It was the L4’s turn to trek to Spalding this weekend and I think I can safely say no one enjoyed their early pre-8ammorning alarm on a Saturday morning! However, we all arrived pretty much on time and were greeted by the lovely canine cheerleader Gwynva, who helped to calm our pre-match nerves as we started warming up ready to face current top of the league Spalding 2s. 

We had a rough start conceding a short corner in the first minute and, with Spalding’s obviously very well-practised set piece, this was unluckily upgraded to their first goal. Before South had any chance to get our formation back together, a second Spalding goal crossed the line and it was 2-0 in the first five minutes. I think we all then started to have flashbacks to our lasting meeting with this team where the score had finished 4-0.

But, in true South style, we were not going to admit defeat so easily, especially after all the progress we have made this season. We picked our pace up and after some lovely 2-1’s in midfield, the ball hit a foot in the Spalding D and South had their first short corner of the game. Of course, we were not going to waste this opportunity and a beautiful slap across goal by Amelia allowed Katie to deflect the ball into the net. This definitely rattled our opponents who, not only weren’t used to losing, but had their previous two weeks' scorelines as 5-0 and 6-0. South quickly capitalised on Spalding'sdisorientation, who were much more used to teams with wider formations. As they struggled to work out how to mark us effectively in the middle, our midfield dominated and the screens and inners were able to work together to get the ball up the pitch. Just as we were nearing half-time and had been unsuccessful a few times to get the ball back in Spalding’s D, Becky managed to fire the ball to Liv, where a slight touch at the end of her stick sent the ball flying past the goalie. The ref blew his whistle for half-time and we were officially drawing against the league toppers. 

Very excited off the back of our two goals, we had a quick half-time chat, some sweets and got right back into the game. As expected, the now slightly aggravated Spalding team came out hard and strong and scored their third goal and, not too long after, their fourth. However, South got back into the swing of the game and our amazing defensive line prevented Spalding from getting any more opportunities at goal. We weren’t even phased when we conceded another short corner, as our incredible Nicole in goal had been saving somespectacular shots all game. We fought hard until the end and, with only one sub, we ended the game shattered, but very proud of the final 4-2 score. 

Although we lost this game, it really felt like a win for the L4’s as it demonstrated the progress we have made this season and how we have the ability to continuously rattle teams much higher than us in the league table. LOM went to Luisa for her sideline ice skating attempt that landed her sitting on top of the ball. Many POM nominations went to Katie and Nicole, but Liv came out on top for her goal and ball control in midfield. The L4’s have four games left this season, all against teams nearer the bottom of the league table, so get ready for a string of wins!