| Match Report |
A Christmas fixture meant that we were a little short this weekend and we are very grateful to Thomas and Lacymae for helping out, both doing very well. It was particularly great to see Lacymae back and leading the team. Haverhill are usually strong and today was no different, with them fielding some skilful players. We have always got team spirit on our side though and this was evident in abundance. Whilst we didn’t show much attacking threat, we were competitive and with Patrick and Sam in defence during the first quarter, supported by a compact midfield of Albie (in the centre) Thomas and Lacymae, supported by Vale who played a deep forward role, we kept clear chances to a minimum. When Haverhill were able to create openings, they were faced with an inspired Mia in goal, who pulled off a couple of outstanding saves. She wasn’t able to repel everything though and we were two goals to the bad at the first break. Onto the second quarter and this time Albie and Lacymae were in defence, with Patrick (in the centre), Vale and Samuel in midfield. The game followed a similar pattern, but against the run of play we managed to halve the deficit with Thomas bundling his way through three half-hearted tackles, including one from the goalkeeper, before passing the ball into an open goal. We changed ends at half time and Mia very kindly agreed to retain the gloves (a decision no doubt helped by how well she was playing, not for the first time this season). Thomas and Patrick were in defence this quarter and again we looked solid, with Patrick making some great interceptions. Some great balls out of defence by Thomas game us more of an attacking threat, but the wind was at our backs and the quick 4G surface meant that it was very difficult to catch any through balls. Lacymae ploughed a lonely farrow up front and took up some great positions meaning she would have been through on goal, if we had been able to get the ball to her. Unfortunately, we couldn’t and in injury time Haverhill managed to grab a goal to widen the deficit. So onto the last quarter and we were still in the game. Unnecessarily Haverhill made some substitutions for the last quarter, bringing on a couple of players from one of their stronger teams. This spoilt what had been a competitive game until then, with Haverhill then becoming the much stronger side. Patrick donned the gloves to enable Mia to have a run around on pitch, but neither could do anything about the goals that we conceded. The last quarter was a disappointing way to finish the first half of the season, but we shall ignore it given the approach adopted by Haverhill, which is not in-keeping with how they usually approach the games. We now have a couple of weeks’ well-earned break. Special mentions today to Sam and Patrick (as well as Lacymae and Thomas) who played really well, as they have done all season. The player of the match this week though was unquestionably Mia, who is establishing herself as a very good goalkeeper. Well done all and have a great Christmas.
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