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Timperley Ladies 1Xi vs Brooklands Poynton 1Xi Match Report

Timperley Ladies 1Xi vs Brooklands Poynton 1Xi Match Report

Sophie Robinson24 Oct 2016 - 18:56
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Derby day! Having met Brooklands in the last few Cheshire Cup finals it was the first league derby for a long time!

Derby day! Having met Brooklands in the last few Cheshire Cup finals it was the first league derby for a long time! However, before our attention could turn to matters on the pitch there was the small matter of erecting the dugout. How many players/coaches does it take to put up a foldaway dugout? Answers on a postcard!

Our neighbours arrived boasting greater experience and nous in the National League and it did not take them long to exert their authority. The Timperley outfit looked out of sorts and almost dazed. The Timperley side was working hard, but Brooklands to their credit always had the upper hand in the first half.

Their dominance in the pitch was soon mirrored on the scoreboard. If their first goal was well worked from a position high up the pitch. Their second in contrast was more a case of the blue outfit sitting back. The D was packed with players, a real melee and in the confusion and somehow through the bodies, the ball was squeezed over the line!

Their pace and movement off the ball left Timperley players in their wake! 2-0 soon became 3 and then shortly followed by 4! (Regrettably, I cannot recall the other goals!)

Without doing Brooklands a disservice I think it would be fair to say that although they dominated the first half, their dominance was more a result of Timperley's naivety. The home outfit at fault for sitting back and letting the, have the run of the pitch! In contrast to the Beeston game, Timperley were allowing the opposition to play, rather than just being "outplayed". Subtle differences but there nonetheless.

The half-time team talk was relatively muted. The frustration visible, but the determination to right the wrongs of the first half equally present.

The home side began the second half much brighter. There was a willingness to get tighter to the Brooklands players and not let them have a free run. As the half wore on the home side, spurred on by their loyal supporters that packed the sideline in the late autumnal sunshine, began to exert themselves. Timperley began to play their hockey in the right areas and started to create their own chances.

Alas, it wasn't to be...although Timperley had made a spirited effort in the second half, they failed to capitalise on their chances, and conceded a fifth. The message at half-time was to ensure they came off the pitch having given a better account of themselves. To some extent they had done this. But inevitably at this level giving an opposition outfit, that is vastly experienced at this level, the head start they got in the first half, it was too great a mountain to climb.

So, what can the side take from this latest defeat...The honeymoon period is definitely over! Having conceded an inordinate amount of goals over the last three games it's fair to say the side is "hurting". No-one enjoys losing, or losing in the manner they have over the last few games. The intensity at midweek training has picked up and this is something that needs to be taken into games.

As a side, and as a club it is clear how much it means to those involved, (both directly and indirectly) what playing in this league means. The Timperley outfit have played three sides who are established National League outfits...and it's fair to say the Blues have spent a lot of time in the "hockey classroom" over the last few weeks. But now is the time for those

players to go out and play for the shirt, to try exert themselves in this league and not be overshadowed. They are here by merit, and when the chips are down it's that inner steel and determination that needs to be drawn upon. Time to see what colour blood runs in their veins...

MOM: Kim

DOD: Sophie

Next weekend sees the side trek down to the midlands to face Loughborough University, followed by the EH Cup with local rivals Bowdon Hightown.

Please continue to support the ladies in their games. It means a huge amount to have the support on the sideline and I am certain that they will be able to reward that loyalty and support soon enough!

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