Timperley vs Ben Rhydding

Timperley Ladies 1st XI vs Ben Rhydding Ladies 1st XI

The date had been etched into the diaries from the moment the fixtures were published...24th September 2016 Timperley's first National League home game! In the intervening months there was a massive "family" effort to get the Club looking it's resplendent best! Blue is the word...blue doors, corridors, corner flags, goals and traffic cones! (In another life these blue traffic cones represent overhead structures to warn tall vehicles of the impending danger!)

On to the hockey! There was a palpable apprehension amongst the squad as we assembled for the game. A decent opening weekend, our first home game, and a massive sense of wanting to do ourselves, and our Club, proud. The message was simple, play to an intensity that we set, value possession and out work the opposition. Simple!

As the sideline began to fill up, a somewhat controversial switch to the left side of the pitch for our warm-up game didn't unnerve us! The first half began with both sides "exchanging pleasantries". Ben Rhydding were intent to play the ball round and the home side had to be on their mettle to avoid conceding. Rach Small on her birthday, (now a vet??!!) providing some excellent clearances spurred the home side on! Some diligent work from the midfield and forwards handed Léonnie Molloy her first shot at goal...the ball was hit sweetly but soared over the crossbar. Encouraging signs nonetheless!

Substitutions allowed the home side to keep the intensity up. The first of a few lengthy stoppages with an injury to Ben Rhydding allowed us to regroup and encouraged by our opening play grow in confidence. As the first half wound up towards the business end, the home side could sense there was something in this game, the feeling was spreading amongst the team, we were definitely here to compete! Cue Kate Goalen, a stalwart at the back, releasing one of her trademark thunderbolt passes to Nikki Walsh, who had crept up the left sideline without being picked up! Walshy waltzing down the line is a sight to behold, one that most thought we'd seen for the last time...but she rolled back the years today! Beat the defender with consummate ease! Molloy seeing Walshy on the ball, faith in her to beat the player got on her skates and headed for the D...a slight miss hit from Walshy saw the ball arrive at Molloy's stick, who having passed it to the keeper, then got it back...twice! Found the keeper on the floor, and two players on the goal-line! However, the soothsayer Caroline Small had predicted a goal for Molloy...nothing was going to stop her! The ball sailed through the on rushing defence! 1-0 Timperley! First National League goal at home!

The half-time team talk was calm and composed. The message again simple, play with the same intensity, keep pressing and get numbers behind the ball! Play was stopped for another injury and gave both sides a chance for a breather. But the home side was sensing there was more on offer. Some great defence and harassing down the right hand side, Laura Fullerton-Batten and Alex Pepper sharing the work.

Timperley had to endure another passage of play where they spent fair chunks of time without the ball. But if there's one thing this outfit has begun to get used to it is putting in the leg work and doing the "dirty work". Each member of the 16-man strong team was running and working hard, pressing, chasing, tackling! The defence stood firm, led by Kelly Burdett they thwarted several attacks and short corners from the opposition.

In games like this, it comes down to those who are willing to graft and those who take the chance when presented! Short corner time! The call had come on, we knew which routine

to run...composure, focus, execute. A slick injection from Becky Schofield, trapped at the top by Molloy, Goalen slid the ball towards the P spot...and Jessica Mortimer, timed her run and her outstretched stick to perfection. The ball deflected and nestled in the blue netting! 2-0!

As the game wore on, the fatigue from the intensity and also the occasion starting to set in. The formation became a little scatty and play became frenetic. The cries for us to calm down rallied round from Timperley stalwarts Small and Pantelli and also from our loyal supporters! The home side conceded more short corners but again Ben Rhydding shots were rebuffed. A sense of destiny started to grow... The away team became increasingly rattled, passes going astray, their squad reduced due to the injury count growing (we do wish each injured member of the opposition a speedy recovery).

Time ticked on, recognising this, and trying to control the pace of the game...we somehow conceded a flick! As we huddled by the touch line urging each other to run down the clock, Ben Rhydding got themselves on the score sheet.

With barely a minute left on the clock, Walshy stood over the centre pass and laid it off to Molloy who sent it to the left corner of the pitch. Timperley were trying to hold the press slightly deeper and force the opposition to work it out. A free hit...to the home side awarded on halfway, there can only be a matter of seconds left...Molloy took the matter into her own hands and sent the ball off down the right towards the corner flag! Cue the final whistle!

Timperley's first National League home game and a solid 3 points in the bag!

MOM: Cath Thompson-Smith: tireless running, battling and Duracell bunny-like endurance!

DOD: Michelle Collier: inappropriate enquiries as to a team mates welfare. Somethings should just stay at home folks!

The victory is testament to the hard work this squad has put in over the summer. It's difficult to beat a side that works hard, and has everyone pulling together! Four points from our first two games, is a dream start. The victory has to be dedicated to the team of Timperley "DIYers" selflessness and sacrifices to ensure the Club was ready for the occasion. We hope the performance on the pitch made it all worthwhile!

Thanks as ever to those that work tirelessly behind the scenes, and to the hoards of supporters who came to share in the occasion. Running hard when spurred on by such loyal and vocal support is that bit easier! There is definitely more to come from this side this season and lots to learn from today's game. We'll be back same time next Saturday vs Wakefield followed by a Cheshire Cup game on the Sunday!