South knew this was going to a difficult match. With Newmarket already promoted, a win for them today would ensure they were champions. South were looking to secure our promotion, needing just a single point. With captain Rhi sitting this match out, the team were awakened by Rhi’s vocals early on in the warm up. Newmarket warmed up closed by and then huddled in around the pitch (looking very serious). Just before the match began, South had their first challenge as Tabby had acquired a nose-bleed; dad to the rescue, Marcus sorted her out ready to come on later.

The matched started with Newmarket showing why they were top of the table. Strong passes and tackles led to South’s defence being tested but thanks to some fab saves from Loopy we managed to fight off their first few attacks. South battled well in the midfield showing some great transfer work and penetrations into the D; however, as Paul had warned, Newmarket’s keeper was strong. South were going to have to work around her if we were going to score. Unfortunately, with some nippy play for the team in yellow they managed to get the first goal: one-nil. Heads u, South went into the next play with some good possession play from Tabby and Jas. Newmarket broke and scored their second. South continued to work hard throughout the first half. However, just before the end of the half a bouncing ball off defender Julie’s foot gave Newmarket their next opportunity, which they weren’t going to waste. Three-nil behind into the team talk, South went.

With a great team talk from Paul and refuelled with Haribo, the girls were up for the remaining half.

Newmarket looked to change their tactics in the second half, sitting back in defence more, making it even more difficult for South to get scoring opportunties. With attempts from both the midfields and forward, South were looking to get back into the game. Phoebe’s attempt to do an ‘Anna trick shot’ saw the ball go over the crossbar but seemed to give the girls a boost. Later into the half Phoebe got another opportunity to score. Working the ball around the keeper she accurately put the ball into the Newmarket goal past the defenders standing on the line.

Three-one ended the game, but with some fabulous play in the second half the girls can be more than happy with the way they played. Hannah secured MoM for her super defending work, keeping up with the Newmarket youngsters and fighting to get the ball back. Skipper, Rhi, secured her seventh LoM of the season, (exceeding her six from last season) for getting so over-excited at South being awarded a short corner that she managed to injure herself further than she already was!