Random Rainclouds & Our Last Away Match

We had a team of 15 for what should have been the last game of the season. (It wasn't, because we had to cancel last week and were playing that next week.)

We met at Halifax’s ground ready for the game, it was before the match even started that Linda earned herself DOD. Having wrongly chosen a shower cubical in the search for the loo, she inadvertently got herself a pre-match wash! Equally daft was Tina who believed Linda when she said she'd been the victim of a very targeted rain cloud.

We started the game strongly. Halifax had some strong midfielders and were difficult to move the ball around, but once we started passing and moving and set the press well we started to get the upper hand in the game. We were getting some attacks, but struggling to make the most of space upfront. We got a couple of short corners that we failed to convert but it wasn't until Linda saw Newby making a run down the left wing that we found the gap we needed. A pass in to the D and a great cross from Kim was all Gail needed to score the first GOAL of the match. 1-0 to Batley.

This was the encouragement we needed to spur us on. Halifax were quick on the break, but pretty reliant on big hits through to the forward line. I like to think this was because our marking was so good. There was one particularly squeaky bum moment when a Halfiax attack left Helen off her line and Linda clearing from the goal line. Great work between these two kept the sheet clean though. The defence were playing a particularly good switching and moving game working the ball round and out to the midfield as there wasn't much to work with in the hit outs.

The second goal came from a great run between the forwards. Another great cross in to the D allowed Gail another GOAL. 2-0 to Batley.

At half time we were happy with our performance, but we knew Halifax were going to come out fighting, they're above us in the league, so wouldn't have wanted to lose this.

The second half started off a bit scrappy, it took us a while to get our act together and there were some scary moments in this time. Once we started to sort out the marking again we got a bit more of a handle on things, but Halifax really meant business this half.

We got a couple more short corners, but struggled to convert again. One set piece went out to Fretters and back to Kim who would have scored a great goal but unfortunately fell over her own feet instead! (Sorry Kim!)

Halifax did get themselves a goal in the second half. A clean, fast hit from the top of the D. It was a great goal. Not much any of us could do.

In the last 10 minutes we had some drama as Linda got a green card for arguing about having used her back stick to clear the ball out the D. Leaving us a man down and facing a short corner. Linda still insists that she didn't use her back stick, much to our amusement on the night out.

The game ended 2-1 to Batley. MOM was shared between Kim and Gail. Gail was apps celebrating overtaking Jodi as top goal scorer.

The game was followed by our end of season do. Fantastically organised by Helen, we had a great night, loads of laughs and lots of things that shall stay on the night out.

Next week is our actual last match of the season as we play Braford at home.

#matchreport #hockey #batley #batleyladieshc #shower #greencard #win