L1s in great win against Clifton Robinsons
30 October 2021, 12:00, Banbury Road North (Near)
Ladies' 1s 4 - 0 Clifton Robinsons Ladies 2s
After what feels like our whole season we have been travelling away, we finally were playing at home against Clifton Robinsons ladies 2s. Before the game even started it felt like we were already winning with Andy’s pre match video finally making it under 10 minutes (9mins59secs… new record wooo)
We started the game strongly with us attacking hard at the D and managing to win a very early short corner. The ball is injected hard out and Bex managed to get a hard shot off which was able to find a Clifton stick deflecting it into the net making it 1-0 in the first 5 minutes!
We were working together really nicely as a team and all the hard work we had put in on the press was paying off. Rosie hit a beautiful ball into the D which was saved by the keeper and our little ninja Croker managed to get the deflection and push it into the goal making it 2-0.Coming up to half time everyone was still working so hard with us pressing really high in the final few minutes. Clifton had a 16 and transferred the ball across where Lexie put pressure on the their centre back winning the ball and passing it back across goal where Reany was positioned perfectly and smashed it into the goal making it 3-0 with a minute to spare before half time.
After the whistle blew for the break and we all ran in for the team talk, Andy’s face could only be described as looking like a Cheshire cats as he seemed very pleased with everyone’s performance. Other than Kim handing round some delightful squashies, our half time entertainment was the ball boys and girls being told they were “too keen” at placing the ball down and needed to slowwwllyyyyy put the ball onto the line. Who knew it was that complicated? (Massive shoutout to the little ball people, you did an amazing job)
After half time, Clifton came out very strongly but Hawks managed to keep their own and continue to transfer the ball around looking for opportunities forward. In the final quarter of the game Gemma Croker got a little green card for a little stick tackle and had to have a few moments on the naughty step, even with a player down we managed to hold the fort. After winning a short corner, Jemima was called up to inject as Kim was off the pitch, the crowd held their breath, but she somehow managed to pull it off and Minners smashed it onto the post and Stewie dived for what can only be described as a “perfect” deflection into the roof of the net… unfortunately the umpires said it was a no goal due to not leaving the D… but a goal that good won’t be forgotten easily. A few moments later we were lucky enough to win another short and give our well practiced routines another chance, this time it going right post and Tiny deflecting it in to secure the 4-0 win!
Our MOM goes to a well deserved Reany for all her hard work on and off the ball and an excellent goal. Our DOD goes to the one and only Hibbers for quite literally falling head over heels in the first half of the game (luckily not injuring herself) but definitely a comical fall. All together it was an amazing match to be a part of and left us top of the table going into next week !!
Many thanks to Evelyn Hargraves for the excellent photos.