Heriots - Young Guns

It was a youthful selection of Ladies 4s that made their way to Goldenacre Playing Fields this weekend, with seven of our 16-strong squad having seen less than 18 summers. (Others amongst us have blanked out as many as 18 summers – here’s to you, Magners and ice… but I digress). Captain Mel had blended the dynamism of youth with the leopard-print guile of experience. A potent combo.

On a bright, crisp morning - perfect for hockey playing – Jodie led the warm-up. We looked sharp (must have been the yoof) as we followed her instructions, (wo)manfully opening our – ahem – gates on command.
As the whistle went, we took to the field in Real Madrid white. 11 Galacticos. Our young guns wet behind the ears, and a few of our elders a little more arid.
We started strongly. Juice was back up top, and even with 1.5 hands (N.B. not a horse measurement) a force to be reckoned with. She and Suze pulled Heriots defence east and then west with their intelligent running and stick skills. And it wasn’t long before Liv picked up a great ball on the right from Rozy, turned, ran at the defence and scored. 1-0 to the white stuff.
At the other end, we were no less impressive. Jena and Hannah’s composure belied their tender years as they pinged pass after pass around the back. Catie was as watertight as ever – even if she did lack the energy to shout loud enough to be substituted. Moral: don’t grow old, kids. And Jodie! Mein Gott. Buoyed by the frankly astonishing England rugby performance earlier, Jodie was stopping anything and everything that came her way. Not to mention getting involved in some glorious attacks.
In midfield, Mel was her usual fireball of energy and industry with Julia and particularly Kirsten dribbling out of trouble and sliding passes into the front two. In fact, the team was purring like the Queen on the phone to David Cameron when Suze picked the ball up on the edge of the D and tonked it home. The speed with which she hit the backboard suggested a release of pent-up tension. Almost like the result of – ooh, I dunno - her bike being pinched by a Chinese takeaway delivery boy the night before. Did somebody say Just Eat? Yes, officer, we did.
Young Olivia in goal had an absolutely storming game, but despite numerous great saves and blocks in the first half, one Heriots goal snuck in. At halftime oranges, it was 2-1.

If anything, energy levels increased in the second half. Jen and Emily made memorable interceptions at the back, and AJ ran and ran before another defence-splitting pass saw Juice pounce on a third goal. This was easy, right? Wrong. Heriots are no pushovers, and the game was a hugely enjoyable contest for how evenly-matched the sides were. There were goalmouth instances a-plenty, from both teams, before a Heriots player carelessly kicked the ball on the line. Penalty flick, ‘Sonians.
The assembled crowd waited for Juice to step up. She was on a hat trick, afterall (and Jenny – the usual flick-misser - had mercifully been benched). But in a Vice Captain-like show of generosity, Liv handed the flick to Catronia whose tireless running definitely merited a goal. The flick was saved on this occasion (but what excellent training for next time – props, Juice!) Game on!
Heriots pulled another goal back to take the game to 3-2 and set up a nervy finish, before Jenny shuffled off the bench and tucked a final goal away. As the final whistle went, we celebrated an excellent 4-2 victory and a pleasingly strong all-round performance. The perfect start to a team night of debauched, handcuffed bonding later – well, for those of us who’ve seen more than 18 summers.

Thank you to Rob for umpiring
Player of the Match: Kirsten Murison