Not to kick a dead horse, but it was a game of two halves. There was the forward half, and the defensive half. What a dream it seems like now…. (wind chimes tinkle)

The pitch was baking, as if mirages would appear at any moment. With two subs and plenty of water, we were prepared, although the more Northern of us seemed concerned by the heat. The first whistle blew and we were off. Loopy sweated (not from exertion), Lou C fell over, surprisingly for the first and only time for the match. Serin ran after a ball that went over the backline. The half-time whistle blew. We were 5 goals up! 

Second half. Georgie took out the opposition’s goalie. I can’t actually remember if it was the first or second half. It certainly slowed the unstemmed tide of our attack. The defence line zonally marked a treat. And then they broke. Managing an attack into our 25. An inelegant clear across the top of the circle by the right back, and an untimely foot by the left back invoked a penalty. The defence lined up for the short, trialling their three out with less than you’d hope for previous experience. They left slipped, ball back to the injector. And Loopy dives, she saves it! They shoot again. Loopy is on the ground. Diane dives, and she saves it! Loopy and Diane are both on the ground. Their canny forward pushes it almost to goal again, Diane saves one from the ground, and then another! Arms akimbo. But not the third to her great frustration. 

Play continues. Loopy sweats. Lou C pushes very high and Serin has to run after a ball NOT ON HER SIDE OF THE PITCH. We win 7-1. Well done Georgie, Elaine, and Laura for 2 goals a piece, and L2s ringer Hannah for her one.