Sirens Back in Action in the Sunshine

Sirens 1 - 2 London Academicals

With our first match of the season at home our squad of 15 were excited to be playing after a long summer, and particularly in weather more reminiscent of mid-summer than early Autumn. What the Academicals made up for in youth, we made up for with a GK, or at least that's what we hoped, particularly with new rules doing away with kicking backs.

After a slightly delayed start we were disappointed to go 2-0 down within the first six minutes despite some athletic goal keeping. However we kept our heads high and dug in. The Academicals played a very central game and we did not manage to take advantage of the width but we did make it to half time without conceding any further goals (HT 0-2)

With a strong team talk about structure, playing our own game, using the wings we were able to make much stronger play in the second half.  This was rewarded about 10 minutes in with a goal  from Philippa in midfield. The Academicals were not ones to accept their slender lead and continued to play a strong game. While they won more than five short corners, our defence, and particularly Silke, our GK were strong and diligent in defence not conceding any further goals.

The FT score of 1-2 was in clear recognition of our strong defence, while the post match review centred on setting up, using the wings and not playing to "their" game. Next match in two weeks at home to Clapham Common LS  with a lot of positives to take with us.