Timperley 1s vs Brooklands Poynton 1s (4th November 2017)

One of NBA starts Kevin Durant stated once: ‘It’s hard to play well, but it’s easy to work hard’. That was exactly what Timperley Ladies achieved on Saturday playing against Brooklands a team who won the league last year and sit at the top of the League. This was a real test for the Timperley ladies, and was their opportunity to show they belong here and can compete in this league.

The game began with Brooklands push back but not for long as Timperley took the ball quickly into the game, earning a penalty corner on the 3rd minute. Kate Goalen slapped the ball strongly and took Brooklands by surprise with an early Timperley lead, Timperley 1 - Brooklands 0.

Despite a shocked Brooklands it didn’t last long as Brooklands paid back in the same way, winning the ball and earning a penalty corner, only to convert a very soft lifted ball into the goal, Timperley 1 - Brooklands 1.

The game was going strong, and proved to be a great game for spectators with Timperley keeping strong, keeping possession, they countered against Brooklands defence. A ball down the line to the forwards allowed Leonnie Molloy in, who took it into the D. The Brooklands goalkeeper came out quickly making the angle smaller and Leonnie fancied her chances going round the goalkeeper, and with a reverse hit, hit the ball into the side net. This allowed Timperley to believe they were in this game. A few minutes later Timperley lost possession and on 31st minute Brooklands broke, countering against the Timperley defence out numbering, found a gap and scored an easy team goal, Timperley 1 - Brooklands 2.

Shortly after the second goal Brooklands kept possession in Timperley half, awaiting the gaps, with some great transition play across the pitch, Brooklands got the ball into Timperley D, and with a very crowded D and some scrappy play, Brooklands hit the play across and deflected passed the goalkeeper legs, Timperley 1 Brooklands 3. Unfortunate for Timperley going into the second half 3-1 down after a promising performance.

After a fiery team talk for Timperley, they were ready for the second half, not giving up until the end. Brooklands continued to press, having fresh legs every few minutes up against a tiring Timperley team, who all gave it everything. Brooklands had a series of six short corners, they were running out of ideas and Timperley defence stayed strong, Brooklands didn’t score. The strength and determination of Timperley paid off in the 63rd minute with another counter against Brooklands, fast ball to the side and down the pitch, good runs from Catherine Thompson, passed to Alice Cribb, who in the D took a shot, but it looked like it was a pass towards Amanda Neurock, and the Brooklands goalkeeper misjudged as did the defence, goal. Alice Cribb two goals in two weeks, Timperley 2 - Brooklands 3.

At this point the game was close, Timperley were showing great team work, playing very tight not allowing Brooklands in much space, pressing the ball, getting their opportunities, however on 68th minute Brooklands attacked down the right, and a small mistake allowed them through, Brooklands player dribbled into the D, slipping as on she was on the floor played a pass, which hit a foot and deflected into the goal. Timperley felt hard done from this goal, another sloppy goal to concede but fortunately for Brooklands went in, Timperley 2 -Brooklands 4.

The game could have gone either way, Timperley battled and with a great performance came away without points, but with a lot to take into next week. “I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career, I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life, and that is why I Succeed” Michael Jordon

POM – Samantha Hargreaves (for an amazing performance)

DOD – Sarah Chancellor (for her 21st century fashion!)