Match Report: Ladies 1st XI 4 Nov

Bicester 2-1 Yateley

The ladies had a ridiculously early start on Saturday, in horrible weather, to make a 10am pushback in Bicester. Miles came prepared with a variety of breakfast options so at least the journey started positively.

Yateley started brightly and put Bicester under pressure from the off. Corners were won by Yateley but they could just not convert them.

Bicester played an aggressive game but Yateley gave as good as they got; this tenacity saw Ellen scramble a ball into the Bicester goal to give Yateley a 1-0 lead at half-time.
Ruth’s half-time talk predicted Bicester’s approach to the second half and they did exactly as expected. This involved playing a high press and playing 10 players in their attacking half. Unfortunately, Yateley just didn’t know quite how to respond to this and despite a huge amount of effort and some excellent hockey, Bicester pulled one back to make the score 1-1.

Yateley upped their game and several shots and corners were narrowly off target or saved by a strong Bicester keeper. The pace of the game was relentless and the defensive line were worked hard by a couple of very skilful Bicester forwards. A penalty corner was awarded to Bicester in the last play of the game and to Yateley’s dismay it was converted to give Bicester a 2-1 win.

Although disappointed with the result, the ladies were excited by the offer of teas in the pub across the road and Kealey was lucky to get her very own treat for teas.
MOM – Sophie for excellent defence