Ladies 1s
Another team authored match report:
L1s were super eager to win after last week’s disappointment. We were ready and raring to go. We started well, applying pressure and responding to their attacking play. Me, me, me, I scored the first goal. It was loopy. Fish hurt her foot. She was limpy.
The oppo scored and we were bare vexed.
After half time we turned up the tempo. We changed formation and Canterbury were dumbfounded. But unfortunately this didn’t make any difference to the fact that they were really very quick and really very young.
The game however was ours with an amazing goal from Izzy. We then decided to ‘park the bus’ Mourinho style, which didn’t work! So it was left to Mog to rescue us with another hero scoop off the line!
Well fought and well deserved 3 points!
Hero of the day: Claire Shrimpie Boyling
DoD: Katherine Abbie aka Bulldozer
Ladies 2s
Ladies 2’s vs Basildon 3’s
The team rocked up to the academy in high spirits following our previous week’s victory! With an inspiring pre-match huddle, the team got off to a brilliant start and Nicky HH managed to get the ball in the net within the first 5 minutes of play. The team worked hard showing the type of passes and teamwork we have been working on in training. But unfortunately, Basildon managed to sneak a cheeky goal in and we were 1-1 at half time.
The second half we continued working hard with much of the possession and chances in our favour- but great defending by Basildon kept the much-needed goal at bay! Sadly, in the closing seconds of the game they managed to sneak the ball past our keeper, with the game finishing 2-1 to Basildon.
Some brilliant keeping as always by Michelle and brilliant tackles as always by Nicky VG. Also, a big shout out to our ever-faithful mini mascots who came out in the cold! Somehow I cheekily managed to swipe MOM today despite a green card- POP went to Nicky Vg for key/gate. But honestly, we just want an excuse to try your amazing cakes!!
Ladies 3s
Sorry for the much-delayed match report. The ladies 3s played away to Redbridge and Ilford on Saturday. We had a promising first half, given Redbridge’s position in the table, but conceded two (admittedly cracking) goals by half time. However, a lifted and hard ball during a short corner caught Hannah on the knee, leading to a really nasty injury.
We felt Hannah’s absence in the second half and, although we continued to play and defend well and had some exciting breaks, we conceded three more goals, putting the final score to 5-0 to Redbridge.
Sending our love to Hannah and wishing her a speedy recovery.
Men’s 1s
L2-1
Men’s 2s
Today Bedford came to visit.
Another day, another selfish teas performance from Rob Martin who got two ham sandwiches down him before anyone else had eaten. That was enough to beat Paul Matthews to POP despite the latter man’s poor choice of kit and breaking someone’s nose. Yogi Patel was in with a shout too for diving out of the way of a p-flick.
The ash of the week award goes to Ashley-Mark Perhat himself, for going beast mode and earning himself a green.
Matt Tanswell was the well-deserved man of the match. Fantastic up front and grabbed himself a brace.
Let’s not talk about the final score, yeah?
Men’s 3s
Braintree vs M3s
We won 2-1.
It was hard-fought and started with Parveen’s hour-long interrogation of the Screwfix catalogue on the way there. That definitely set the tone for the match.
Braintree were well-drilled and tried to hammer us from the off. They didn’t measure up to our defence. Fortunately for us, James scored from a DIY short corner routine late in the first half. Braintree soon replied from a short corner just before half time to (spirit) level the match.
The second half saw the M3s dominate. Daniel Clark and James Butler held the midfield well, creating a number of chances every time they had the ball. Daniel Clark put us ahead after a great break from Parv and Joe (his effort trickled in but he assures us this was part of the plan). This prompted an onslaught from Braintree, which the M3’s were equal to. Chucker’s expert picking and my theatrical ‘cramp’ threw a spanner in the works for the oppo.
Special thanks to Ben and Zain for playing brilliantly and stepping in.
Also, Steve had a quiet day in goal today and may be returning to the outfield again. We think he wants to show us what real injuries look like.
Most importantly;
POP for Shaun for a yellow and umpire chat
MOM for James for DIY chat and chiselling away in midfield.
Men’s 4s
W6-0
Men’s 5s
L5-0
Otters
With a makeshift side including Irfan and William (13) on debut, and Richard on resumption of his playing career, the Otters lost by a respectable 0-4 margin to a high-flying Harlow 2s, strengthened by a significant number of their 1s. Tom helped keep the score down with some great saves, but the match was significant for another first, stalwart Peter Clark’s first Man of the Match award, not only for his solid defending, but also providing a threat going forward.
