Stronger Pinks but successful Saints

Mid November. We hadn't played hockey for two weeks after a blanket week off in the Midlands and a frozen pitch up in North Notts. We were ready to get back out there and restart our winning ways, especially on our home pitch. After a week in which people shat on the pitch and goalkeepers were taking shots (what was Lisa thinking?!), we had our game plan ready and were going to take this green light game on. People who came to watch said the first half was a 70-30 possession game in our favour. We were definitely the stronger team and had most of the possession. But, we have found our weakness. We can't seem to score as easily as we did previously. So many chances came and went and we couldn't put them away. Northampton had the odd breakthrough and attack down the line of which initially not much came. However, we were pressing high. High enough to leave ourselves a little exposed at the back because we wanted to score so bad. Even though our agreement is to not leave the middle open for them to break through, we somehow did near the end of the first half. 3 of them, 1 Sutton goalie and defenders who came running in. Not enough people to mark, goalie marking, late touch. The ball rolled to the forward. She made no mistakes. 1-0 to Northampton, which felt very undeserved. Cracks started to show. We were no longer first to the ball. Our press wasn't tight. Second best in decision making and we were helped slightly by the umpires as well.

Half time came and stress levels started to rise a little bit. Our aim in the second half was to not dribble with the ball, try and not pass it through the middle too much, come to the ball and watch the second phase. We shouldn't be losing the game was the underlying message. Northampton started to see some opportunities and pressed harder in the second half, clearly aiming for another goal.

We were still the stronger side with most of the possession and most of the chances. Yet, we couldn't finish them still. Dribbling into sticks in the final 3rd, giving the ball away in needless places and we weren't quick enough on the bounceback when we were turned over. Make sure we are first to the ball? Jo made sure of it when Northampton broke through a couple of times. We might be losing, but there was a determination to stick to the 1-0 to ensure we had an opportunity to come back. But, like mentioned previously, Northampton started to sense an opportunity or two. They got a few short corners that weren't particularly well worked but we didn't press them in the D once we had stopeed their initial shot. The ball got put back towards the goal mouth and hit BFH's stick. It dribbled ever so slowly towards the back post. The injector was there. Jo dived for it. The ball went in the goal nonetheless. 2-0 to Saints. At least they put some of their chances away. Out of nowhere, it was like the 2-0 was a catalyst. Suddenly, there was a fire in our belly. We started to press hard again. We find ourselves in front of goal again. And then, we finally exposed their keeper's weaknesses. Get her to move, then slip the ball underneath her. Jenna did exactly that. 2-1. Still time left to score an equaliser. 5 minutes left. We were going to press hard, keep the ball there, create more opportunities. Final minute. Short corner in our favour. Messed it up. Got another one. Would we find the second goal and get a point from the game? Our short corners haven't been as fruitful as we would've liked this season. Their post player picked it and put it wide. No goal, a tough loss to take.

Because we have lost a few games in a row now, we are starting to slip down the table. 2 games next week, Stourport away on Saturday and North Notts away on Sunday. We could really do with a 6-point weekend to get ourselves back up the table again. If anyone fancies the trips to Stourport and North Notts (at 10am...), it would be greatly appreciated! We will do our best to put some goals away and get a little bit of confidence back. We might be down, but never out. Mighty Pinks never give up.