Match Report: Ladies 3rd XI 13 Jan

Yateley 11-0 Marlow

Fresh from watching GB’s women’s hockey team win 2-0 against Canada, Yateley women’s 3s took to the home pitch confident in their play and looking for a 4th win in a row.

Up against a very full Marlow 7s squad (team just doesn’t seem right to use when 15 oppo players turn up!), a quick team huddle and instructions from Captain Helen to: start fast, put names on the ball and set the press early and the team were ready.

Within minutes of the starting whistle (2 to be exact!) Yateley were in Marlow’s D and the first goal was scored by Emily! 10 minutes later with lots of posting up in the D saw Hattie’s first goal. The next 16 minutes can only be described as textbook hockey! Quick, strong and clear passes across and up the pitch from midfield (Tanya, Lyss and Clara) through Niamh and Lynn in the middle to Sharon, Emily and Hattie up front with incredible triangles across the team and 5 more goals were added to the score by Sharon, Lynn, Hattie (x2 so hat-trick complete) and Emily!

Despite the score line, Marlow were persistent when they got the ball and attacked when they could but Yateley’s defence in the form of Nicki and Flippa were as solid and reliable as ever making critical interceptions and clearing the ball back up the pitch. Just 2 minutes before half time saw Sharon make her second goal. Halftime score 8-0.

Marlow knew they had to start strong in the second half and try and retain possession but despite them having pushback, Yateley 3s’ hunger for the ball and more goals was too great!

10 minutes in saw a run from Lyss assist Emily in getting her hat-trick. Marlow were quicker taking free hits and 16s meaning Yateley’s press was harder to scramble and get in place resulting in some breakaway Marlow play, but nothing that couldn’t be handled by Yateley’s midfield and defence.

The second half saw Mathi use her speed to dominate on the right with a number of runs down the line and across the baseline. Goals were harder to come by in the second half especially given a run of short corners, but Sharon was in the right place at the right time to score her hat-trick!

Not long before the final whistle saw Marlow awarded with their first and only short corner which was cleared before they had a chance to strike and how else would Yateley respond … a goal of course put cleanly in the back of the goal by Hattie!

11-0 final score ? a great result for a team who worked so hard and were united in play start to finish!