CALA Ladies 3s - The One With All The Ice Packs

Right first things first, hockey has been unkind to the L4s recently and we needed a more welcoming fixture.... Whaaaat Cala 3s sitting 2nd in the table, great...

An energetic warm up and we were ready and raring to go. A change up in formation saw a more attacking shape, was this a cunning tactic by Mel or sheer ruddy hooliganism. Read on or ask the amazing L5 support who turned out in their masses.

Cala started quickly and confidently (unlike the author who realised she had forgotten to put any make up on, poor buggers coming up against this face). Flashbacks to the teams’ previous encounter reminded the defence that they were in for a tough day. L4s however started calmly and broke down some strong Cala attacks before they needed to worry Saskia OBE (for services to hockey after the performance she put in today, keep reading...).

Mel’s instructions were clear, ship the ball wide and high up the wings. Captain’s orders were set in motion, Catie and Emily received strong distribution from Hannah C and with Julia and Rozy poised like greyhounds before the gates lift, the ball was out and up the field seamlessly.
With all this beautiful wide play it was easy to overlook the sheer dogged shift by Mel and Hannah in the middle of the pitch shutting down Cala’s key players. Well done glamazons.

A breakdown in midfield saw the ball shipped to Suz who was on a mission today and that mission was headed straight for Cala’s goal, a slip pass saw Olivia open and ready to tuck the ball away. GOAL. JUUUUICE.

L4s settled back into their shape and kept their heads, more chances ensued with some very close misses. Cala sneaked one back before half time with a well worked goal from the top of the D. Not to worry 1-1 at half time and a lot more fight in the reserves.

The second half saw L4s start a little more tentative despite a very positive half time team talk. However Jena and Hannah C worked tirelessly at the back to fend off the ever present Cala threat. Suddenly the pitch was surrounded with local dogs from nearby houses responding to the high pitched shriek from Catie after she took a missile to the foot. Lady down. Ice pack please.

L4s found their fire again and Jenny whilst on a sabbatical out wide marauded, wait no, I have marauded written down against Catriona and Isobel’s names, Jenny er... battled on the wing and found a sublime pass to Liv. Not bad for a Liverpool fan. Liv and that magnetic stick, seriously we should sell tickets. A trademark Liv dink over a defender’s stick saw her one on one with the keeper, AS IF you need to ask what happened next. 2-1 maroon.

Right ladies, knuckle down and keep our heads on, take a breather, WAIT what is this! Janey running r-i-o-t, a drive down the left, a drive down the right and so close to reaping the rewards of her efforts! Isobel and Catriona were marauding (there it is) down the wings with some beautiful reverse pick ups, the hunger to score more was insatiable.

Cala stepped up the pressure and committed players forward but our defence were valiant in their efforts with Saskia pulling off some unbelievable, I’m saying it twice for effect, UNBELIEVABLE saves to keep Cala out. Unfortunately Cala converted a chance with a beautiful strike from the top of the D. 2-2.

The remaining minutes were tense. Isobel off with cramp. Ice pack please. Hannah C taking a hit on the hand. Ice pack please. 7 Cala players in the D. Tin helmets please. Final whistle. Breathe. A well earned point for the L4s will be a real boost as we head into our cup match next weekend.

Playre of the Match: Saskia Braun
Thank you to Iain McGillivray for umpiring.