Lost 3-2
Scorers: Alma Lersch & Cara Brogan-Jones
MoM: Alma Lersch
DoD: Amy Stoutt
With thanks to team sponsor L1 http://www.canterburyhockeyclub.co.uk/patrons
A beautiful morning at Polo Farm saw the fog clear for what was to be a rollercoaster of a game.
Following a minute’s silence and Captain Jorja’s unique battle cry, we pushed back.
Canterbury started strongly, creating some good opportunities but failing to capitalise. Wimbledon found their feet in the second quarter and before we knew it, we were 3–0 down at half-time.
After a much needed regroup, the fightback began! Some fab pressing from Holly (adding yet again to her collection of bloody knees) and energy from Alma helped get us back into the game, with Alma finding the goal in the third quarter.
Amy then managed to collect both a green and then a yellow card within a few minutes of coming back on, for allegedly being too close to the play on both occasions. Some say she’s still protesting the distances and insisting there was no whistle.
Back to 11 players, our second goal came from a worked corner routine which Cara BJ slotted in, to take it to 3-2. A close DOD contender- Ella very kindly thought she would try to go off in the place of the Wimbledon no. 6 for their green card, despite being on the other side of the pitch when the foul happened. Thankfully it only took every player, coach, assistant and MO on the side line to convince the umpires to stop the game, before the correct player was eventually sent off.
Tamsin pulled off some fantastic saves, but was eventually withdrawn in the final minutes as Canterbury brought on an extra outfield player in search of an equaliser. Sadly, it wasn’t to be and the game finished 3–2 to Wimbledon.
MOM: Alma, for her resilience and determination.
A special shoutout to Lydia for a great debut too!
Despite being disappointed with the result, we can reflect on some of the positives of having played some of our best spells of hockey this season and leaving the game without any more injured hands.
We continue to build, taking the positives and looking forward to next week’s challenge.