Ladies 1s Match reports

Anchs 3-2 Burnt Ash

Anchs Ladies 1s played a friendly today against a Burnt Ash team who will be playing a league above next season. The first half Anchs were clearly still finding their footing as the visitors overwhelmed them a number of times and took the lead after a shot from the edge of the D took a vicious deflection past Herbie.

There were flashes of what we were capable of, as Anchs looked dangerous every time they were in the D and won a string of short corners, including one cleared well off the line.

Ash were the deserving leaders at half time, but Anchs were starting to knock at the door. A good half time talk saw us determined to play more of our own hockey although there was a bump in the road very early in the second period when the visitors converted a (slightly harsh) P-flick.

But the Anchs girls pushed back hard and, using the wings more, working hard off the ball and switching play quicker and better, they were a threat every time they went forward.

The first Anchs goal came from a broken down short, when Meg picked a clearance up outside the area, dribbled in and slotted just inside the right post. The second goal hit the backboard in almost exactly the same spot when Emma smashed home a straight strike on her debut.

The Burnt Ash attack started to lose some of its sting as they found it harder to get out their own area and with a couple of injuries to defenders, the Anchs back line did well to hold them out and some last ditch tackles were well needed.

The comeback was completed when a free hit on the half way line was taken quickly and played right to Jess making a beautiful run into space. Her first shot was blocked by the keeper, but she took the rebound round her and lifted into the far side of the goal.

Final score 3-2 against a team now a league above us. Great fight to come from behind to steal the win. Lots to work on but lots to feel positive about too.

Thanks to Richard for umpiring, Keith for nearly umpiring and the fantastic support we had on the sideline!

Ladies 1s made the trip to Orpington to play Knole Park in their opening gambit of the season. With big changes at KP over the summer we genuinely had no idea what we would be facing.

It turns out we had absolutely no reason to be worried. From their pushback, we won a short corner and a fantastic back post cross saw Laura force a great save from the keeper but she wasn’t going to be beaten twice, lifting the ball over her on the second attempt putting us 1-0 up within two minutes of the start.

Knole Park eventually made the most of a short corner, their best player to dribbling into goal.

Anchs weren’t having it though, after a great switch, Amy had the ball in acres of space on the right and drove it half the pitch before smashing it home with a little help from a defensive deflection.

Anchs 2-1 up at half time, and feeling very positive.

Second half saw A’s step on the gas, the third goal came from another great drive from Amy, before she slipped to Tash on the P-spot, who made no mistake slotting home.

Goal four was a big shot from Nat, which Maisie impressively controlled high, before calmly rolling past the KP keeper.

So much of A’s positive play came from excellent defensive work all over the pitch. The forwards and midfielders won the ball high so many times. The opposition’s strongest player had no room or time to play. The only time they slipped past the defence, Herbie came flying out to make an incredible tackle. They did manage to convert their only short of the second half, but only because of a wicked deflection.

Anchs weren’t done though, and in the dying seconds, Nat’s shot was too strong for the keeper and as it trickled through her legs, Charlotte came in to see it home.

A thoroughly deserved 5-2 win for the ladies 1s, five different scorers and an incredible team performance. Player went to Laura, but Amy came in second with fantastic work down the right. Special was shared between the Megs as one forgot her shirt and the other did a little horse trot off the pitch when she got cramp.

Ladies 1s hosted Canterbury today. We knew this would be a tough one as Canterbury came down a league with us. We were up for the challenge from the beginning. The start saw us have a shot on goal which we unfortunately didn’t convert, Canterbury then gained the lead from a well taken flick. Sarah Price almost got a touch but it wasn’t to be! Surprisingly enough we then won our own flick which unfortunately didn’t go in. This took us 0-1 at half time.

After a good team talk and regroup we came on strong. The start of the second half was relatively equal but then we dug deep and began getting the upper hand. We had a lot of short corners, one resulting in an absolute champagne moment goal from Natalie Summerhayes, Sarah Lack slipped left to Megan Doutch who took a shot and Nat picked up the rebound and hit it home, tricking the goalie and sending her to the ground for the ball to go over her!

We kept on fighting and had a few more chances on goal. The game ended 1-1!! A great result and an excellent team performance.

Player went to Lacky and Mika Scott for their relentless battling, special went to Maisie (for her orange comments 😅 and Nat for her wonderful bouncy celebration and champagne moment also went to Nat for the unreal goal !

Thanks to Keith Hopkins and Andy for umpiring !

Well done girls an amazing team performance 💜