Women’s 2s 3 - 0 Bristol Firebrands (H)
By Lilie Lamacraft & Sarah Johnston
Surbiton bounced back in style with a 3-0 victory over the Bristol Firebrands, putting behind them a disappointing loss to Exeter two weeks ago. Despite disjointed availability for training during that period, the team displayed remarkable cohesion and determination, leading to a well-deserved win.
The match kicked off with a flurry of activity, and Surbiton quickly found their rhythm. Sophie Osbourne opened the scoring in the first quarter with a brilliant goal, expertly placed to catch the goalkeeper off guard. Shortly after, Cecily Moorhead doubled the lead with another fantastic finish.
Sarah Johnston was a standout performer throughout the match, anchoring the midfield with strength and poise. Her ability to control the tempo and distribute the ball earned her the POM award, as she consistently drove the team forward.
The third quarter saw Noa Armelin add to the tally with a well-executed drag flick after three re-awards. The team’s defensive efforts were bolstered by Jemma Woods, who was outstanding in goal, managing to keep a clean sheet and making several crucial saves to deny the Firebrands any chance of getting back into the game.
Off the pitch, the match was not without its moments of humor. Lilie found herself on the receiving end of the DOD title after an unfortunate nutmeg, while Sarah also earned a mention for a comical fall while trying to exit the changing room, narrowly avoiding disaster with the television and whiteboard – they were joint DOD’s.
Adding to the drama, coach Roro received a telling-off from the officials an incident that some argued should have been worth a DOD nomination, had it not been for Kuda, our manager, who kept him calm from the sidelines. Meanwhile, the ever-watchful Will Fulker provided his coaching tips from afar.
With this victory, Surbiton not only regained their confidence but also set their sights on the next challenge—an away match against Southgate next week. With their spirits high and lessons learned from recent games, the team is ready to tackle the next chapter of their season.