Having been defeated by City 4s just a few weeks ago, this was a must win match for South. Unfortunately, we had a few drop outs and with 10 minutes to go to pushback the CB needed a heads up that there was a match (d’oh!) - yep I was at home blissfully unaware that the match was 3:30 not 4:30!
 

Once we had our full lineup present South settled into the game. The opening goal was a great team build up – Jess took a shot, saved by the keeper and Hannah pounced to slot it away(quite the goal scorer we’ve found ourselves). Second goal was a reward for playing to the whistle with Rhi getting it to Jess to coolly finish round the keeper. Unfortunately, City kept fighting and won a penalty corner. Although it didn’t go quite to plan, the ball pinged around the D and ended up in the back of the net. 2-1 at half time. Too close for comfort.

Within 5 minutes of the restart South had made it 3-1 – lovely passing move Sophie to Jess, Jess to Emily on the post to finish it off. Breathing space… but not for long. City never gave up and with a packed midfield were getting joy with some through balls. I don’t know the details, but they scored. Most of the second half was at 3-2. South insisted on passing the ball to City to make sure they had chances, and it gave Lydia  something to do. The last 5 minutes were too dramatic. City won a free hit in a dangerous place, and overloaded our D with nothing to lose. A player from the back drifted into the D unmarked and scored a lovely deflection at the back post. 3 minutes to go at 3-3, eek! 
 

South had been on top the whole game and everyone was determined to get this back. From the restart, pushback to Sophie D, out to the wing, up the line to Rhi, passes it off to Emily in the D, who had the wherewithal to look up and put in the cross for an arriving Jess to ping home. The crowd went crazy…. (I just added that for effect). 2 minutes to hold the ball and see off the game to the whistle, phew! 

A fantastic team effort, but Sophie D held the middle like a pro and earned this week’s POM, additional votes went to Jess (super job as captain, saved us at the last minute), Emily (great goal and running) and Hayley (better late than never!). A few things to work on, but a win’s a win!