So there we were in the rain.

The L5s team warmed up before discovering that L4’s Zara wasn’t going to turn up, making her the LOM. Another rule was imposed, telling the South team that if they were spotted less than 2m away from each other while they weren’t playing, the ball would be given to the Ely team, but luckily the 5s didn’t fall into the trap and stayed distanced.

The match started out well, with a goal from Juliette S within the first 5 minutes, closely followed by a goal from Ely when they broke through. This challenged the foreseen strong win, and I remember wondering whether we were really head and shoulders above Ely.

But the South defence held strong, with some excellent sweeps from POM nominee Hayley S and although there were a few good runs and attempts from Ely, the ball continuously stayed in South’s attacking half of the pitch.

Another 2 goals by Juliette S and Libby E followed by Polly L scoring a goal by being expertly placed at the post while Juliette made a backhand sweep to the post which was too wide (Guy on the sideline claimed that it was intentional and made to be a distraction, but from first-hand experience, I can declare that it was purely accidental), before a few short corners were taken, and the half time whistle blew.

By the end of the first half, the tiredness was becoming apparent and the break was energising and well needed. Tactics were discussed and when asked for her opinion, goal keeper Anabelle declared that she had no feedback to give: “Nothing from me, it’s not coming to me so you must be doing something right” (Anabelle came back from the game very cold but we were proud of her saves when the ball managed to come near her)

The second half went very well for the South team and we kept the pressure on. At one point we were one player short after a confusion with subs and Vicki G running away, but even through that, Ely didn’t come close enough to score.

Teamwork was used effectively, and Claudia G was somehow always in the right place for Louisa P to pass to, allowing Juliette to score another two goals, among many chances on goal, which weren’t always made. Eloise B unfortunately got injured in the face as a ball flew up but was able to carry on playing, making some expert passes to Sammy B who carried many balls up the line.

In the final two minutes of the game, Juliette secured the last goal after an encouraging cry “one more goal girls” until the match wrapped up and everyone walked back to the soaking bags and coats with smiles on their faces, to be greeted by the (small) audience who were as wet as the bags.

The final score 7-1 was a relief to everyone, being the penultimate match before Christmas, and a very enjoyable match. I’m sure the eagerness for next week will be just as much, but hoping for a weather change.