Number of ice packs needed by Ely: 4 (ask Jess for details!)

What a game! I can honestly say I have never played in a game like this (or at least been on the right side of such a score-line.) Cath’s new strategy of 5-3-2 well and truly paid off.

From the very start, we began to put Ely under pressure, roving deep into Ely territory. This continued with Ely struggling to clear their lines with all the forwards and midfield making sure the press was good. Pressure finally told with the ball hitting a despairing Ely foot to give a short corner – one of many in the game. A good push out by Ley saw Jess launching her first torpedo of the game which headed straight and true past the Ely defence into the goal.

From the Ely pushback, South quickly got possession back and were again stretching the Ely defence passing well, and making space leading to Jo’s reverse stick shot past the Ely keeper: 2-0 South. 2 rapidly became 3 with some lovely breaks down both wings by Jules and Jo with support from Emma South and Lucy inside leading to a scramble in the D with Ley tucking the ball past the goalie.

Ely briefly managed to clear their lines but were well stopped around the half way line by Emma F who launched another attack down then right. Despairing defending by Ely again led to another short corner. This time Jess’s torpedo was again on target but hit a defender who understandably crumpled. Time-out: ice pack no. 1 for Ely.

Further pressure led to another short. Jess passed the ball to Emma South, who passed it back to Jess, who took aim and fired. This time the ball richoched off an Ely stick finding the gap behind the goalie’s leg guard hitting her plum on the knee cap: ice pack 2.

Ely’s hit out was again collected by the right side of the midfield but this time the ball was spread round the back and the attack was changed to the left. Then probably came the move of the game with Jules receiving the ball on the left side of the D, losing her footing but still managing to pass the ball on to Jess who crossed the ball to Lucy waiting on the right hand side in the D for her to finish with a low hard hit right into the corner. 4-0. There was still time for a further short before half time which Jess hit with aplomb into the goal.

OK so that’s only the first half…… The second continued in a similar vein. Jo and Lora linked up beautifully down the right and chance after chance was created in the Ely D. Great passing from Emma F, Jess and Kim had the Ely defence not knowing which way to turn. Two lovely breaks by Kim down the centre led to further South goals – one with a slip pass to Lucy who again fired home from the top of the D.

Pressure led to further short corners and ice packs nos. 3 and 4 were welcomed by the Ely side who put their bodies on the line defending – remind me never to run 1 at a short if the ball is going to Jess!

Jo and Ley both scored again from rebounds their positioning being perfect. 9-0. Then another move saw Jo tapping the ball past the keeper with Jules ensuring the goal-bound ball made it over the line! South continued to keep pouring on the pressure with great passing and movement around the pitch leading to further goals by Ley and the final goal of the game - a hit from a tight angle by Lucy. Well played everyone – it was a fantastic game.