The L4s arrived in St Neots nice and early (with no issues getting to the pitch this week!) full of confidence and buzzing after our win last week. After a frustrating loss to St Neots in the first half of the season, we were ready to prove ourselves.

We started strong, with 10 minutes of solid play and all the things we'd practised in training - expertly passing round the back, pre-scanning leading to neat triangular passes and communication! 

However, St Neots' strong forward trio managed to catch us on the back foot (literally) and won two short corners, scoring one with a straight strike, and unluckily one off the rebound (after one of Zoe's great saves). But all wasn't lost, and we didn't lose our composure. Some incredible play from our defenders followed, with speedy clearances from Ginny and an incredible goal line save from Phoebe, as she managed to stop the ball in the air, earning her some well deserved POM votes. Another POM runner up was Katy. She supported the defensive line incredibly, by intercepting St Neots players and whacking the ball to the other end of the pitch to take the heat off the defenders. Naomi did attempt to recieve one of these arials, although not conventionally with her stick, but with her thigh instead - a LOM vote for that!

We managed to keep the ball in our attacking D, with lovely speedy running along the baseline from Mo. A lucky break for St Neots meant that they zipped the ball back down the pitch to bring the scoreline to 3-0. But we weren't giving up! We continued to put pressure on, and Cat outran them to make it past their strong defence, passing to Kath coming in from the right to neatly hit the back of the net. 3-1!

A much-needed break to get our breath back sadly without any half time sweets, as I forgot my one job for the week and did earn a few LOM votes for doing so. 

We had a very strong second half, with Hannah, Bethan, Connie and Katy in midfield playing end to end hockey, always being available for a pass, and keeping up the (very fast) pace. Hannah earned several POM votes for her textbook passes and good interceptions. Me and Nicole kept running back and keeping pace with St Neots' forwards, but they did manage to get past to put two more in the goal.  Several more chances at a South goal followed, with some close calls! In one attempt, Mo managed to get knocked over and do an excellent fall just by the goal (and also somehow trapped the ball underneath her for a few seconds, earning her LOM!). 

The final score was 5-1 and although it was a loss, it was a very good game. We were calm, cool and collected, and didn't let the goals get to us. 

LOM to Mo as mentioned, with Zoe winning POM for having a superb game, saving many St Neots chances and coming out of the goal to intimidate their strikers (managing to trip one of them up while clearing the ball!)