Sloths 5 - 6 Old Cranleighan O35s (A)
Over 35s Cup
By Fee Fitch
Goals we wanted, goals we got, aplenty; sadly though, we were on the wrong side of a 6-5 thriller at SHS on Sunday afternoon against local rivals OCs.
The Sloths duly arrived at the pitch relatively on time, despite Lisa’s indecisiveness, late, not late, on time, and Fee popping off to grab her weekly shop first ( I think I missed the team talk in the changing rooms, sorry).
Captain Charlotte, aka Biffer, was very nervous for reasons none of us quite knew why, but she should be nervous more often as she had a fantastic game, scoring four of our five goals and being key in all areas of the pitch. After OCs scored an early goal from a PC, (Biffer foul!) we settled into playing some excellent team hockey. We really did not look like a team made up of players fanning five teams. Within minutes we were awarded our first PC and Charlotte beautifully struck the ball to smash the backboard. Game on!
For the next 20 minutes it was end to end, PCs were awarded, goals were scored – Surbiton’s much better than OCs’ with Charlotte scoring another perfectly struck straight strike again. Half time score I think was 2-3 – to be honest it was all a bit hazy, hence I’m writing the report.
A simple but effective half time talk by Captain Biffer, along with well needed Haribo gave us the energy to get out and smash the second half. There was great link up play between the defenders and mids, beautiful transferring of the ball, aerials splitting the OCs midfields, superb tackling and of course, some dodgy trapping and mis-passes but, as always, we worked hard to get the ball back and re-build the attack resulting in more PCs, duly converted by Charlotte taking her tally to four and Sian scoring a brilliant deflection.
Just when we thought it was going to penalty flicks to decide the winning team, somehow OCs scrabbled the ball over the line to take the score to 6-5. With less than two minutes left, the Sloths applied pressure from every angle but it was not to be.
The team were a little deflated, it was a great game and we were so close to taking the Sloths to the second round of the Cup but it was not to be this year. Hopefully there is a plate competition for us to smash! The result was soon forgotten over a roast and a pint at the George and Dragon in Thames Ditton, enjoyed by most of the team. For me it was a family trip to Pizza Express.
Well done to the whole squad for giving their all. A huge thanks to Val for umpiring (and Jess T for OCs). An even bigger thank you to the amazing supporters who stood in the rain, hooters and all, giving us phenomenal support: Wendy, Anne, Annie, Carole, Spuggy, Ruth.