No nonsense Nomads

We had an early start on a damp Autumn morning at Cambridge University Sports grounds today to take on the Cambridge Nomads 1s on their home turf (somewhat ironic).

Having trained on deflections and 2 v 1 defence on Thursday, a generous two sub, and our trusty Tim on the side lines, we were feeling pretty positive muttering phrases like ‘It’s early but I have a good feeling about this one’. We did a good warm up lead by Anna featuring the Anna special of the three levels of high knees, and a couple of shooting drills. This game was ours.

We had the first push back and started well, holding our formation beautifully (with a several loud and needed reminders at the back from Hannah). Because our formation was holding well, Anne Marie and Lucy had some fantastic uses of the side line spaces and were able to feed the ball well into the feisty forwards Stephanie, Kate, Tiff and Emily. Some hard work from the mids Anna, Erin, Katy and Rhi, and some great work from the forward line resulted in at least 5 solid shots on goal in the first half, with Em scoring our first goal with a fab deflection.

We bounced off field at half time feeling in control and like ‘we got this’.

We didn’t have it.

The Nomads came back on with a no-nonsense vigour and increased their intensity with some excellent one touch passing. Despite side-line cheering from Avy and Anna W (who occasionally cheered for the Nomads by mistake), our hockey took a turn. As we got more tired, we began to lose our formation a bit, and the no-nonsense Nomads made the most of the gaps in our play. Despite two amazing saves by Cassie, the Nomads managed to pull three goals out the bag in the second half; one on a short corner, one which was a bit average, and one which was an outstanding reflection into the top right of the goal.

Despite the final score of 3:1 to the Nomads, the threes had a good game, with a lot of shots of goals, a lot of communicating to make sure we were all in the right place, and some really good hockey. Next game is the twos – and time for the threes to make our mark (preferably by playing like we do on the first half in the second half as well!).

POM – went to Anne Marie who had some super positioning, blocking, and runs down the right side of the pitch.&

LOM – went to Anna W (who wasn’t even playing!) for cheering for the Nomads (she claims old age, but I’m not sure). Although, on reflection perhaps LOM should have gone to me for volunteering to write the match report even though I didn’t get LOM