SHC Sages 3 – 2 Teddington Flamingos

Despite swollen fingers, grazed knees, bruised ankle, blackened toe and generally battered body, the team saw fit to nominate me to do the match report for which I am truly grateful.

Thanks to Captain Sinead’s wheeler dealing, creative mathematics and to-the-month age checks, the Sages fielded a full team and leant the Flamingos two players per half. A warm Sages welcome to new signings Jane, Jenny, Izzy, Anna and Taryn.

Val and Sinead played exceptionally well during their stint for the Flamingos, contributing to the necessity for some great defensive play from Kirsteen, Ellie and, the fully named, Emma Dempsey. Silke unleashed her inner Hinch and made some excellent saves. Sadly, at one point Val was afforded a little too much space and slotted home a goal for the ‘opposition’. A second Teddington goal followed.

Taryn looked at home in her newly acquired Centre Mid position, providing plenty of ball to the fine partnership of Jane and Izzy on the right. Philippa was kept busy on the left but always managed to get free to receive the ball from the defence. Anna and Jenny battled hard up front with some superb positioning and persistence on the ball. A solid performance from the Teddington goalkeeper kept them out for a time but Anna finally broke through, sending us in at halftime trailing by one goal.

With some swift halftime transfers, it was Izzy and Emma Dempsey’s turn to lend their services to Teddington whilst Val and Sinead rejoined the Sages. Next time we must remember to send them away before the tactical team talk!

The second half got underway and was liberally scattered with some calamitous errors on my part granting me with the aforementioned injuries and a case of concussion by knee for one of the Flamingos. Well, who expected anyone to defend that low in an O45s game???

Surbiton Sages kept strong in attack. A Teddington error afforded us a penalty flick which was very coolly slotted home by the returning ultra calm Val. Continued pressure led to many penalty corners. After complaining (repeatedly) that certain defenders were stepping up and becoming glory hunters, Sinead found herself up front as another corner was awarded. She held firm at the top of the D and, lo and behold, scored the winning goal!! How her goal celebration escaped DOD is beyond me!

Thanks to Sarah Bray and Charlotte for their vocal support (and ridiculing) and to both the umpires and to Teddington Flamingos for a lovely afternoon game in the sunshine. 

Well done to Silke for Dame of the Game after an excellent demonstration of goalkeeping.