We kicked off the season with a wonderful 6-0 win against Walden's 5. 

With just two training sessions behind us, we were keen to get fully into gameplay, particularly with some new faces. We went in feeling relatively comfortable, remembering our 4-0 win this time last year against Walden. 

This game gave us the opportunity to try out more positional play, our former fantastic press altered and improved to challenge our opposition in any of their free hits, channelling them into wings, with players ready to cut them off and turnover the ball.

This baffled Walden. They struggled to find successful passes and forced the ball into our midfields. We dominated both halves of the game, with our fabulous defence pushing up to support and redirect and redistribute the ball, giving us more opportunities. Rosie continued to be a wall against oncoming attackers. Nicky, Vicki and Vinnie did a great job in the bottom of the midfield diamond, tracking back as and when and welly-ing the ball back to where we wanted it. Walden had the odd opportunity, including a few short corners, which were given little chance. Special mention to Rebecca and her formidable chase as first runner. Zoe in goal had the occasional moment of excitement and did get to touch the ball, albeit not for long. 

In midfield, we had some lovely one twos running and passing the ball up the wings from Camille, Polly and Harry. Congratulations to Helen who is now making a tradition of scoring against Walden 5s (Sarah too, but as a forward we hope for as much!). 

Our attackers had quite the day with a fair few short corners to play around with. Many close calls and hard work in the D paid off. Nicky came through with her direct strikes starting the score off. Sarah built this up after a lovely sweep in from the post. Another for Nicky, and we were comfortable at half time. 

The second half we certainly started to tire (shout out to members who had already played a game with the 6s in the morning; Avi, Harry and Louisa). That and the heat did let us loosen our drive, which gave way to more turnovers from Walden, which then pushed us on. Daisy was quick to chase down Walden runners and send us back the ball. Then, more goals came. Polly delivered a beautiful reverse sweep after a rebound. Helen wanted in, and made her fabulous strike, taking us to 5-0. Finally, it was Avi’s turn. She had been giving the game her all, tirelessly running the ball up, feeding onto Holly S, Helen and Sarah in attack, striking her own shots on goal and finally getting hers from a dance around the goalie, neatly tucking the ball into the far corner. 

We finished happy and exhausted, though a good handful of players were left hungry for their own goal (including myself). Bring on the next and the start of our new league!

POM winner went to Nicky, with votes also for Avi, Harry, Helen, Holly S and Louisa. 

LOM winner narrowly went to Holly S, for giving the umpire some questions. The unexpected glaring sunshine also got a vote.