Ladies 3s Match reports

Anchorians Ladies 3’s kicked off their season in style with a dominant 6–1 victory, showcasing a level of confidence, composure and togetherness that has never been more evident.

The first half started with remarkable energy. Vicky marshalled not just the defence but the whole side, with Carrie, Evie and Frankie alongside her forming a rock-solid foundation. From that platform, the team pushed forward with a new-found belief.

The opener came from an unlikely but brilliant move: Tina chased what seemed like a lost cause down the left, cut inside, and found young Katie Pitcher, who showed maturity beyond her years by calmly slotting the ball straight through the keeper’s legs. Moments later, Lucy doubled the lead after tireless midfield work from Denise, who was everywhere. Out on the right, Tilly’s relentless running and service to Sian was pivotal, and it was from that combination that the third goal came. Winning a short corner, Sian fed Hoppo, who unleashed the trademark “Hoppo Hit,” hammering the ball into the backboard for 3–0.

The first half closed with Anchorians in total control. Frankie in particular stood out with a commanding and composed defensive display.

The second half continued in the same vein. Sian and Tina dazzled with their stick skills, gliding past players like stationary traffic cones, while Jess made impressive dribbling runs down the right, another youngster thriving on the confidence gained from summer league.

Soon it was 4–0. Hoppo once again drove into the D and, after her initial effort was saved (she definitely should have hit it harder), Anchorians were awarded a short corner. From there, Hoppo made no mistake with unleashing a furious shot to the keepers right, smashing it home to make it 4. A goal line clearance with a foot allowed the opposition chance to score from a flick. Up stepped the opposition, but captain Kirsty, not wanting to be out done by her phenomenal outfield team, produced a superb save down to her left to deny them. Moments later, Hoppo made sure of it with another thundering strike,almost a reaper of the previous short corner, completed her “Hoppo Hit Hatrick” to make it 5–0.

A late consolation was gifted to the opponents. Anchorians, however, had the last word. A flowing move from Tilly to Denise, then into Sian, ended with Lucy at the back post for a simple tap-in, sealing a resounding 6–1 win.

This was more than just a result. It was a statement. Every player contributed, the work rate was relentless, and the togetherness shone through. From the defensive composure to the attacking flair, this was a complete team performance and a proud moment that showed just how far the side has come since last season.

There was plenty of noise ahead of the game suggesting Anchorians were in for a tough test, and from the very first whistle it looked like those predictions were spot on. Marden arrived well drilled, exceptionally organised, and with quality that frankly looked like it belonged a few leagues or tiers higher.

That said, Anchorians actually carved out the first chance inside the opening minute. Tina’s effort struck a defender’s foot near the post, earning a short corner. Nothing came from it, but it was a nice reminder that Ancs could mix it with anyone when they got going.

Of course, hockey can be a cruel sport. Barely a minute later Marden broke straight through the middle and tucked away a neat move to take a 1–0 lead.

Rather than panic, Anchorians settled and played some of their best hockey of the day. With two youngsters making their adult debuts, the next 20 minutes were played with maturity and confidence. Tina went close again on 18 minutes with a fierce strike from the edge, almost converted by Katie at the back post. The stalwart that is Denise, drafted in at left back instead of her normal centre mid position and looking like she had played there all her long life, slipped a peach of a pass into Sian, who linked up beautifully with Katy. Katy, in the form of her life, dropped a shoulder, sold her opponent a dummy so good it could have been on eBay, and released Sian again. Sian’s endless energy was a real highlight throughout.

Vicky, as reliable as ever and orchestrating the defence and all around her whacked a ball forward with venom to set Sian 1v1, who cleverly forced another short by playing the ball off the foot of the tracking defender. Sadly the set piece didn’t quite click, but it was another sign that Anchorians were well in the contest.

Then came one of the more bizarre moments you will see all season. A loose ball near the byline somehow looped up, drifted over everyone, and dropped into the net. Even the Marden players looked surprised. At 2–0 down, Anchorians reached half time frustrated but far from beaten.

The second half brought misfortune as Frankie, rock solid in defence, was forced off with a knee injury. The reshuffle unsettled things, and Marden ruthlessly capitalised with three goals in the space of eight minutes. At 5–0 the scoreboard looked ugly, but it certainly was not a fair reflection of the balance of play.

Heads never dropped though, and the moment of the match came courtesy of Katy. Picking up the ball on halfway, she set off like a joy rider in a stolen car, weaving through five defenders who were left wondering if they should start charging for tickets for what they were witnessing. She burst into the D one-on-one with the keeper, only to be denied by a superb save. Had it gone in, it would have been a certain goal-of-the-season contender.

Anchorians finished strong, penning Marden in with successive short corners, but the elusive goal just would not come.

The final whistle brought a disappointing result, but not a disappointing performance. The team showed energy, resilience and moments of real quality. On another day the scoreline would have told a very different story.

Final Score: Anchorians Ladies 3s 0 – 6 Marden

Plenty of positives, plenty of laughs, and plenty to build on. Roll on next week.