Ladies 2nd XI Vs Kingsbridge & Salcombe

How frustrating can this beautiful game be?  Last week the match and performance of the past two seasons and this week brought back down to earth by a 65th minute winner from the visitors.  Whilst the loss is in no way the ‘disgrace’ or ‘embarrassment’ that befell the likes of Chelsea and Man City (amongst others) on the same day, it was certainly disappointing considering the positive aspects of the first half…

Exe II began well with Hamstring Helena, Glitterqueen Fi and Army Mel dictating midfield and the attack and helping to push the team forward.  The ‘pass and move’ hockey was excellent with ‘triangles’ and ‘switching across the back’ at the forefront of Exe’s progress.  Then Kingsbridge  & Salcombe (K&S) were warned for not retreating 5m.  Karen and Sian were able to play the ball from side to side allowing Anna and Becky M to exploit the width and then release the midfield of Em and Bridge and the forwards.  Then K&S were warned again for not retreating 5m. It was unfortunate that the visitors took the lead when a break down our right allowed their forward to slot the ball past the advancing Becky R.  This didn’t deter us and from the outset we were back on the offensive.  Then K&S were warned again for not retreating 5m.

Heather and Helena kept on running about up front as we switched play left and right.  Then K&S were yet again warned for not retreating 5m… this time it lead to a penalty corner – hurrah.  Without being too unkind it is fair to say Karen has had better shots on goal, however all they have to be is on target (and a little bobbly)… and so the scores were levelled.

K&S were good at breaking down play and were eventually further penalised for continually not retreating when a player was given a yellow card.  Exe should have made more of the advantage, however a certain someone decided that they wanted an official Birthday and hence deserved their own card, this time for allegedly leaving their stick in (I’m not sure how exactly you get your stick out the way after stretching, reaching the ball with it and then the player runs into it; oh well)… and so the numbers were evened up.

The proverbial ‘game of two halves’?  Well the second half started well enough; Exe continuing to pass the ball nicely with Rosie, Charlotte and Fi H all getting in on the act.  But K&S had learnt what 5m were (just) and they now pressed higher up the pitch.  Sian had to leave with 25mins to go and soon afterwards Fi M limped off.  In the last 15mins we lost our shape slightly, however there was still little pressure on Becky in the goal.  Then, with only 5mins left, K&S struck down the left and found the decisive finish.  It was tough on Exe who had deserved something from the match.  Yet again there were plenty of positives... exemplified by the spread of votes for player of the match… Fi M, Sian, Rosie and Mel, 2 each for Helena and Becky and then, for the quality goal and also her all around tackling and distribution, 5 for Karen.

Oh well, at least it’s another early and hopefully frost start next week coz we like them lots apparently!!And that’s how BCs it.