Women 1XI vs Torbay 1

Match Day! 

After a bare 11 against Okehampton last Saturday, we were looking forward to a strong team of 14 for the rematch against

Torbay. We had everything to prove after a Covid/drunken/hangover-filled draw against them in Torquay. 

But the universe had other plans and a combination of illness and last-minute work commitments had us once again playing without any subs. This called for some Spice Girls motivation to get us in the zone!

After a not overly-strenuous warm up (we didn’t want to overdo it before the game even began) it was time.. and what a start! It may have been our push back, or we may have intercepted straight away, either way we were instantly on the attack and with some quick passes made it straight to their D. A hit to back post saw Kat smash the ball into the goal and OC go 1-0 up within 30 seconds or so! 

That was enough to wake Torbay up. They came back with an energetic offensive, but it was no match for our solid defence who quickly cleared the ball back up to the midfield trio to work their skilful magic and get past the opposition. After some back and forth we were back in their D and hungry for another goal. There may have been a lot of scrapping in front of the goal (or that could have been later on) but after a number of attempts and saves by their keeper, the ball finally made it into the back of the goal thanks to Tori. 2-0 up!

There was a lot more of the same, with both sides attacking and defending well. Until we eventually won a short corner. With nearly a season of getting these dialled in, everyone knew what they were doing. However despite this, the Torbay defence was ready and got the ball away. Not to worry, OC was on it and won the ball back pretty quickly. Back on the attack and feeling another goal on the way. Some one-twos and some running later we were in their D and it was Jess’s turn to be on the scoreboard! 3-0 up!

Torbay weren’t going down without a fight and were on the attack. They made it through to the OC defence and towards the goal. There were some attempts on goal, but they were no match for OC. Although this may have been when Torbay won their short corner.. Defence ready, Torbay injected the ball. Straight through their own players and up the pitch to OC who had been running back to help defend. We took this opportunity to put pressure on Torbay and made a quick break to attack. Feeling the pressure, they conceded another short corner and this time we went for right slip out to Jess. The defenders were quick though and the ball made its way to Lally, who hit/swept the ball through the defence and soaring past the keeper into the back of the net. Unluckily, being lifted, this wasn’t a goal (as awesome as it was) and the ball was back to Torbay. Not for long though as some solid midfield play kept the ball in the Torbay half. Back on the attack and we were straight back in the D, with what was maybe the scrappy play in front of the D. The opposition were determined to keep us from getting another goal, but there was no stopping Tori who sent the ball straight past the keeper. 4-0 up!

With no subs this half was exhausting, however it wasn’t over yet. Back on the attack and in their D, a sneaky foot won us another short corner. This time was a Lally straight strike but the keeper was ready and kicked the ball directly Becky, it was my turn for a goal and I pushed it right in at back post. 5-0 up!

A bit more play, and maybe another short corner to us and the half time whistle finally blew. 

Lots of positive half time team talking went on (with sweets this time too) and an emphasis on game management. This was our game and we just needed to keep it. 

The second half happened with increasing tiredness, but we stayed solid and managed the play without conceding a single goal (or scoring another one, but we’d already scored 5..).

5-0 win, with just one match to go!