A game saving save on the line

The 4th team seem to be dropping like flies with injuries so the team was complimented with some of our juniors and a couple of 3rd team players, what I didn't realise when asking people to play was I was overloaded with forwards!!

The first half eventually started after John Bates sprinted to Andrea's car having left her helmet in the boot, John then collapsed needing an oxygen mask which brings into question whether he really does do an hours 7-aside football each week? Lisa Malpas made a welcome return albeit for 10 minutes each half (taking no chances!) and new junior faces Sarah Pearson and Sophie Binder were raring to go.

Didsbury Greys made a strong start and the Stockport team struggled to get the ball out of midfield, players started dropping back providing no target up front to get the ball clear. Didsbury were well organised and were soon taking shots on goal but sterling defending by Kelly Pickford, Helen Taylor and Beth Sangster marked the Didsbury players out of the game.

Nat Sutherland played a great central position distributing the ball well and driving through the middle of the field putting constant pressure on the Didsbury Greys defence. But it was a goal clearance that created a counter attack up the right wing through Jen up to Lisa Hughes on the right wing. Determined play kept the ball on the pitch and Lisa's cross found Emma Higgs on the post who swept the ball into the goal.

Just before half time Didsbury Greys forced a great save (although I say so myself :-)) from keeper Andrea Boulton so the score line remained at 1-0 at half time.

The second half was end to end hockey and the Stockport midfield had their work cut out especially as we had forwards playing defensive positions so that everyone took a turn at subbing off. But Caroline Lumsden rose to the challenge in mid field cutting out a lot of the central play and pushing up pressing the Didsbury defence and getting on the score sheet. Although 2-0 up Didsbury were not giving up and their passing improved as the game progressed. Lisa Hughes who was playing so well, had to go off with a pulled hamstring (WE MUST WARM UP PROPERLY!!) so a small re-organisation in the defence was taken advantage of by Didsbury who converted a penalty corner and it was game on. Christina Bates applied pressure up front with Claire Lumsden and Fiona Holland and chances were created but they just missed that final touch. Emma Higgs having scored in the first half moved to playing out of position at left half and although did not enjoy the experience played the position brilliantly sending some long balls up the left to Sarah Pearson who got in some excellent crosses into the circle.

Didsbury almost equalised when the goal keeper was beaten but Helen Taylor made a game saving save on the line minutes before the game ended, final score 2-1 - another great win, player of the match Andrea Boulton :-)