Game of two halves

It was always going to be a difficult game, but after three consecutive wins we went in to the game with a positive attitude.In the first half it took us a while to get accustomed to the conditions on the water-based pitch, and Bowdon took advantage of this. We had plenty of chances but couldn't put them away, and Bowdon took the pressure well, successfully defending at least 4 short corners. Unfortunately, Bowdon were more clinical, and from their 4 shots of the half, they scored 4 goals.

4-0 down at half time, we didn't give up. After a motivational team talk, we set up to take the game to Bowdon second half.

We showed real character and worked with and for each other for the full 35 minutes, pressing high, going for every loose ball and playing some great one-twos and long balls up the pitch. There was some great overlapping play down the wings and we really had Bowdon under pressure right from the first whistle.

After a lot of action in Bowdon's half, we eventually hit their backboard after the ball was fired into the D and one of their defenders deflected it past the keeper.

Back to the middle it was, and we continued to push on. We attacked in wave after wave, the ball rarely leaving the opponent's half, and shot after shot was saved or went wide.

Everyone worked hard and we looked like we wanted every ball, winning 50-50s and chasing every pass. Our communication increased and the whole game was transformed; we looked like the winning team!

The work rate and determination from the team was brilliant, and we soon got a well deserved second goal through Erin which we had to fight hard for, Mimi and Shelagh relentlessly shooting until Erin found a way past the keeper.

Special credit to Laura, who literally took one for the team - in the lip! After taking the hit bravely she went off to get patched up and we continued to fight, with only 10 players for a while whilst Angela helped attend to Laura!

We kept going and kept going but it wasn't our day, each shot passing agonisingly close to the post or blocked by a Bowdon stick.

Our heads stayed up right until the final whistle, signalling the end of an outstanding second half we can only be proud of! Hopefully we can take this spirit into the next game and bounce back to winning form at home next week!

Final Score: Bowdon 4-2 Timperley (OG, Erin 1)