The day was young when the 4s started their supposedly short journey to St Ives. Nic didn’t get the memo this was a nearby game, and missed the turn off the A14 (it turns out U-turns are frowned upon on the A14), carrying on towards Kettering instead. This doubled the journey time of Nicole, Julie and Fi and thus they turned up 20mins before the game (LOM-NOM1). However given the navigation required to get to the pitch through some mazes and hedges, they didn’t actually miss any warm up! 

We warmed up well and then started strong. It was very even for the first half with both teams having chances in their own attacking D’s. Nicole, Becca, Elly and Julie were mopping up at the back exceptionally and Zehra made some great saves and dives flying everywhere. At the other end, Kendra, Holly, Naomi and Lily were putting pressure on their keeper and forcing their defence to hold their positions - the first half within a half, 0-0. 

The second half within a half, well they scored, there wasn’t much anyone could have done - The second half within a half 0-1. 

We then had sweets. 

Shree fire pumped her water bottle all over Holly’s face (LOM-NOM2). 

Becky explained that St Ives were playing terrier hockey, or swarm hockey or “annoying stop making it 3 on 1 please St Ives as soon as we get the ball”, hockey. 

So we decided to “possess the ball more” and we changed the formation and went to 4 at the back. 

We will ignore the 3rd half within a half, where they scored two goals. 0-3. 

There was a bleep test for the midfield, where we had 5 re-awards for the same short corner (well defended and no score). We then settled again and played more possession hockey with Shree distributing beautifully and the screens and inners of Fi, Becky, Frankie and Hattie pushing the ball up the pitch well, to allow some nice runs onto goal from all the amazing forwards, who kept working till the end and didn’t give up trying for a goal. Final half within a half 0-0! 

Teas were nice, there were beans and this made me happy (northern). However Becky seemed to love them more when she decided to dress herself in them, but luckily for her LOM had already been narrowly contested (not that narrow Nicole’s A14 diversion overwhelmingly scooped it)!

POM votes were split across so many of the team for a great team performance, but ultimately went to Hattie and Lily for great runs and possession! 

Lots of positives were evident and we had some good game play to be proud of. If you miss out the middle two quarters (halves within the halves) the result was 0-0, let’s lead with that!