After last week’s, eventually successful, league match on a slow and energy sapping pitch, the L5s made the short hop to the Stephen Perse for a friendly run out against Saffron Walden, on a slow and energy sapping pitch.

Coach Chris urged us to focus on what had been practiced at training and use this as an opportunity to try some different things, so we did.  Rosie tried playing whilst lying on the ground, Polly tried playing with her training top on and both Camille and Louisa tried headbutting the dugout.  But in addition to these LOM worthy moments (with the crown ultimately taken by Louisa), there were also a great number of beautiful passes, tantalising runs, exquisite interceptions and some fantastic goals.

We started the match with great intent and managed to maintain a very high level across 35 hard and unseasonably warm minutes - despite having dug deep to get the ball to do what it was supposed to do.  By half time, Sarah had netted twice and Camille had capped a brilliant move with her first goal for South.  There were POM votes for Vicki, Sarah, Emma, Nicole, Annabel and Louisa but Camille’s performance earned her the title and left us with little doubt that her goal today will be the first of many in a purple (or yellow) shirt.

In the spirit of Chris’ earlier instructions, Helen also decided to try something different and scored, not just her first goal for South but, her first goal ever! Now, my excuse for not seeing this history making moment is that I was waaaay back in the goal at the other end of the pitch with 20-odd other players between me and the ball, but how everyone else managed to not realise Helen had scored is the question of the day.

The first half finished with the whistle being blown just seconds before Charlotte and Camille were about to apply the killer blow to a fantastic piece of interplay, with what would have been (from my POV anyway) a certain goal.  4-0 at half time was a good start.

I didn’t touch the ball once but I shouted, a lot.

The second half was a slightly more frustrating affair.  We maintained the vast majority of the possession across the half, but despite some strong work from Helen, Louisa, Emma and Polly feeding the ball up the pitch the Saffron Walden defensive line and keeper kept out numerous attempts on goal by Sarah, Charlotte, Holly and Camille.  

As time ticked on and legs got a little more tired, Saffron Walden made a few runs towards our D but my stalwart defence of Nicole, Annabel, Rosie, Vicki and Daisy kept them at bay.  

I didn’t touch the ball once but I shouted, a lot.

Final score: 4-0.  Another fine performance from the L5s. Thanks to Saffron Walden for a great game.

Just to reiterate - I didn’t touch the ball once but I shouted, a lot.