Timperley Ladies 1s vs Loughborough University 1s (28th October 2017)

First away victory for Timperley [/b[b]] - Not all about possession

Going away to Loughborough is never an easy fixture and with Timperley Ladies still waiting for their first away victory since competing in the National League last season - it was always going to be a tough challenge, nevertheless Timperley with their great positivity coming off a great result the previous week were confident this was a game to take points, despite Loughborough University being known for producing international players.

Timperley head out of the changing rooms ahead of Loughborough and get started with their warm-up. Despite being in Loughborough there were plenty of Timperley supporters in the crowd, which only helped spur the Timperley squad on. After a quick pre-match talk it was time for Timperley to show the league they can perform at both home and away games.

Loughborough’s push back and with good structure throughout the pitch, playing the simple passes, waiting patiently for the gaps to appear and on the 7th minute managed to get the ball into the attacking D, with the Loughborough forwards winning a penalty corner. The ball was injected out, player hit the ball from top D towards the left post for a Loughborough player to deflect passed the goal keeper into the goal. Loughborough 1 – Timperley 0.

Despite Timperley conceding early they were determined to not give up, and not let Loughborough through. Loughborough continued to transfer the ball across the pitch, attacking down the left and right. The work rate of the Timperley girls getting across allowed them to keep defending and keep Loughborough out, however it was becoming harder and harder. Timperley spent the majority of the half defending however still managed to get up the pitch after a counter and won their first penalty corner of the game. Unfortunately Timperley didn’t take their opportunity, however started to put the pressure on Loughborough. On the 24th minute Loughborough attacked, however Timperley’s great defending won the ball, and transferred it down the line to Amanda Neurock, who with a bouncy pass put it across the D, and with an amazing touch from Alice Cribb put the ball in the goal making it Loughborough 1 – Timperley 1. With less than 10 minutes of the first half to go, it was important for Timperley to not concede before the half was out, and they did exactly that.

The belief of our first away points were in sight for Timperley and it was clear it was going to be a tough battle to stay tight as a unit not allowing Loughborough through. Second half started and it was clear Timperley were not going to allow the Loughborough players the ball easy, winning 50/50 balls, making tackles, forcing Loughborough to pass backwards. Loughborough were still dominating possession into the second half, however Timperley’s ambition to win the ball paid off and created several counters, with great strikes from both Michelle Collier and Amanda Neurock just narrowing past the post. Loughborough still dominated possession but were struggling to find gaps to attack and Timperley continued to press and despite tiring still didn’t give up.

It became apparent a draw from this game would have been a great result, and staying tight as one unit, Timperley managed to keep Loughborough out in the second half, and with the game in the final minute, Timperley won the ball after great defending from Victoria Lomas, who picked the ball up and ran several metres, who then made a pass into the space towards the right side of the attacking D, however with no lead run that side it was very difficult to see any Timperley player reaching it, however with great determination from Amanda Neurock she picked up the ball, to slip into the D, with great support play from Victoria Lomas who followed her pass and made a sprint run from one end to the other and scored Timperley’s second goal on 69th minute making the game Loughborough 1 – Timperley 2.

Final whistle and it was fair to say the Loughborough team were upset with the result, after dominating possession for 70 minutes, however this game wasn’t about possession but strength, determination, passion, belief, and teamwork, which won Timperley 3 points.

DOD – Caroline Small
MOM – Caroline Small and Victoria Lomas

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Next week Timperley host Brooklands HC, a local rival who have a good start to the season. This proves to be a great game, with results last season that could of gone either way.