Timperley 1XI vs. Durham 2XI

Timperley 1s vs Durham

Score 2-0

After a few weeks of great score lines for Timperley ones, this day came with huge anticipation and excitement as we faced top of the league Durham at home!

It was a bright, sunny, cold day- perfect hockey weather, and the whole team were keen to keep up our great form from the last few weeks.

The usual ‘is it skins weather?’ conversations took place, & important decisions made, followed by a motivating team talk from Mike; we headed out for an early warm up, and not deterred by the oppositions 16 strong team.

After a good paced warm up we took our positions on the pitch, ready to put on the pressure early on. A great solid start by the home team and fantastic on the ball skills by all. Durham were ready to hunt in packs, but Timperley’s quick ball skills and slick passing, frustrated them. A couple of green cards shown to the opposition just made Timps work even harder.

Timps defence were on the mark from the beginning, holding out the opposition. Despite Durham gaining an early short corner, our defence were quick out to the ball, and remaining strong at the back. Kate’s super wiz balls meant that Durham could not keep it up their end; and great movement from the forwards and strength from the inners and midfield, kept the pressure on. The press from Timps was held well and forced Durham to keep making the passes. A few slips were had, particularly by the forwards (and a particularly dramatic one from Jay!) up near the ‘D’ in the usual shaded area, but this would not deter Timps from working hard & running like they’d never run beforeJ

A few chances and shorts had by Timps, put the pressure on and a goal was sure to come. As usual Timps stepped up to the mark when playing a team at the top of the league, and showed that grit and determination and the desire to win, is hard to fight against.

That determination led to Timps first goal; a great ball from Kate in defence, met Jay in the ‘D’ who showed off her scoring ability by fantastically swooping the ball high into the Net; which also proved to be a show stopper, as the whistle went, merely 30 seconds later for half time.

We were all on a high at half time being one up and ready for a drink to recharge the batteries. Leonnie our Captain was called over by the umpires who were concerned about the pitch being too slippery & asked both teams if they were happy to carry on. Both teams decided that they were; especially as we were one up, and for Durham coming all this way to play were also keep to keep the game going. So, after an encouraging team talk at half time, we were all keen to get out there again.

Durham came out fighting after half time and put the pressure on; Timps worked back hard and moved as a team up and down the pitch. A few chances were had by both teams, but Timps remained strong. A great run from Leonnie and strong ball into the ‘D’, led to Timps second goal of the game, where the ever present Lexi was ready to show off her skills and scoring ability by getting her stick on the ball and chipping the ball over the goalie into the Net. Celebrations were had all round, by players and fantastic supporters on the side line alike.

A Durham player then received a yellow card and so were one player down; Timps read the phase of the game well and held their own. Forshaw in goal & the defence remained solid and linked well to the mids and forwards alike. Timps had a couple more chances to score but the goal line remained the same, and Timps won 2-0 as the final whistle blew. Both Teams congratulated each other on a good game, where both teams played well. Timps congratulated each other on another great resultJ

Let’s keep it up! J

DOD: Jay, for slipping on the icy pitch dramaticallyJ

MOM: Kate, for her super dooper defensive skills and out letting.

TOM (Team of Match) (A new one I’ve made up!)- Timps! For playing fabulously!