Ladies 2s Match reports

So today the ladies 2s travelled across to Maidstone for what we knew would be a tough match. But we were coming off the back of a great second half last week, a team that was starting to have some consistency, and very happy to welcome Emma Strangleman into the team.

We started wanting to carry on our performance from last week and didn’t we just. It was a solid first half, there was distribution in all directions, forward runs, swings round the back, and solid passing throughout. We made some good runs forward putting pressure on the Maidstone defence, and defensively were very strong stopping lots of plays. 

I genuinely have no idea what the score was at the end of the first half was… our half time team talk seemed to give us a bit of something going into the second half. Our play continued to be strong, fluid and tricky for Maidstone. During this half there was a gorgeous piece of play going forward; it had passes released just when needed, the Maidstone defenders struggling to stop us, and Ro putting one past the goalie in style!!   

Emma and Steph were a strong pairing in sweeper and CB, working seamlessly as a pair. Alice as ever was solid at right back, making some great runs forward and solid defensive plays. Freya continued to flourish at left back, learning from those to her right and finally finding her voice. We’d never heard her shout so much on pitch!! 😳 Mel, Little Katy, Lily, Lila and I made up the midfield, with Big Katy, Evie and Ro in front of us, and oooh did we continue where we left off last week 😍. The passing, the talking, the runs forward and back 👌🏼 To top this all off we had Kirsty in goal once more, who had an amazing game. Some of her saves were spectacular and Maidstone had to work hard to get anything. 

No idea when Maidstone managed to put their goals past Kirsty, but apparently they did, which doesn’t reflect on our team performance at all! 

It was another hard vote for player, as so many had outstanding performances today, but when the vote was in Freya won her inaugural ladies 2 player of the match title 🥳🥳 The vote for special however was not quite as difficult… as Ro managed to arrive to play a hockey match without a stick 🙈

We finished the game Maidstone 4 - 1 Anchs 🤷🏻‍♀️ but we are not upset as the team continues to go from strength to strength. 

Today the ladies 2s were away to Ashford for a very early slightly chilly meet! 

We had a team we were confident in, with subs, and looking to keep building on our previously positive performances.

First half was a good performance from us, though the score line didn’t really show it. Big Katy, Lily, Little Katy, Evie C, Lila, Mel and Ro were making our attacking plays. They made some brilliant runs forward and passes between them, and coming towards half time it was clear Ashford were struggling to cut our plays down. When needed they were making committed runs back with their players ensuring our defence was strong as always. Steph, Evie L, Freya, Alice and myself were the defensive line; Steph was strong at sweeper as always and Evie was making sure the rest of us knew exactly what we were doing. Alice and Freya fiercely defended from their sides making some great clearing plays but drugs did lead to Freya hurting her back (again 🙄), ruling her out for the second half. 

Somewhere within this the oppo did manage to score 4… But Kirsty was on form making some great saves ensuring we didn’t go in with a bigger deficit. Our attackers put together a beautiful offensive run which led a short corner; which was sent to goal by me and perfectly dinked past the goalie on the line by Mel scoring a lovely goal!! 

Second half, Kirsty continued to put in an outstanding performance, making some great clearances, being vocal about what she wanted from us and keeping the score sheet low. Defensively we had to switch it up with Freya off🤕 so Evie L dropped back into defence, keeping our back line solid. We came together as a team this half, with the defensive and offensive plays working seamlessly. Our offensive runs were giving Ashford trouble, with them only being able to hinder us at the final hurdle, almost all of the runs almost paid off but we just weren’t able to convert to goals today.

Somewhere within all of this apparently Ashford scored again 🤷🏻‍♀️ leaving the final score at Ashford 5 - 1 Anchs 2s.

Special was awarded to Katy P for many things, including running into a fence 😂 Player of the match was again a tricky call but Mel came out on top in the vote 🥳

Overall a great showing for the ladies 2s, if we can keep playing like we did in the second half consistently we will be a force to be reckoned with!!

Today the ladies 2s were at home to Sittingbourne! 

We had a team we were confident in, though were a little apprehensive about only having 11…

First half was a good performance from us; with Charlotte, Katy, Lily, Tilly and Ro making some brilliant runs forward and passes between them. When needed they were making committed runs back with their players ensuring our defence was strong. Hattie, Helen, Freya, Hoppo and myself were our defensive line; Helen and Hoppo were the control centre, making sure the rest of us knew exactly what we were doing. Hattie and Freya didn’t let anything come down their sides without fierce resistance. 

Somewhere within this the oppo did manage to score 2…?? But Katy B had an incredible half in goal. And our young ones put together an amazing offensive run which led to Katy P scoring a gorgeous goal!! 

