The L3s made the long drive to Spalding yesterday. After an hour and half of eclectic music and a little car sickness from Mo, we found our way to the cosiest changing rooms to talk tactics about our face off against Spalding 2s. 

Primed with some stats and pep talk from Captino Steph, some tunes which were interrupted by a Bluetooth phone call (which left Luisa with Lemon of the Day), the army of yellows made our way through the forested pathway to the pitch.

 
Following the barnyard stretches lead by Harry (gotta close the gate after kicking that poor cow), and a slightly (overextended) warm up, we started the match just 20 mins behind schedule. 

From the first push back, it’s safe to say that the L3s has possession for 75% of the game. We had some epic shots on goal, with a super ‘top left goal’ deflection from Mo (sadly saved by the goalie), and some excellent set up passes from Rachel (always at the top of the D!), Steph (including some full-length pitch side runs!), and some super banana runs from Annis (our exciting latest team addition!). However, the D was congested as Spalding players flooded the D, and despite efforts from Harry, Louisa P, Emily, and Grace to get some cheeky short corners, we reached half time at 0-0. 

We were treated at half time with actual oranges from Lucy, which I think did the trick. 

Despite a few (SLIGHLTY) stressful breakaway runs resulting in a little overloading from Spalding, which were superbly (I might be a BIT biased) defended by Louisa W (solid tackles), Lucy (solid interceptions), Erin (we missed your calm take downs), and Lydia (the worlds’ most solid goalkeeper), we kept composed. 

Our work paid off. In the last 4 minutes (if we could not leave it QUITE so to the last minute next time ladies that would be great), Steph managed to score a super goal and we celebrated like we had won the 2024 Olympic gold. 

Over a tea of baked potatoes and beans (definitely not Hienz) and £2.50 tea, Grace and Louisa P (Pimms – now a perm member of our squad!) were voted Players of the Match for beautiful and consistent ball distribution and passing throughout the midfield and around the D. 

So, now have 3 points on the board, a set of super Instagram posts (thank social media leading lady Lucy) and the Nomads next weekend … The start of something special? I think so! Off to bake my Lemon drizzle cake with the actual Lemon I won.