Sloths 4 - 1 Guildford O35s (H)
EH Women’s O35s Tier 2 Championships

Having made Round 3, otherwise know as the last 16, we were incredibly fortunate to be able to play on a Thursday night at the club (thank you to everyone who made that happen). This allowed us to put forward a top team and whilst there were certainly nerves there was also belief.

From the first whistle our intent was there, possibly not quite matched by control and execution of all of the skills needed to truly play the kind of hockey we have been capable of recently. Having said that, having a majority of the possession saw the Sloths constantly pushing forward and pressuring the Guildford defence. There was an inevitability that we were awarded our first short corner within a minute of Charlotte subbing off in the first rotation. Whilst Charlotte sulked on the bench, Courtney stepped up to force the keeper into a save. Having made the first save the ball was fired back into the danger area only for Sian to deflect the ball into the roof of the net. The GK was videoing the game from behind the goal, I can only surmise it is evidence for her A Level (?), but watching that back she will know that it was an absolute rocket and she had very little chance of getting anywhere near it.

We did not have long to dwell on that goal as whilst getting slightly over-confident and pushing high up the pitch we got caught on the break and although Marlijn made an excellent first save the follow up from Guildford was swift and put us at 1-1 going into half time. We knew that we could play better, pass with more pace, pick up the through balls and force their keeper into more saves.

The introduction of our trump card settled any lingering nerves we may have had and Leah’s control of the midfield, impressive given she was full back(!), raised the confidence levels of those around her, leading to some silky movement both on and off the ball. Emily was terrorising Guildford down the left and one of many balls played into the circle was latched on to by Helen to slot passed the keeper, advantage Sloths.

Now that we’d nailed the left we switched play to the right, I passed a ball to the tireless Jo on the baseline which she sent across the goal to be put in by Charlotte from close range. With time running down Sian won a flick only to push it slightly wide (much to the surprise of the supporters on the sideline who saw the bulge of a net and started cheering).

Following that we won one final short corner on the stroke of the final whistle. The call of play it right was entirely ignored by Charlotte (shock) only for the defender to get a foot to it (to stop it going wide) and Sian pounced to put it in at the near post.

Final score 4-1 and into the Quarters - to be played the day after Ruth’s 50th and with some scary destinations a possibility - Newcastle away anyone? Jo and Emily won POM whilst I ran away with DOD.

Highlights of the match: The usually eloquent and chatty Sinead mainly just saying ‘sorry’ or nothing at all in the hope that she wouldn’t once again talk her way into DOD. Some mega silky passing through the midfield to the forwards, give and go, ace. Beers in the bar afterwards, real team spirit shining through. Laura once again managing the game beautifully, especially as Charlotte had to send her to our house to pick up the instructions before the match - how did I get DOD!

Lowlights of the match: Me taking out two of their players, only to confess that I felt rushed to get rid of the ball so that I could tie my shoelace - ah that might have done it. Sian missing a rare flick - luckily barely anyone mentioned that after the game. Ruth spilling her beer all over the subs bench before the game even started. Oh and the rain.