1XI vs Bude 1

We got their on time and Janey didn’t get lost, however the pitch was locked. 

Umpire warned us about the health and safety of the pitch (slippy in the middle, pooey everywhere else) and that they’ll try to play as much advantage as possible… Late push back, missing our formidable captain Kat today it was up to Lally to lose the toss.

Game started a little scrappy despite some really strong runs from the mids and forwards. Bude made us work hard and there was lots of too-ing and fro-ing between each side, preventing any linking up. Lally managed to nearly knock herself out by deflecting a ball straight on to her own forehead. 

Despite Budes strong and high press on our hit outs the mids helped to get the ball through and up to the forwards, however, the determined battling lead to a very frustrating green card for our feisty and fearless calamaDee. 

Our defence was solid and composed as always, Hussey will be pleased to hear that we even successfully implemented the training drill of wide line ball distribution. After a classic Danni interception the ball got worked from right back to left forward where Dee took on every player on the pitch channeling the earlier frustration working through their defence to score a well deserved goal. 

1-0 at half time. 

After half time we came back with a really mature approach due to Helen’s team talk of focusing on what we can change and not the things we can’t…. After multiple tellings off from the umpires It was noted that the team should book a group appointment for hearing and sight tests. 

Our game play dramatically improved in the second half leading to lots of driving runs and fluid play from Tori, Liv, Chell, Ellie and Lally. This play lead to Dee receiving and driving up right hand wing crossing a ball from one side of the back line to left post where Tori slapped it into the goal, 2-0. 

Another great cross came in shortly after and despite Ellie Selley’s best sliding effort unfortunately she ended up in the goal but the ball didn’t. More play happened, lots of footwork happened and some falling over. 

Working the ball from back to front we got it back up to Lally who battled at the top of the D with their defence, despite playing it onto both of a players feet it was clear she was going to have to do it again for anyone to acknowledge it. Short corner won, Slipped right and back in but Budes defence denied us this time. 

With our mids and defence continually denying Budes attempts to attack centrally and down the wings, we got the ball back up to their D with more clever play from our attack to draw the defenders, clearing the space for Lally to drive in and connect with the bottom left corner of the back board, 3-0. 

Reset for push back, with more fire in our bellies the team quickly won the ball back, charging up the pitch to win another short. Shot denied by defenders feet on the line… second short awarded… Injection from Kirstin, received cleanly by Chell at top D for Lally to slip left to Ellie, to Kirstin on Left post who slipped it passed a defender and goalie 4-0. 

Very strong performance from every member of the team and welcome sideline support from Janey and Martin (plus sandy doggos). Took us a moment to click but once we did, we showed composure and dominant play. Helen (aka Lally) took player of the match with 7 votes, Dee and Dani shared the others. Dee got a bit of a clean sweep for Donkey for her unfortunate green card.