Cheam Ladies 2nd XI

Report: A very early start, a soggy water-based pitch, would you believe me if I said we were raring to go? The pitch took some getting used to - very slow and bouncy but we had a very strong start with some great hockey in the first 10-15 minutes. Our hard work paid off with a goal from the captain.

Second half the oppo came out hungry for a goal and their persistence got them just that. We held on to get another draw - not a bad performance considering the conditions. We played some very good hockey at times, working as a team down the pitch. Some great saves from Kate and clearances off the line from Lexy, Steph and Anabelle. Babs also had a great game, maintaining composure and distributing well.

Quote of the day - Cas to Marshy - 'you need a hole in your foot the size of a hockey ball'

Report: First game back after too much turkey and a lot more booze was always going to be a tough one, particularly as we hadn't all played together for well over a month. The fact that we were playing bottom of the league was nothing to be complacent about as we were shown!

The oppo scored first but we battled back and after several short corners in the closing minutes of the game Lara smashed the ball into the backboard...

We were hoping to score a few more but alas it was not to be, but hey one point and one goal will do!

Report: Arriving extra early to Guildford's ground (even I was there on time!) to discuss our new formation, we were sure to have a good game against rivals Guildford who took the plunge with us last season.

It was a close game with both teams playing well. Unfortunately Guildford had a few more chances and made the most of them going up 1-0 in the first half. After a good few words at half time, we were determined to make a come back.

Second half started well - we had some good set play, however Guildford also battled hard and scored a second goal from a short corner. We didn't give up and were determined to get back in the game. With that we got the ball back into our half - (old-er) Claire drove the ball into the D from the right hand side and just as in training took it to the back line and then passed it back to the P spot where Gill was waiting to whack it in the back of the net.

We stepped it up a gear and were hungry for another goal and it was definitely on the horizon but sadly we ran out of time. A short corner in the last few minutes was cleared by Guildford's defence and seconds later the final whistle was blown.

Definitely a better game than the previous week and our new formation worked well. It was always going to be a close game and we can take a lot of positives away from it.

Report: And our undefeated streak has come to an end...

Disappointing game - we could have won and should have won but alas it was not to be. We had some great play and some good opportunities in the D but unfortunately that was also matched with some very average play. A game of highs and lows you might say.

We kept the scoreline to 0-0 at half time but unfortunately they managed to score half-way through the second half. There were some big units on the pitch and it was a partciularly physical game (Gill can certainly vouch for that).We will definitely be bringing our shoulder pads and elbows when we meet them again post Christmas!

Shep was kind enough to give us a penalty flick for obstruction in the D but despite Caz's best efforts the goalie managed to get a toe to it. We have subsequently added flicks to training practise!

All is by no means lost - we are still 3rd in the league and have everything to play for. With a good training session and a new formation for next Saturday we hope to be back on the other side of that red line!

Report: With it being half term it was a friendly match this week which meant we could suss out the opposition (currently 5th in the league) before playing them again in a couple of weeks in the league...

The teams were fairly evenly matched - by half time the oppo had managed to score a couple of goals however after a good team talk, Cheam came out fighting in the second half - a comeback was on the horizon.

We won a short corner and after realising Amy C was off the pitch, I injected out to Lara who slipped the ball out to Claire (old) who smacked it towards the left post. Managing to get my stick onto the end of it, to everyone's surprise (including my own) the ball hit the back board.

5 minutes later we were back in their D - Lara found some space and belted the ball into the back of the net.

Final score was 2-2 - we didn't make the full comeback that we had hoped but we will be hungry for a win when we meet Wayfarers again in a couple of weeks time...

Report: The Ladies 2s are on a roll - 2nd in the league and still undefeated!!!

A glorious day in Kennington Park saw a hungry Wanderers looking for a win - they came out strong with their big hits (am still sporting the bruises) but alas they could not break down our solid defence, particularly GK Kate, who was ducking and diving to great effect (great to have you back!) and also to Babs, who deservedly got GOTG. Our new routine for defensive short corners worked an absolute treat - I don't think they got a single first shot on goal with Lexi's epic runs to the top of the D.

