Middlesex League Division one
28/2/09 Eastcote 3rd XI 2 v Ashford 2nd XI 2
Report written by Tracey Holland.
The game started off with Ashford’s new line up of defenders (Luvvy, Karen, Kirsty and Sarah due to missing 2 of their key defenders Eline and Lisa) soaking up the various Eastcote attacks from the starting whistle. Once it was established that if we just remained calm at the back it would actually be possible to hold Eastcote at bay along with the amazing Liv in goal pulling up 2 great saves in the first half alone. This gave our halves (Shergar, Lynne, Lucy, Freddie and Ellie) the confidence to move up the pitch and distribute the ball beautifully around the pitch and deliver early balls to Lucy, Maria and Gillian up front.
A now settled Ashford patiently moved the ball up the pitch and some great linking from Lynne to Lucy to Gillian who crossed the ball to Maria waiting in the D to have a first time shot at goal, the Eastcote keeper pulled off a great save but Lucy was waiting for the rebound and calmly flicked the ball over the keeper. Half time and we were stunned to be 1-0 up!
Second half and Eastcote came out strongly and immediately secured numerous short corners which the Ashford defence kept out. Unfortunately one straight strike was saved by Liv but the ball deflected into Karen’s face on the line! After some first aid and the loss of Karen for the rest of the game, the Umpire awarded a flick, which Eastcote calmly put in the top right corner and gave Liv no chance to stop. So 1-1 now and unfortunately 10 minutes later a major defensive error (yeah we all know it was me) on the P-Spot led Eastcote to going 2-1 up.
Oh no what were we do to, we couldn’t let this game go, not after all our hard work, so Lucy decided to take on 3 players whilst zig zagging from right to left and finally ending up 5 yards out from the P-Spot and slamming the ball at the astounded keeper, truly a great individual goal that had us all hugging each other madly, 2-2 game on.
Unfortunately it was not Liv’s day when she had to face another flick due to a defenders foot preventing the third goal going in 
This time a calm Liv dived to her left and stopped the ball going in the bottom right hand corner. Phew panic over and calm was restored.
The last 10 mins were pretty hairy as Eastcote piled on the pressure in their attempt to get the 3 points they assumed they would easily get against Ashford who are sitting at the bottom of the table, but it was the sheer determination of the whole team that gallantly prevented this on Saturday with everyone trying to clear the ball out of the D and Gillian tracking right back at one point to pick the ball up and send it down the line to a waiting Maria. Everyone was working their socks off even though we were all very tired united in our efforts not to lose this game, but it was the amazing stick save on the line when Shergar dived the length of the goal that prevented Eastcote from making the score 3-2.
Everyone played absolutely brilliant and it was truly a great team game.
Team: Liv Washer, Luvvy, Kirsty Hull, Sarah Appleton, Karen Fowler, Shergar, Lynne Morgan, Lucy Uttley, Ellie Ashford-Hodges, Maria Cavilla, Gillian Clegg, Freddie, and Coach MANDY WAIN
