Forget Harry Potter, the L1s faced adventures far scarier and much more magical than any escapades Hogwarts has to offer this October weekend. The chilling wind and frighteningly cold autumn morning saw the L1s head up the road to the Abbey. A pitch and a team to be reckoned with, the prospect of which was just too much of a commitment for some, as they left their shin pads behind to ensure they could make their way back, à la Hansel and Gretel. That’s why you left them behind, Nic, right?

The match started with an intense fifteen minutes, with the girls rallying against the scorching (but not in a warm kind of way; just annoyingly bright) sunshine and imposing themselves heavily on the Nomads team. There was some wonderful play through the centre line with the forward trio wreaking havoc for the Nomads defence. Triangles everywhere and short, sharp passes earned the girls triumph over the first half. There were some strong counterattacks from the Nomads, particularly using the width of the pitch. One could even say they used this to their advantage, pushing us out wide on a number of occasions. Not as Far and Wide as Katie G liked to travel, thinking outside the box and playing well outside the confining limitations of the sidelines. Oblivious to the actual rules of the game, she threw caution to the wind and challenged the Nomads in uncharted territory, i.e. she dribbled the ball out. More than once. This pumpkin-haired giant was not one for sticking on the safe side. Despite valiant efforts to remain within the pitch, she survived the forest (of fallen leaves on the side of the pitch) and returned relatively unscathed but knighted as LOM. Robyn McLean earned votes for MOM with a stormer at centre back, holding the fortress that is the L1s’ inner turret (a.k.a. our goal) against attack. I’ve suddenly gone all castle and scary tales. Perhaps as that was the event on the girls’ minds, keeping them going against the forces of Nomads’ attacks. Enter, a few knights in shining armour into our tale of fight or flight.

With everything a muddle the author has forgotten the order of the goals but not to fear because you can’t cast shadows on stars, and Alice WRIGHT shines far brighter than any Alice Walker I know. Working hard alongside Alice H and Laura L, they secured our two vital goals. One was formed first by a cracking shot from Laura which rebounded and was polished off by Alice WRIGHT; and the second a slick penalty corner, fired into goal from the left hand edge by Alice H, initially fed in by Alice WRIGHT.

Nomads rallied and stole a goal from the South side in the second half. The nerves of the Purples were tested throughout the second half. All jittery and unsettled, the pace changed and Nomads put up a good fight. Almost literally except, when you think about it, no swings were taken, no cross words exchanged, only that all of a sudden it was an ‘all legs in the air martial art themed’ escapade with Robs Murray and a Nomad player. Still not sure anyone knows the moral of (or reason for) that story. Valiantly she fought on and her efforts were recognised with MOM votes heading her way.

All in all a good day rounded off with a fun match, wonderful teas, and great chat. Nomads were out for a win but, as with every good horror story, it was all ok in the end and South prevailed. So calm yourselves.