Ladies 1s playing good hockey with no reward
BHC Ladies 1s - 1, Wycombe Ladies 1s - 4
Following on from two very close games, from which Banbury Ladies 1s have been unfortunate not to earn any points, it is getting to the point in the season where we need to start winning. The ladies certainly went to Wycombe today with optimism. Coach Hobs was unable to travel so, Bryce and Charlotte looked after things off and on the pitch respectively. Also, as Hobs was not on the touchline, my match report is a little short of detail today as I was unable to take notes (too busy!), but I will give a quick summary and overall view of things.
Both teams were on it from the off and each team tested the other’s defence within the first few
minutes. By 4 minutes, Wycombe had earned 2 short corners and Banbury 1, but neither team were successful. Wycombe were adopting a strange formation with no press and were allowing Banbury all the time in the world at the back, but I subsequently learned from their coach that this was a deliberate tactic as they were not good at a high press and it often left them exposed at the back. This meant that Banbury had to go through 11 players each and every time they went forward. It also meant that Wycombe could break from their half in numbers, which they did on 7 minutes, scoring their first goal from open play. Less than 3 minutes later, Wycombe again managed to work their way through the Banbury line and scored a second. The remainder of the half saw an exciting end-to-end game, with both teams playing well and creating chances, although, despite another 3 shorts to Wycombe and 2 to Banbury, no more goals were forthcoming in the first half.
The second half followed a similar pattern, although it was fair to say that Banbury overall had most of the ball and attacking chances. Within the first 5 minutes, Banbury had won 2 shorts and from the second, Becca Edwards hammered the ball home. Two - one. Wycombe were still happy to soak up the Banbury pressure and on 50 mins, they moved the ball upfield and scored a third goal from open play. Three – one. Banbury earned another 3 shorts (compliments of Rosie Gowing, who was a real handful all match and earned the team just about all of their short corners), but Banbury were unable to convert any of those three. After a period of good play from both teams, Wycombe found more space and broke fast, and Sammy, unfortunately, found herself alone against the marauding Wycombe attack. Despite a valiant effort, it was four – one Wycombe.
In the final 10 minutes, Banbury were the better team, had 3 more short corners, a good goal
disallowed, and a penalty flick saved, but no more goals for either team. The final score four – one to Wycombe didn’t really reflect the effort and play of the Banbury ladies.
Banbury have a couple of games coming up that are now becoming “must-win” games. We really
need to take our chances, in particular convert more of our short corners. Let’s hope that I can
report our first win of the second half of the season soon!
MVP – Everyone played really well today, but Rosie Gowing got the most team votes. Well done
Rosie!
Bryce Wilkinson
Photo: Alice Offord looking for the open space
Photo: Becca Edwards lining up the shot for her goal!
Photo: Tash Roberts injecting for a Banbury short corner
Photo: Evie Wilkinson storming up the pitch