The AAs set out on their expedition to Mill Hill School, determined to achieve revenge for the recent home defeat. Unfortunately Kelly Roberts had to withdraw on Saturday night & instead had a slightly less exciting visit to a walk in centre to have her broken finger diagnosed. Skipper Lynne pulled off her usual magic & with recruitment consultant goalkeeper Hayley Lyon on speed dial managed to find a wonderful replacement in Jane Thompson-Smith, so the team was back up to 11 with an injured Gillian Clegg in reserve.

HMHP won the warm up with a co-ordinated display whilst the AAs had a good chat with a few stretches thrown in for good measure. The game started in a spritely fashion & it was pleasing to see newcomers/guests Kat Ricoux & Jane Thompson-Smith (welcome), slotting in seamlessly & being thoroughly embedded in the team throughout. After a fun 13 minutes of play, the AAs put their first score on the board. The details of which were debated but involved good team play down the right, into the D to Nicky Benedict & a fine hit into the goal crossing into the far left hand corner. After 19 minutes the AAs won a short corner. A lovely injection fired the ball up to Gill, well controlled she looked up & saw Kat forward and free to the right with a clear path through. A super ball was delivered & Kat did not disappoint with a beautiful connection beating the keeper for number two to put the AAs 2-0 ahead.

Meanwhile the defence earned their match tea & kept out all comers. Linda McCormack, Jane, Carmen Coetzee & Tina Clarke combined expertly to counter all attacks. Keeper Hayley was called upon to show her skills & not only saved well on numerous occasions but kicked the ball out hard, far and accurately to begin the AAs next attack. Lynne was putting in her usual shift – unusually on the left of the midfield though & she linked well with Jane, Carmen & Tina with some lovely triangular moves. At one point Lynne’s legs got confused & she crumpled in a heap. Everyone stopped to give her a chance to rise and we then restarted with a bully. HMHP’s kit of green tops proved an interesting experience. Their left forward stayed out very wide & very high, blending in with the surrounding trees & essentially being camouflaged! Undaunted Linda calm in defence as always, was able to keep her in her sights but it was quite a challenge.

At half time jelly babies were happily consumed & the AAs rehydrated & went again after the one umpire had warned the squad against stick tackles. Within 5 minutes of play, Oli Staples, commanding and dominating the back as usual, had been given a final warning when sweeping the ball off the pitch (not a stick tackle in sight). As HMHP attacked, Carmen was got a green card & got an extra rest on the side for a stick tackle. Sophie Dawes (making a welcome return to the AAs), executed a lovely run down the left & with a nifty reverse stick won a short corner. Kat injected to Nicky B – who is currently playing out of her skin – jigged around one, shimmied around the second, danced around the third & then shot the ball home making the score 3-0. The AAs were now dominant with lots of room and space to pass the ball around. Ever present Nicky Davis not to be outdone by Nicky B. was running riot on the right, with excellent link up play, 1-2 s & creating great opportunities. To their credit, HMHP persisted in trying to get back in the game & a good attack saw them score from a short corner. Somewhat miffed at conceding the AAs pushed back & played the ball down the right, through Kat up to Nicky D, slipped to Nicky B, back to Nicky D, back to Nicky B, (just showing off now), & a successful strike on goal & hat-trick for Nicky B; put the AAs 4-1 up. Meanwhile, one of their players did a Lynne & tripped herself up; making it.1-1 on the fall front. She sadly hurt herself though & had to go off – so a second bully was held. Gill came on after 20 mins of play, as HMHP were attacking; Gill unfortunately did a mild stick tackle on the half way line. It didn’t impede the player & the play continued unabated. After the play finished the umpire showed Gill a very unfair green card. However, despite both teams attacking well, the score remained at 4-1 at the end, to give the AAs a vital win. Thanks to Lee & our other supporters who kept us going.

Player of the match was not surprisingly Nicky B with 5.5 votes, Tina 3 votes, Oli 2 & Kat 1.5.

Team: Hayley Lyon (GK), Linda McCormack, Jane Thompson-Smith, Oli Staples, Carmen Coetzee, Martina Clarke, Kat Ricoux, Nicky Benedict, Lynne Morgan, Nicky Davis, Sophie Dawes, Gillian Clegg.

Goal scorers Kat Ricoux x 1 & Nicky Benedict x 3