Grab your aprons and set your ovens to 180°C folks, you’re in for a tasty treat… 

Prep Work:

16 South Ladies were marinated for approx. 1hr 15 mins on their way to Ipswich. A hearty breakfast recommended, coffee for the road optional, hockey sticks essential. A quick round of names for newcomer Cindy (aka Katie) resulted in aningredient (Nic) getting confused as to where she fit into the recipe (defence, definitely not a forward) …

Starter:

The first half began rather mildly, with the South onions & garlic (inners and screens) – the basis of any good recipe,sautéing nicely via some smooth passing through the middle of the pitch. The defence, the bay leaves of the team - often overlooked, but absolutely essential—keeping things simmering nicely. Our spicy front five had some decent chances of a tasty treat, but were left with a pang in our tummies for the majority of the first half. However, thathunger was finally sated with Sophie sprinkling some paprika into proceedings with a cracker of a goal from top right D – 1-0 South. That’s what happens with you play with a dash of flair and a dollop of determination. 

Main course:

After half-time, the team really turned up the heat. Liv added a generous spoonful of nutmeg with a smooth finish, Izzy brought in a fiery chili kick to keep the opponents gasping via a tasty drag flick, and Amelia topped it all off with a sprinkle of cinnamon sweetness, sealing a delicious 4-1 victory.

Special Ingredient:

This recipe would be incomplete with a tasty helping of the one, the only, KP (Kimberley Pearson, not the nuts). Playing her 200th match for CSHC L1s, she was the saffron of the side: rare, valuable, and bringing colour and depth to everything around her. Teammates and spectators alike agreed that no recipe is complete without her.

Final Taste Test:
The scoreboard read 4-1, but the flavour lingered much longer. The opposition left with indigestion; we left with a feast of goals, a 1/1 jacket potato, chocolate cake, and just enough spice to keep the crowd hungry for more.