Magnificent 7!

Sutton Coldfield Ladies 1s made the short trip to Cannock for this weekends fixture. I'm confused as to why we were playing Cannock for the second time already this season with the Mighty Pinks yet to face Timperley or Nottingham University in their league campaign. Thankfully the pitch survived the heavy rain fall but flooding did result in a rather muddy on-pitch affair. What a day to wear white!

After a resounding 9-0 opening day victory against Cannock it was vital that Sutton didn't allowing complacency to enter their game. Cannock started well and having won their last two games appeared confident to try to get something out of the game. It was long though before the Mighty Pinks took the lead with Emma McCabe slotting the ball through the goalkeepers legs. Vicky Woolford followed up with a pin point straight strike from a penalty corner and then Jess Batsford-Webb deflected home from close range. There was some scintillating hockey in the first half with the midfield finding plenty of space to create chances and wingers Leah Redfern, Georgie Chapman and Laura Groves putting in a good shift. McCabe added a second before half time to put the Mighty Pinks 4-0 up.

For Cannock, it was a case of 'Where's Woolford' as she stole the show in the second half; adding 3 more goals to top a fine performance (and finally get the elusive hat-trick after a succession of braces so far this season). The goals included a silky step-over from Charlotte Cross-Fellows, a conversion from a penalty corner routine and another from open play. Cannock continued to try to get something from the game and the Mighty Pinks defence had to stand strong to hold onto their clean sheet, seeing out a couple of penalty corners and attacking threats.

It started like Champagne hockey and fizzled out like Lambrini but overall is was another solid performance from the ladies 1s. Next week we face a different challenge against Timperley who are a strong and experienced side. Looking forward to the Mighty Pink home crowd.