More yet to Come from the Banbury Ladies?
BHC Ladies 1s - 2, Milton Keynes Ladies 1s - 0
With good availability this week, Coach Hobs was able to pick a strong team, and Banbury had 16
ladies for the visit of Milton Keynes; captain Becca was also a welcome late addition to the team.
After the last 3 games, where Banbury were unfortunate not to take any points, everyone was
determined to get over the line today and get some more points on the board.
Banbury started strongly and after Zoe had won the ball in the mid from MK, Maddie McCarthy then won the first of many Banbury Short Corners. Much work had been done on our shorts at training, so hopes were high that we could increase the conversion rate of all those won.
As the first half progressed, it was noticeable that Banbury were playing the best hockey, with lovely passing and movement and chances were being made. The opposition had difficulty getting the ball off the energised Banbury Ladies, and with 4 subs on the bench, the coach’s instructions were for everyone to run their socks off - and it was working. With all the possession, it was surely a matter of time before some reward would be forthcoming, yet on 18 mins, it was MK who got a Short corner. Would they score from their first decent attack of the game? No. Banbury defended well and the stalemate continued. However, on 20 minutes, after more Banbury pressure, an attack up the right-wing, saw Maddie squeezing the ball into the net. At last! One – nil to the home team. Banbury continued to dominate the play, and with substitutes coming thick and fast, the fresh legs were ensuring that MK were having a hard day at the office. Still, despite having all the play and 4 short corners, Banbury went in only one up at halftime.
Both teams looked up for it at the start of the second half, but after some good work by Jecca Tetley and Charlotte Bolland, Banbury had another Short. However, as with the 4 won in the first half, no goal came from this one either. However, Banbury continued to play well, and it wasn’t long until we won another short after some good work by Zoe Young; MK defended it well though, and the score remained the same. Perhaps the fact that there was still only one goal in it, meant that MK were starting to become a little more comfortable on the ball and they were looking dangerous on the break. However, the whole defensive line of Evie, Becca E, Becca A, Alice, Charlie, and Harriet all dealt with what was thrown at them and goalie Sammy didn’t have too much to trouble her.
Banbury were passing and moving well and earned themselves 6 short corners in the first 20
minutes of the second half, but it wasn’t until 60 minutes, and yet another short before the 2nd goal was scored – by Banbury! The short corner itself looked to have broken down, but MK didn’t clear it and up stepped Rosie on the right-hand side of the goal to slot it in. This second goal made everyone on the Banbury side breathe a huge sigh of relief, as we couldn’t see a way back for MK now, and I think this wasn’t lost on them either. On 63 mins, Libby Haden won a short with the deftest of touches onto the defender's foot. We didn’t score, but in the last 5 minutes of the game, Banbury were in control, and Libby, Charlotte, Maddie & Tash were all causing MK difficulties and with Rosie, Flora, Zoe, and Pip Jones controlling midfield, Mk rarely posed any threat.
This was a great team performance, and the ladies got their win at last. We made lots of chances
and had lots of possession; hopefully, we can turn this into more wins in the coming weeks. I think there is yet more to come from this ladies team.
MVP – Everyone played well, but Maddie McCarthy got the most team votes. Well done Maddie!
Bryce Wilkinson (Ladies 1s Manager 12/02/22)
