DSHC vs Torbay (1-6)

So here goes for my first match report. I am sure many more will follow, yet I do feel that today I was being picked on by my fellow teammates. ?
This morning the DS Ladies 2’s arrived at Bullpoint where they were met with a sharp and cold westerly wind. Belle and myself were keen as mustard, having got down onto the pitch early after Emily had said we were going down. It's okay, we dealt with the rogue bird on the pitch. No, it wasn't one of our favourite pigeons but a lovely big pheasant instead (who may I add was alive and well). With the two of us running at it, waving our arms like a pair of crazy mad woman, he decided to take flight. It was at this point we were called in by Emily who had been waiting for us in the warm cosy changing rooms. (ooops sorry for the confusion - maybe my first donkey vote! )

So with the warm up complete and wise words from Michelle to remain composed, we were off. We started strong, maintaining control of the ball with some excellent passes by all the forwards and midfielders. It was a joy to see such beautiful hockey. We were looking really strong and definitely the better team. With Coxy screaming 'Press' everytime Torbay had a hit out we were on them over and over again. However with so many shots on goal we just couldn't seem to get one in. The battle continued through the first half but then when a sneaky player snuck in deep outside the D and was left unmarked, our fate was soon met when she had scored a blinder of a goal. The battle was on with some tough tackles and a lot of running back and forth but we conceeded yet another goal a short while later. I may have mistakingly shouted 'come on OP's' as the team walked back to the centre half. (My old team was OPM, so yet a few more Donkey votes for me. ?) However, we soon had the ball back up the field and it wasn't long before Emily scored. Yay!
The first half finished 1-2 to Torbay. (I think that was the score at this time) Emily and Dom gave us a motivating team talk to help us tackle the second half.

We started, eager to even the score but it just wasn't meant to be. We battled hard with some great passes being switched across to Lauren far out wide on the right wing. Unknown to her teammates, Isla was injured and it wasn't long before Emily was on the sideline with an injury/ pain in her knee. Talia was playing like a dark horse today with some excellent tackles and passes being made. Poor Sam ran her heart out and gave blood, not just once but twice destroying both her knees. Torbay were attacking hard and delivered some cracking goals much to the defender's dismay. Unfortunately one goal may have deflected off my stick on one such attack. Yet another Donkey vote.

Despite the final score being 1-6 to Torbay we left the pitch with our heads held high as all the team had played their very best and it was said, 'it was probably our best match of the season.'

Woman of the match (WOM) votes were as follows:

1st: Lauren - 18 pts
2nd: Emily - 17 pts
3rd: Coxy - 8 pts

Thank you so much to the umpires, supporters and of course the best teas in the South West cooked by our very own Cathie and Di.