Second half, Katy B continued to put in a blinding performance, making sure she knew exactly what she wanted from those in front of her, along with some great clearances. Defensively we had to switch it up not long into the half as Hoppo had to leave the pitch injured 🤕. This meant that Helen dropped into a sweeper/centre-back role, with myself as centre back in front of her. Turns out that worked quite well! Especially with our girlies either side of us and in front!! We came together as a team and our offensive runs almost paid off several times, with one time it ending in Lily being taken out by the goalie. 

We kept a clean sheet this half meaning the final score remained same as end of first half. Sittingbourne 2 - 1 Anchs 2s.

Some of our favourite moments from the included Katy P coming onto the pitch with Tilly’s stick at the start of the second half, leading to Tilly coming on the pitch with no stick 😝 Charlotte also managed to throw our squishies all over the astro, earning her special of the game 😂 Player of the match was hard call but Katy P won the vote 🥳 honourable shoutouts to Helen and Katy B for outstanding performances as well.

Overall a great showing for the ladies 2s!!

Today the ladies 2s went to T.Wells! 

We had a good mix of experience and youth in the team and a promise of baked goods when we finished!

We set up with a line of experience down the middle; Hoppo up front, Katie B and Siân in the middle, Izzy and Steph at the back, with Kirsty in goal. Solid! 

We then had Tilly up the front; Mini Mel, Katy P, Lily and Roisin rotating through the middle, with Freya and Hattie finishing up our defensive line. 

The first half started with us realising it was very hot, and it was going to be a hard game. Our defensive line was working smoothly together, talking to one another, the holes were plugged and shots were stopped. Kirsty was on fire in goal, making saves at all sorts of angles, keep a clean sheet until just before half time. 

Our midfield and forwards were working hard! There was a lot of pressure on getting forward after heavy defensive periods. But all of our young ones were committed to making some amazing runs forward, breaking through the T.Wells line and using the adults in the middle to aide their runs. As well as determined runs back making great tackles and doing what the team needed of them. 

We went into half time 1-0 down. 

We then went into the second half with the same attitude and approach to play. Katy P and Lily were making incredible tackles to win the ball on the left, driving forward and creating opportunities. Roisin and Mini Mel were everywhere and anywhere we asked them to be, making some incredible interceptions and harassing their players with persistent shadowing. Freya and Hattie continued to be absolutely solid in defence until the very last second of the game, with clear outs and stops that made us proud! 

Hoppo changed position a few times through the half, allowing us to take advantage of both her agility on the ball and walloping hit; which quite suitably got us our first goal, and their goalie was miles off it. Katy B and Siân continued to work the middle of the field, with defensive and forward runs. Katy made some incredible plays allowing the team to push forward and put on pressure. Steph and Izzy continued to put in a shift at the back, working fluidly as a pair, both making decisive tackles and strong plays with Kirsty being integral as well. 

Somewhere within all of that, the oppo scored 2 more. But we weren’t down and out with several short corners that we were unlucky not to convert, and one that equalled the last play of the game. Hoppo again smashing it past their keeper, to end the game 3-2.

Some of our favourite moments from the game included Kirsty being so fierce she bundled one their players to the ground! As well as Katy P attempting to throw an umpires stray green card off the pitch with spectacular failure, earning her special of the game 😂 Player of the match was a hard call but Mini Mel won the vote 🥳 

Overall a great showing for the ladies 2s!!

💜 Ladies 2s – Home against Dartford 💜

3–0 loss

It started off positively, with everyone having their purple scrunchies and Helen being early for the first time in 4 years! 🤣

Anchs started strong, with Tilly and Melissa driving up the wings to create space for Lily and Evie up front. Unfortunately, we just weren’t managing to put the ball away.

Some wonderful movement and driving forward in midfield from Helen and Sian, with everyone running their hearts out.

Anchs got a short corner, but again, despite great positioning, we just couldn’t score.

Dartford then worked the back line hard, with Alice, Steph, Hattie and Izzy clearing the ball so many times before finally getting a goal past Kirsty, who had been throwing herself all over the place! (Even at her age 🤣)

We went into the second half with a little switch-up and started strongly again, but the Dartford forwards managed to get what felt like 29 short corners in a row! Dartford eventually converted, and we went 2–0 down.

Anchs didn’t give up, and we really did play our hearts out, but Dartford got a third and it ended 3–0.

Special went to Steph for shouting “Mine!” and then completely missing the ball. 🤣

Player of the Match went to Katy for her constant battling at right back.

Well played, all! 💜🏑