Timperley Ladies 1st v Wakefield 1st (23rd September 2017)

One of American’s novelists - Louis L'Amour – stated that there will come a time when you believe everything is finished. Yet that will be the beginning. That is what happened last season for Timperley Ladies 1st team, who finished in the bottom two and came down to a Play Off match which could have two totally different scenarios:

1. Lose the Play Off match which would cost a place in the Investec Conference North league.
2. Victory brings another opportunity to be a part of TOP 40 ladies hockey teams in England.

It was an epic 10 goal thriller with a happy ending which secured Timperley place in IWHL for 17/18 season!
The new season started with an away game at Wakefield on 23rd September 2017. It was a great atmosphere with plenty of positivity and a great team attitude. The team was in full concentration from the start with inspiration coming from the coach (Carol Savage) and were ready to play ‘one for all and all for one’ game.

Whistle. Aerial ball by Leonnie Molloy sent the ball across the side line and pressure began. A great press throughout saw Timperley control most of the game with each player putting in 100% effort, playing for their team mate. After several short corners and opportunities for Timperley and a solid performance from the Wakefield goalkeeper it still ended goalless for Timperley, and with Timperley great defensive play despite losing a player to a yellow card due to an unfortunate collision with the opposition, the first half resulted in no conversions and finished 0-0.

Second half and the opposition started with the ball, and Timperley started pressing well, putting the Wakefield goalkeeper under more pressure with more short corners, however Timperley still struggled to find the goal and after 15 minutes, a couple mistakes and lack of communication resulted in Timperley losing possession and Wakefield countered, squaring the ball across the goal for a Wakefield player to hit in back post making the score 1-0 Wakefield. Disappointment appeared in Timperley, who’s defensive solid performance throughout the game was undone. Despite conceding a goal, Timperley fought back, focusing on winning the ball and attacking, creating more wonderful counter attacks into Wakefield top D, winning more short corners, however still unable to convert. Despite Timperley’s great defensive performance for 90% of the game and ball possession for 80% of the game, the result ended as a shock and a disappointing Wakefield 1 - Timperley 0.

All in all, losing is essential to anyone’s success. The more You lose, the more You want to win. (Brett Hull – NHL player) and that is a main purpose for Timperley ladies this season. A lost just brought more experience which ladies will use in their first home game on 30th September against Sutton Coldfield Ladies 1's!