Won 2-1
Scorers: Barnsey
MoM: Becs & Barnsey
DoD: Lorna
With thanks to team sponsor L1 http://www.canterburyhockeyclub.co.uk/patrons
Back at home after an unfortunate draw last week against Bath, we were ready to take on top of the league. With the return of Barnesy giving us an extra boost, we started off strong, defending Surbiton’s early circle entries, and bringing aggression to every tackle. Unfortunately, Surbiton matched this aggression and managed to win a short corner, which led to a goal (we scored it🔥), bringing the score to 1-0.
However, we didn’t let this (or the rain that made our fingers and toes a bit chilly) affect our play and for the rest of the quarter, Canterbury remained strong in defence, with Becs making some great saves during Surbiton’s corners. Some more structural play, and overlapping of the halfbacks, allowed Canterbury to take more control of the game, pressing higher, and getting more opportunities on goal in Surbiton’s D. As the whistle for the end of the half was blown, we managed to secure a penalty corner, however no goal meant the score at the end of the first half remained at 1-0.
Refuelled on sweeties and having discussed ways to improve our play in each line, Canterbury preceded to match Surbiton’s intensity, with the forward line relentlessly putting pressure on their defensive transfers, and more overlapping of lines, making for more opportunities on goal.
However, Surbiton remained determined to score another goal, and continued to lead high, resulting in another penalty corner, which, after a bit of a kerfuffle in the D and some incredible saves from Becs, unfortunately they were able to score from (top bins), making the score 2-1. Canterbury however, remained composed, transferring around the back to keep possession as well as through the middle thanks to some brilliant stick skills from Lauren and Amy.
A penalty flick at the end of the third quarter from Barnesy, brought the score to 2-1.
Determined to take the win, both teams fought on throughout the final quarter, and although Canterbury made some great drives down the right, we just missed out on a goal, meaning the final score was left at 2-1 to Surbiton.