Half time came and at 0-0 we had everything to play for. If we were honest with ourselves we hadn't been playing our best hockey and needed to step it up a gear...

We came out a new team in the second half, with some great set pieces, culminating in an excellent bit of cheamwork by Anabelle and Jenny on the right which Amy finished off in the D. A truly awesome goal!

We continued to battle hard to keep the oppo at bay and sure enough the final whistle sounded for another Cheam victory.

Thanks to Jenny for stepping in and helping us out.

Report: What a great game!

We came out strong from the off and played some excellent hockey. Old Claire (sorry!) scored in the first half to make it 1-0 by half time. The opposition fought back and got a goal from a short corner in the early stages of the second half, but we did not let our heads drop. The team battled on keeping strong on the ball and keeping play at our end of the pitch. Old Claire stepped up for the second time to put us ahead and Amy Lelliot added another goal to seal our victory!

Everyone had a great game - the defensive unit worked hard together with lots of good calls and encouragement from Caz and Sarah. Babs had an awesome first game back from injury. Special thanks to Meg for stepping in goal and making some great saves.

Today saw debuts from Charlotte Vaile, Claire Marsh and Amy Lelliot who all played exceptionally well - I'm sure we will be seeing more of them this season!
And finally well done to our captain Amy Collins who was running rings round the defence and creating lots of space up front...all in all a great effort.

Let's keep it up ladies - undefeated after 3 games...roll on next weekend!

Report: Winning and tanning (in that order) was the order of the day and we certainly succeeded in both!

Despite 27 degree heat and a very average pitch, we came out strong from the off. After several short corners (and some very narrow misses), Lara belted one in to make it 1-0 before half time.

Second half saw another blinder of a goal from Lara smashing the back board, followed a few minutes later by a well-timed rebound shot from Amy. Claire added to the scoreline with a cracking goal from top of the D and Lucy rounded the match off (her last of the season before she heads off to Bristol) with an excellent finish after a good run down the right wing.

An excellent game was had by all. We battled on till the final whistle in the blistering heat and didn't get complacent and it certainly paid off. Thanks to Chezza for stepping in to play in goal and hitting the ball all of 3 times - was it?!?

Let's keep up the good work - 7 goals in 2 games...come on Ladies 2s!!

Report:
After being 1-0 down, we fought our way back with a great goal from Kat. 1-1 at half time and we were determined to maintain our composure and give as good as we got!!

The oppo had a few lucky breaks and converted one of them into a goal, however we had some confident attacking play and managed to score one of Lara's special goals. Phew!! Time however wasn't on our side to score a winner but we are more than happy with a draw.

In summary and in the words of Charlotte.... we defended for our lives!! Seems like it has become a little bit of a habbit having all 11 players in our 25, something that we had to do last year before we got relegated!! This year however (and the next game) we are trying to get the ball up front to Lara and our other strikers for some more goal scoring action!!

Report: What a game!

After a dodgy 10 minutes, we played some lovely hockey today with some fantastic defending and strong attack from all players. Everyone seemed comfortable in their new positions and we really let the ball do the work this week.

By half time we were 3-0 up with goals being scored by Lara(1) and Amy(2). There was such a positive feel amongst the team, we were not going to settle for a 3-0 win. Within 5 minutes of the second half Kat scored a great goal which really put them on their toes. Lara then scored an absolute corker.... top corner of the goal may I add!!

After some excellent attack down the right hand side, Clare Marsh placed the ball in the back of the net and finally Lara finished off which yet another cracker. Both the oppo and us were scared of Lara's 'whollop' (the technical term we use in the 2's!!).

As I said before, a great game, lots of confidence for our first league game next week. Well done to everyone who played but especially to girl of the game which went to Lara!

Report: First game of the season....

New team? Tick
New formation? Tick
Aspirations to win? Tick
Aching muscles after match? Tick
Wish that more fitness training had been done over the summer? Tick
Despite the last two, had fun? Tick

Overall a very good, positive game to start the season! Looking forward to our next friendly game next week. Who will be the first to score for the ladies 2's???