SHC Snails WO45s 4 - 1 Hendon & Mill Hill Phoenix (A)

The Snails set off for north London fully prepared, and dressed for the wet and windy conditions played in yesterday, only to be greeted by glorious sunshine. Within minutes big coats and base layers were being discarded as Captain Sinead delivered her master plan with a plea for ‘kind’ passes and to make your team mates look good.

Surbiton set the tone from the off with attacking play and a high press that suffocated Phoenix attempts to build their own play. Midfielders Phil, Mandy, Sinead and Claire J, and forwards Anne, Dawn, Jo and Claire T driving forward to be awarded several early penalty corners. Phoenix were clearly rattled as there was a frantic early dispute as to the time taken to inject the ball, which was swiftly dismissed by the umpire. An early move off the blocks by some over enthusiastic forwards saw Val given her marching orders from the baseline.

All was soon put right with a sledgehammer blow from Val to give Snails an early lead. Phoenix however responded well and managed to slip a goal past Annie, but that was to be their only breach of the fortress of GK Annie and defenders Kirsten, Ruth and Emma. Half time beckoned and the teams came off the pitch drawing 1-1.

After an old school half time refreshment menu of oranges (left over from Saturday as Claire T forgot to take them) and a rousing half time talk from Sinead, the Snails began a storming second half with Jo deftly bypassing the Phoenix GK to deliver the first of her hat trick.

Comedy value was added by the two Claire’s coming on to sub after the goal but somehow running purposefully on to the wrong side of the pitch, cue Sinead frantically erupting into full body semaphore mode to get her errant players in their correct positions. Determined play from both sides continued and as tensions rose, the umpire hinted that cards were vey much in reach, but thankfully none appeared.

Snails kept up the pressure and once again a silky light touch finish from Jo gave Snails another goal and another a short while later. Some late drama as Phoenix rallied a late assault on the Snails goal but Annie and the defence were having none of it. In the closing stages, Kirsteen who had been exceptional all match was taken down by a flailing Phoenix forward and had to leave the pitch resulting in a shuffling of the mid and back lines into new positions, and Phil quickly redressing and returning to the pitch with hair blowing in the wind like a shampoo commercial. Thankfully after a quick check, it appears no long term damage done to Kirsteen but by then time had run out for Phoenix with the final score being 1-4 to Snails putting them second in the league table.

Player of the Match: Kirsteen for a superb all round performance.

Player highlights:

• Val - sledgehammer opening goal and vital midfield work
• Jo - hat trick of finesse
• Midfield - Phil, Val, Mandy and Claire J - relentless pressing & disruption
• Forwards - Jo, Dawn, Anne and Claire T - constant attacking threats and killer balls into the D.
• Defence - Sinead, Ruth B, Emma, Kirsteen - composed, reliable fortress.
• GK Annie - vocal organiser, directing play
• Claire T and Claire J - second half comedy substitution double act
• Captain Sinead - for excellent direction both on and off the pitch.

DOD goes to Claire J for the comedy but also for leaving her phone on the roof of her car for the entire game causing much team searching and deployment of ‘find my phone’ features from him indoors facilitated by Val.

The Snails march on. Next game versus top of the league Ashford. Captain Sinead has already given the team clear direction of intent. If you know, you know!