“A Team Called Rachel” by Nicky Desmond

Ladies 2 (East) v. Pelicans 1

Result: Draw, 3-3

With Caz unable to captain the team today, the responsibility fell to me, Nicky. What mischief could I get up to while the cat was away? Plenty! I wasn’t sure how the game was going to go, especially when Liv and I arrived at the Lindum, even though we were playing at the University…ummm. Still, we got there in the end. The pre-match team-talk and motivational speech went down quite well, though I can’t repeat what was said. Needless to say Rachel Li Wan Po and Bells were the butt of things – feel free to ask them (however I will deny everything!). And a chorus (all be it a cat’s chorus) of ‘Show me the Money’ could be heard ringing through the changing rooms.

Having lost all but one of our games this season, and indeed losing 8-1 to Pelicans on our visit to their water-polo field, it was merely a case of let’s go out there and enjoy ourselves. I asked for ‘smiley hockey’ and I was not disappointed. The biggest smile was when Gemma tried a rather cheeky hook over her shoulder, only to see the ball go wide. We played fast and high, but went a goal down to a rather unfortunate Pelican foot on the top of the D which was missed by the umpires, play was allowed to continue, and instead of playing to the whistle we allowed Pelicans a shot on goal which they converted. By half time it was 0-2 and Danni was side-lined with a suspected broken wrist.

We may have been two nil down but we certainly weren’t losing! We had by far most of the possession and we were looking like scoring every time we went forward. However, my famous last words were something like: ‘We probably won’t score 3 but let’s go out and see what we can make of this pressure.’ (Actually I said nothing of the sort, Sharon!)

The second half started with just as much energy and a little shuffle round in the middle of the pitch. And it wasn’t long before it paid off. Rach H found herself unmarked in front of goal and was the first to react to the rebound with a tap-in. Followed soon after by Doc Rach laying prostrate in the D after pulling us back to 2-2 with a stonker of a goal. Falling over while scoring seems to be her thing.

We decided to park the bus and shut the doors on the feathers of the opposition. Yet alas, there appeared a chink in our armour, and with 5 minutes left Pelicans scored a third against the run of play. Hey ho, another loss was on the cards. But no, oh no, not today Sir, no thank you! One final push heaved us all over into the opposition half (and I take some heaving). We were awarded a short corner which was thankfully put in by Rach B. Never have you seen so much joy. Apparently it pays to be called Rachel in this team.

Caz, they did you proud. 100% from all the ladies and a point well-earned. Same again next week, although my comedy repertoire is exhausted so you might have to do the team-talk.

Ladies 4th Team

v. Goole 1, by Mel Sharpe

Result: Lost 4-0

The ladies 4’s arrived at Lincoln University pitch (…after battling the gate guard, our first victory!) ready and raring to go for our second game against Goole, after a loss to them earlier in the season. A good long warm up filled with music and morale set us up for the match and we were feeling happy with the 4-4-2 formation.

The first half started well with some good attacks straight away and some great play across the middle by Jo and Judy getting through to Cathy and Caroline on the right on a couple of occasions. Unfortunately due to a few strong and speedy players in their midfield we went 1-0 down in the middle of the first half. Some great defending by Jacqui, Trish, Paula and Mandy helped us fight back against the couple of short corners they had. However they kept persevering and we went 2-0 down just before half time.

After a good chat in the goal at half time, we started the second half much stronger. Some great strong passes between Alex and Mel going through to Cathy made for some promising chances, but alas it wasn’t to be! We were much calmer in the second half and seemed to settle into the game and find the space a lot more. However, despite some great saves under pressure by Charlotte, they made the most of some long corners and side lines and scored another 2 goals in the second half.

The work-rate, communication and positioning from Lindum at times throughout the match meant we walked off the pitch at full time with our chins up and smiles still on. A good game, with a better result than earlier in the season.

Final result:
Lindum – 0
Goole – 4

MoM: Mel Sharpe
DoD: Mel Sharpe