a melee in the D they flicked one past an unsighted Lisa into the net, Lisa naturally continued to blame herself for the goal through the entire game! (COW’s hate conceding)

The goal seemed to kick us into action and with Leggs often sacrificing her own game to woman mark their speedy danger woman, COW’s started to develop a number of attacks straight off the training pitch.
Our midfield worked tirelessly with Naomi and El Capitano running themselves into the ground, winning the ball, then looking to build attacks. A few chances came and went with COW’s finding it hard to penetrate into the D despite the best efforts of Jo and Amelia. Half time whistle blew with Kenley leading 1-0.

The 2nd half started positively for COW’s and where Kenley dominated the 1st half, we dominated possession in the 2nd, with slick passing out of defence and midfield it finally gave opportunities to Poppy, Andrea and Sharon to finally run at the Kenley defence which they did with increased threat as the game went on.
About 15 minutes in, COW’s developed a swift attack up the right, Poppy picked up the ball, got tackled, picked up the ball again and drove to the back line before launching the sweetest of crosses into the D, who should be waiting but our goal scorer extraordinaire Sharon who popped the ball casually into the net. The team went wild!!

Not content with a draw, COW’s were determined to win the game and with the defence foiling another attack and with our oppo becoming decidedly rattled, Becca played a ball through to midfield who found Poppy completely unmarked. She turned and drove at goal, one on one with the keeper, unfortunately her body and mind were not in harmony, her mind said go right… her body went straight on! GK 1 Poppy 0!!

COW’s continued to press but couldn’t find that elusive 2nd goal. Game finished 1-1 with COW’s Ladies 2s having only conceded 4 goals in 5 league games and moving up to 3rd.
Thanks to Lou for her amazing support, Lydia for umpiring brilliantly, Rochie for coaching/subbing and the boys for cheering us on.

POM – Netty
Goal – Sharon M