After a 10-0 win against Kettering in the first half of the season, the 5s could be forgiven for thinking this would be an easy game. There was slight panic that there would be no goalkeeper but thankfully Louisa stepped up and the 5s were ready to go.

The team got off to a solid start with great passing setting up plenty of opportunities in the D. This paid off in the end and, after winning a short corner, Hattie was able to score her first goal after an excellent set-up from Fi. However, any thoughts that this would be an easy game were soon out of our heads as Kettering made plenty of attacking plays with some strong forwards putting pressure on the defence. Despite this, the run of play remained in South’s favour and we got our second goal courtesy of a strike from Charlotte. Kettering were not put off by this and were able to push through to make opportunities in the D and win some short corners. Fortunately, a strong defensive effort meant they couldn’t convert these opportunities to goals. With continued work by the midfield, South were able to get the ball up to the D once again and Hattie took full advantage with an excellent reverse strike from the edge of the D giving South their third goal. 

South got a boost at half time with the arrival of Rosie to add to the defence and started the second half strongly. The midfielders continued their great work with some excellent tackles and passing up the wings, setting up plenty of opportunities for the forwards. Our fourth goal came courtesy of Sarah after some great passing around the edge of the D. There was a brief moment of panic when an attempt to pass the ball around the back led to Rebecca passing the ball to the top of the D for Kettering. Thankfully, her quick follow-up with support from Rosie meant the goal was never threatened but unfortunately it did earn Rebecca LOM in a game where LOM-worthy moments were thin on the ground. There were a couple more hairy moments in the D in the second half but Louisa was ready and made sure we kept a clean sheet. South finished off the game with a final goal for Hattie, again from the reverse stick, to give her a hat(tie)-trick and the POM title. 

Overall it was a great performance all round, with POM nominations for eight players (Hattie, Fi, Helen, Nic, Eloise, Louisa, Rebecca, Harry) out of a squad of twelve and very few LOM nominations. Work done in training on reverse hits and short corners has clearly paid off and the team continues to improve week on week. A 5-0 win sets up the 5s well for the last few games of the season and takes us one step closer to what we hope will be a very successful finish!