Timperley 1s vs Durham University 1s (14th October 2017)

A game of two halves - Unfortunate result for Timperley who are yet to score any points .

The fourth game of the season and it was a win Timperley ladies wanted due to performances over the last few weeks which had yet to see Timperley ladies with any points. Another challenge but a chance for Timperley to prove their worth. American athlete Summer Sanders highlighted “To be a champion, I think you have to see the big picture. It’s not about winning and losing; it’s about every day hard work and about thriving on a challenge. It’s about embracing the pain that you’ll experience at the end of a race and not being afraid. I think people think too hard and get afraid of a certain challenge”.

Challenge accepted with a game away to a strong Durham side. Timperley ladies had new players coming in to (Siobhan Driscoll and Maya Kroll) make their debut in the Investec National Conference league, nevertheless two young players fulfilled squad. New faces, new kit, new colours, new pitch and lots of positive emotions in the changing rooms and Timperley ladies were off to a promising start.

Durham started the game with push back, and during the first half dominated the game with ball possession. Durham pressed high putting the Timperley defence under immense pressure, winning several short corners. Durham scored fairly early making the game Durham 1 Timperley 0. Timperley were chasing the game and players were showing their nerves, with Leonnie Molloy receiving a green card. Timperley ladies didn’t look like they were going to score, with Durham creating nice plays across the pitch and eventually led to second goal Durham 2 Timperley 0. Towards the end of the half it looked like Timperley had given up showing frustration towards the umpire saw Giedre Kvilonaite sent off with a green card for the remainder of the half.

Second half and after a change in formation Timperley hadn’t given up the three points just yet. Timperley ladies push back and an impressive start attacking the ball with a run down the left (Cath Thompson) and some great movement from the forwards, the ball came to Amanda Shorrock who showed great strength and took the ball past one defender and strike the ball only to score on 37 minutes and make it Durham 2 - Timperley 1. The game was very much open for either team to take, however a different approach from Timperley meant Durham felt a lot of pressure in the second half. Timperley ladies continued to press the ball through the second half, winning several short corners but again struggling to convert. Timperley defence were solid, with barely any attacks from Durham. This was the Timperley team we have been waiting for, holding the middle, staying as a unit and pressing the ball to attack, however it was a little too late for Timperley and unfortunately ran out of time to score.

The game ended Durham 2 Timperley 1, a definite game of two halves. Despite the loss Timperley ladies were happy with their second half performance feeling really positive for the next game on Sunday against Liverpool Sefton at home.

POM: Alice Cribb, Samantha Hargreaves, Catherine Thompson

DOD: Giedre Kvilonaite