Scoring early is the key for the Ladies 3s

From the start of the match Hawks showed that they meant business putting early pressure on the Oxford defence. Within minutes Sophie Bennet found herself with enough space to fire a shot at the keeper. It was saved but there was Sophie following in on the keepers pads to slot the ball into the goal. No sooner had the game resumed than Hawks were on the attack again with Helen Robey and Jess Oakhill combining well to draw the defence. Helen finally ending up with the shot on goal which the keeper could not stop. 2-0 up within 10 minutes - what a change from the past few weeks.

Going ahead so early it was clear Hawks would need to maintain the pressure and prevent Oxford from getting back into the match. More sustained pressure brought a couple of short corners for Hawks but the straight strikes were well cleared. Oxford finally began to get back into the game building attacks from deep. Some inventive passing opened up an opportunity - a lifted ball in the D was batted between two Oxford players before crossing the line. The goal however was immediately disallowed as one player was deemed to have raised her stick above her head. The captains had been warned before the match that if no contact was made with the ball this would result in a green, contact would bring a yellow. So not only was the goal disallowed but Oxford found themselves with 10 on the pitch.

A couple more short corners were exchanged before Oxford were back up to the full compliment of players. This gave them a boost and after some confusion between Alex Cherry in goal and Caroline Baggs in the D Oxford were back in the game - the score 1-2. The only way to react to this for Hawks was to set about seeking to extend the lead further. More sustained pressure lead to a short corner, Jess's strike was saved but the rebound fell to Kirsty Luscombe and with her trademark shot she scored the third.

After half time both teams came out looking to score first. Oxford had the best of the chances with Laura Scragg forced to save twice off the line. As the teams both tired play became scrappy. Oxford's players were cautioned for not retreating 5 at free hits, and one was eventually given a green. Frustration at the way the game had broken down seemed to get to everyone and it was Sophie Bennet of Hawks who next saw green again for not retreating at the free hit. 

Things came together again when Oxford managed to score a second - a cross was fired into the D and deflected into the goal - nobody seemed sure whose stick it had touched last but the umpire was sure it was an attacker. This got both teams switched on and each looked determined to score again. Oxford had a couple of short corners which came to nothing. Hawks, with some great positional play from Emily Black (making her full debut for the 3s) got themselves into a number of scoring positions. With seconds to go Hawks were awarded a short corner, but the straight strike veered just outside the right post. The final score was 2-3 to Hawks.

Squad

Caroline Baggs, Rachel Bellamy, Sophie Bennett, Emily Black, Alex Cherry, Sally Clark, Emma Cragg, Kirsty Luscombe, Jessica Oakhill, Helen Robey, Laura Scragg, Phil Williams

Player of the match: Laura Scragg

Scorers