A home game at Long Road, we were ecstatic. First of the year. Particularly after last week’s adventure to Haverhill’s sandy, bumpy (and muddy!) pitch. We had friends watching and Tim ready to coach from the sidelines.

The game started energetically, with City quick to pick through any inaccurate or hesitations on passes. Our diamond in midfield tore round the pitch to pick up the pieces but City kept the pressure on, finding gaps in our formation and exploiting them. Within 3 minutes and a tussle in our goalkeeper’s ugly spot, the ball had passed over our goal line (despite Vicky’s best efforts and our hope that it wasn’t 100%).

We set back up for pushback with confused spectators likewise not realising a goal had been scored. The first half continued with our stellar defence warding off City’s quick running breaks, midfield running ragged between defence and attack trying to push play into our attacking D and our forwards posting up to opportunities and moving the ball along. This included a great pass to Holly in attack who drove the ball into the D, dancing around the final defenders and the goalkeeper to sweep the ball clear of both, safely to the opposite outer right post. With no one else that high on the pitch, we watched in awe and hope. So close Hol!

Half time was a tactical think about positioning and play. Tim advised we ditch the diamond in midfield, which has caused a few gaps, and re positioned to our former set up confident that we had it all to play for, at just 1-0 down. Sweets and grapes devoured, we got back on the pitch.

We settled back into the structure and layout and pushed City at all their opportunities. We fought for the ball and used our 1:2s to win the ball around them, pushing play back into our attack. We had a handful of shots on goal. A play led up to the D with Louisa on the ball, who tried to find the end of Nicky’s stick for a strike. Sadly, a city stick found this and belted the ball back, striking Louisa’s knee firmly. The ball was in a fantastic position for a shot on goal, with time, space and opportunity, but el capitan tried to stop the advantage, even to the oppo’s surprise, who kindly reminded her to “PLAY ON!”. By this point, the ball was further out of the Lemon-to-be’s reach, thankfully Nicky knew to try a shot and got a reverse sweep on it in a swift last attempt, but again it went wide of the post. So close yet again.

City had handfuls of opportunities and they seized them. A frustrating 4-0 by full time. One from a straight shot from a short and a couple of others won luckily after Sélène’s many saves. South were certainly disappointed but had put in a fantastic effort. We were lifted by spectators and coach Tim who all reminded us of what we had achieved and how well we had played. If we continue to play like this, with such drive and determination, the games will fall in place. Thanks to everyone’s effort, POM votes were spread across much of the team, though ultimately falling on our fantastic Rebecca for her brilliant defence. LOM was unanimous. Birthday teas cheered us up, big kudos to VC Harry for baking some delicious cookies and Avi for bringing a beaut cake.