Wobbly start to the game

By Jo Hare

but after a regroup all comes together

Ladies 4s beat Welwyn Garden City 2-0 in another strong performance at Fortress Sandy.
The 4s got off to a wobbly start with the team still adjusting to the new formation and with a few returning faces, and for the first 15 minutes, Welwyn were able to pile on the pressure making for a very unsettled start. Slowly we started to get the hang of it again, and put some of our own passes and play together, and work out how to nip round the opponents (instead of trying to go through...)
A strong short corner strike by Lindsay Cook was met well by the defender on the line, who could only deflect it upwards to ping in off the underside of the crossbar, to put S&S 1-0 up and take the pressure off for the rest of the half, giving the defence the occasional breather whilst the midfield started to find their feet.
We regrouped at half time, and were able to put more effort into better passing in the second half, finally getting some good combinations and cracking crosses and strikes in - only to discover just how brilliant the WGC keeper was, with some superb saves to keep them in the match. Play was tight throughout the second half, with chances and short corners at each end and no real chances to relax between breaks. Eventually a determined powerdrive by both Lynn Higginson-Carter and Nat Baker saw the ball taken over the goal line for our second with just 10 minutes to go. We still couldn't sit back though, and managed to keep the opponents' swift breaks at bay for just long enough!
A really good 2-0 win (our first in this division!) in the sunshine; Man of the Match (again) to Clare Jeynes with impressive control and drive through the midfield, with several players getting votes too, showing the teamwork that helped get us through. Special mention to Lindsay & Nat for showing up and playing as supersubs against their better judgement :-)
Has to be said that this was a really lovely tempered match - the hockey was strong but clean, and the youngsters on each side were encouraged throughout by the oldsters of both teams!