For those who haven’t read one of my match reports before - make a cuppa tea (have a glass of Prosecco) switch off the tele and be fully immersed in what you’re about to read because it’s a doosie! The actual sequence of events may have been changed to protect my memory….. (it’s been a day!)
Today the Reigate Raiders took the graveyard shift in sunny Redhill (why Reigate play in Redhill I don’t know - seems like a diversion tactic to me! ).
With 11 outfield players we decided to go out strong, hit them where it hurts, utilise the overload and push push push.
They started with first push back and immediately troubled our defence. What they weren’t counting on however was the brick wall that awaited them.
Angie and George held that centre, intercepting, diving, driving and diving again - don’t think the oppo had ever seen the like (? Angie ‘the punisher’ Cottee and George ‘nails’ Jackson).
They attempted to switch to the sides where they encountered the Grrrrrzelles (like gazelles but with more grrr than a Mumma bear who’s run out of honey / Prosecco (it’s a known fact - look it up!) EJ and Nutty.
Wave after wave came at us and were rebuffed. Eventually they managed to sneak one past us (well me) and we were a disappointed 1-0 down.
Undeterred - and never beaten we fired straight back up to take the fight to them. Mia ‘the lioness ‘ created all sorts of carnage with strong drives, fast accurate passes and awesome strong hits. Sue ‘the courageous’ and Anna ‘the Jackal’ held that centre for us, harrying the oppo and distributing wide and fast.
Emily ‘the swan’ danced up the left supporting everyone around her and making some incredible well timed intercepts.
The forwards of Scally ‘the Eagle’ and Tarren ‘the smiling assassin’ ran, span, and infuriated the oppo, getting in behind them and pulling them apart.
Super sub Amilie ‘ the Samurai’ worked her absolute socks off in every position she was asked to play. Don’t be fooled by that happy exterior people - annihilation lives here!
And so we continued, up and back, up and back, denying the oppo and creating opportunities for ourselves.
Into halftime.
A good hard talking to from yours truly, Angie and George and we were ready to take back control. We needed to play our game. Focus on what we do well and continue to hold our heads up and fight.
Booooommm into the second half we fired. Straight up into their D, hasselling the living daylights out of them. The pressure was incredible but they just about managed to deny us.
Our tired legs started to show when they broke and somehow I ended up in a 4 v 1 situation. Having to commit and close them down they managed to slip another one in.
Enough was Enough. It’s smack down time!
I took a quick 16, straight to the waiting stick of Emily, who drove up the left on to Scally who pirouetted, and spun past the oppo before firing a pass into Tarren who smashed it into the back of the net - YYYYEEESSS (turns out we may have generated a noise complaint from the neighbours due to our celebration ?).
We were back in the game and we were hungry for more. We battled up and down the pitch but with time against us we finished the game 2-1.
Ladies you all worked your socks off today, and I couldn’t be happier with how the team is starting to form. Keep that battling positive attitude and we will wipe the floor with anyone brave enough to take us on - because
WE ARE LADIES 3’s!!!!