Surbiton Under 18 Girls 2 v Ashford Under 18 Girls 0
19/4/09
The girls arrived early (okay around 1pm) at the Kingston Grammar playing ground. With Little Miss Forgetful leaving the balls in her own car, rather than the one she was driving in with the Photographer’s, so they were destined for lateness, and the girls were without a coach. Instead of following suit of the tall, blonde clones who were energetically running around, the Ashford lot sat, preserving their energy, discussing Nikki’s birthday and other similar tactics. The girls, who were still without Apples, Hodges & Stedeford were beginning to think they would have to allow pro GK Prothero, who was itching to get back into the kit, another go in goal, but luckily for the rest of the team, Stedeford and gang turned up. After a warm-up, consisting of pliés, en pointes, arabesques, the girls got ready to start and got off to a slow start. The marking was good yet for some strange reason Surbiton got a million short corners. But the speedy defenders Prothero & Sibia (when I said speedy – I just meant Anna!), ran out well, and of course ‘old skool’ Sarah was as dependable as ever and saved every possible strike (bar one). Suddenly Ashford girls got themselves into shape and played some of the best hockey I have seen all season. Participants included: TAYLOR, CROXON, HEWES, HACKI deliberately not forcing the ball into the circle, rather playing it in and out and creating space and movement. Top move, guys! I think the score was 1-0 at half-time, but not too sure to be perfectly honest…
Quick team-talk was given and the girls were up and at ‘em. Hodges had some fantastical runs down the middle and holding the ball for a second longer to slow down play. Apples really kept the spirit up and constantly had a presence on the pitch. Hewes didn’t give up and played the ball well, Hacki really hassled the Surbiton players, and boy did they get annoyed. But us Ashford girls don’t do thrashings. Quickly a short-corner was awarded (for the right team this time). A serious huddle was necessary, with the main tactic ended up being: “Eline – make it up!” Lovely. A straight strike was unfortunately thwarted but the reds carried on fighting. Fiona stepped in well when they were caught on the break and stopped any further goals from occurring while the rest of the team ran as fast as their legs could carry them. A moment which sticks out is some great passes between Croxon & Taylor (or maybe Smith? – memories gone) on the right. But again caught on the break, a quick accidental-sort-of-deliberate kick of the ball, by the bamboozled sweeper resulted in a short corner given, but hey – its better than a goal! The goal came later when the goalie was on the floor and the circle was fully populated with Surbiton players – determined to get glory for themselves. Score 2-0.
At this point, Skipper Hull, did a great job with not only her player, but the permed-haired opponent. Bryony Smith too had a superb game, running and taking people on, I’m sure that should go out a lot more before a game – as it definitely added fire to her flame. Sibia became slightly dehydrated and carried on moaning until she was finally allowed off the pitch. Mega-improved Megan (see what I did there?!) stepped quickly into Sweep and did pretty damn well! (So Sibia should watch her back!). So in the end we lost, however, we got tanned (some more than others – KIRSTY HULL), and that’s the main thing. And that my friends, is the last of my match reports this year. Toodles, Your loving Sweeper Eline Sibia x
