Sirens 0 - 1 Old Kingstonian 2s (H)
By Tracey House
Team: GK Anne-Lise, Tracey, Victoria W, Claier J, Hayley, Chengai, Surge, Claire T, Cleo, Nao, Tessa, Victoria T, Sarah, Jo
It was an early, foggy and cold morning at Surbiton. We were looking forward to a home game with teas and cake afterwards. Our away game to OKs in November had been a tough match which we lost 7-0, but we were boosted by our previous four games of confident and positive play.
Wendy and James got us underway with the flute whistles and we were off. Anne-Lise was in goal and we were boosted by the addition of Chengai who was coming back from injury. Sarah was up front again, having scored on her debut last week.
Sirens started brightly (despite the gloomy weather) and it was a very even first half with attacks from both teams. The defence of Victoria W, Tracey, Claire J and Hayley and Chengai as an attacking central defender thwarted the OKs, keeping them out of the D and marked tightly so that no goals were scored. Anne-Lise's direction helped to cover all of the attackers.
Surge, Nao, Cleo and Claire T in the mid moved the ball well, creating many chances in the D - with 'oooo's and 'aaahs' from the spectators. The forwards (Jo, Tessa, Victoria T and Sarah) moved well into the D and the GK had to work hard but the first half finished 0-0.
Support from Suz, Kate, Laurent and Dave on the sidelines boosted the Sirens, and then the sun made its first appearance of the day. The second half brought more attacks from OKs, peppering the GK but with a solid defence they weren't able to score. Sirens then executed a short corner routine with Surge just missing on the post. More attacks from the OKs followed and they overloaded the defence and scored. Sirens tried to equalise with lots of long balls and good movement but the flute whistle came too soon.
A great team effort today.
The teas after were first class and then there were cakes from Tracey to celebrate the March birthdays in the team (Tracey, Cleo, Surge and Joanna). Although Wendy did describe the cinnamon buns as "soggy yorkshire puddings… But still nice" (and then she had some chocolate brownie!). Victoria T, along with her 'cake face', used her cinnamon bun for other actions! There was lots of beer, tea drinking and laughter.
WWW (Wally Wig of the Week): Tracey
POM: Cleo