L5 go into the Christmas break placed 2nd in the table after a thumping 4-0 win away against Hampton 2s. There may be a few teams just below with games in hand but let’s just enjoy it while we can!

Due to traffic problems, L5 started the game with only 10 players, looking anxiously at the car park for arriving reinforcements. However, deciding that attack was the best form of defence L5 took the game to Hampton from the start and mounted several good attacks that they were unlucky not to score from.

The cavalry soon arrived in the form of Sarah, Trixie and Emily, to even up the numbers, but L5 struggled to find their usual passing rhythm, and were nearly exposed several times on the break by some of Hampton’s pacy young forwards.

It took a well worked short corner to settle the nerves, with Cath slipping the ball to Preeth who finished low and hard for a 1-0 lead going into half time.

L5 used the half time team talk to regroup and in the 2nd half they looked far more settled and dangerous. Letty extended the lead early in the 2nd half with a cool finish into the bottom corner, and with Hampton now having to chase the game spaces began to open up.

L5 continued to press and went close on several more occasions through Letty, Tilly and Trixie following strong running from Maddie, Caitlin and Emily, but in the move of the game, Megan beat several players with a strong run from midfield and played a perfect defence splitting pass to Letty. Although Letty’s shot was saved, girl of the game (for the 2nd week running!) Preeth had sensed the opportunity and when the ball rebounded she was there to sweep home her 2nd goal of the game.

Just before the final whistle, up stepped Cath to apply the coup de grace with a short corner finish that rolled in off a defender’s foot for 4-0.

Another win. Another clean sheet for the indomitable defence. Another great team performance. It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!