We headed into the game knowing it was going to be a tough one – with a tough start to a new season and new division, and not yet having the feeling of gelling completely as a team – we knew it would be difficult facing the top of the league, Newmarket 2s.

Our captain decided to tweak the formation, allowing the team to play more defensively but within minutes of the game starting we were pushing forward into their D with a shot on goal. Newmarket seemed to really struggle to get into our D and we were witnessing their team fall apart in front of us.

We did a fantastic job of keeping our composure and started working well as a team, using Tim's tactics (and lots of recent training drills) of passing back and round and 1, 2 short passes.

Newmarket started upping the pressure on our defence and managed to break through securing themselves a short. Their short was taken by a forward with a cracking hit but it wasn't enough for our superstar goalie Cassie who managed to save TWO strong hits into the goal. Unfortunately, there was a brief moment of confusion when the ball was lifted into Julie's chest allowing Newmarket to gently trickle the ball into the goal scoring the first goal of the game.

We didn't let this get to us though and we took the ball straight up into the D and managed to get a short ourselves. Going for a straight strike the Newmarket defence and goalie couldn't stop the force of Nicky's amazing hit, scoring us a goal and tying 1-1 before half time.

Coming out of half time we were feeling the burn as we had only 1 sub, who was not  feeling 100%, although I'm sure this was used as an advantage as the Newmarket players kept their distance from KA allowing her to make some fantastic drives up the right side of the pitch and smashing the ball into the D. The Newmarket defence were just too good at man marking though and we struggled to get the balls into the goal.

The rest of the game was a fight to the end with our defence working tirelessly to stop the Newmarket forwards from getting a hit. Fearless Louisa was throwing herself into every tackle and managed to get hit in the side a few times, I'm pretty sure she must be covered in bruises by this point!>

The mids were working seamlessly and Camille was showing Newmarket her brilliant stick skills and tackles, refusing to let them past, continuously winning the ball and driving it up the pitch. Her fabulous play won her player of the match this week!

We finished the game with a 1-1 draw and we couldn't be more happy with the result. The team worked so hard and we all walked away feeling proud of our play, especially as we were expecting a significant loss. The Newmarket coach shouted to us as he left the clubhouse 'Onwards and upwards!', and we agree, we're only just getting started!

As always there were a few lemon moments in the game. Votes for Claudia for attempting to put on a face mask upside down (twice!) but still managing to successfully defend a short corner (Cassie was quick to help her out!). But ultimately the lemon vote was awarded to Hattie for another wardrobe related blunder this week with a faulty sports bra strap snapping halfway through a game...Who will be the victim for next week's wardrobe malfunction, Pt 3?