| Team | Ladies 5 |
| Opponent | Evesham & Badsey 1 |
| Date | September 28, 2024 |
| Result | Loss |
| Score | 1 – 3 |
The wind is howling, the rain is hammering on the roof and so it must mean we’re underway in a brand new hockey season. This year Lansdown L5s were in a new league and yesterday the sun was shining on us as we set foot back on the pitch at Casa Del Brockworth to play Evesham & Badsey L1s.
Aiming to follow on from the M4s performance, we had 12 players and not one CB in sight, meaning two “experienced” forwards in the form of Liz and yours truly were commanding things from the back. Not wanting to break with L5s tradition too much, we gave away a goal in the first few minutes as I grappled with what you’re supposed to do that far down the pitch and had nothing but “don’t put it in the goal” running through my mind.
That was the wake up call we all needed though and from that point onwards we were more focused, taking the ball more to Evesham & Badsey. Play alternated between ends with Evesham coming out the stronger in the first 15 minutes and L5s applying more pressure in the following 15 minutes with some lovely link up play from our midfield line up of Agnes, Clemmie, Gabby, Josie and Daisy, through to Erin and Lilia upfront.
The defensive of line up of Miya, Lottie, Liz and Livvy in goal shouted brilliant instructions to me in the middle which managed to keep the ball form going back into our goal.
I lost track of the number of shots we got away and towards the goal before finally one of Lilia’s famous cannons was fired home and hit the backboard.
We went into the half time break eager for our Squashies, Wine Gums (a new and welcomed addition Mark Vacher) and old skool oranges. We looked to work on a few things to improve but were playing well, so off we went again.
Evesham & Badsey came out strong as you would expect of such an experienced side and whilst initially we kept them at bay, we conceded two goals early in the second half, one of which came from a very well worked short corner that you can only admire and applaud as an opposition player.
Mid way through the second half, this resident traffic cone has to admit to a bit of an outer body experience as I was awarded my very first ever card in a hockey match….and most hilariously for those that know me, I was nowhere near the ball, play or umpires – in fact I was having a chat with Livvy in goal about Strictly I think. Turns out L5s were a little eager to get on the pitch and hadn’t quite let the previous player off before stepping on the pitch, so I was sent for a little lie down…I mean rest (which by that point I was rather grateful for).
We continued to press and put pressure on into the latter stages of the second half and did get the ball in the back of the goal again through some beautiful (poetry in motion) passing and play between Erin and Lilia, but unfortunately the whistle had already gone for back of stick.
Final result was 3-1 to Evesham & Badsey, however I came away chuffed with our first league performance in the new league and eager to see where this wonderful squad will go in the coming weeks and months. When I think where we started a year ago and compare that to where we are now, it’s incredible.
Big thanks to our umpires Shane, and particularly Amy who stepped up when we were struggling to get a second umpire. Massive thanks to our usual L5s Barmy Army who were out in force to cheer us on (genuinely we really can hear you from the side of the pitch!)
Player of the Match went to Agnes for some incredible and determined play in left midfield. Nothing was getting past her and she was making sure of it yesterday. I forgot to get a team photo in the excitement of gaining a card, so here’s one of the awesome teas we’ve been missing over the summer. ;P