Lack Of Subs Sinks Fives

Our fifths, depleted by half-term absences and a couple of no-shows, put in a brave performance against a Harborough Threes' team that had put 10past Roundhill the week before.

Antique player coach, Gaynor Nash, donned the 'keeper’s pads for about the third time in 50 years of club hockey, and was well protected for much of the game by a solid team effort. Nonetheless, her first action was retrieving the ball from the net when Harborough’s best player was allowed a free shot from the top of the D. We attacked well with good link up play between our midfield and attack, with our DMU recruits showing up well, Catherine Smith working hard and evergreen Joy York foraging up front.

Chances were created by us but not taken and Harborough notched a second when a good reverse stick shot beat Nash. We hit back, however, with good play down the left from Helen White and Amalia Gane resulting in a goal for Issie Leslie-Carter. We then had another good spell but couldn’t score.

In the second half we dominated. Centre-back Kim Moore was playing a blinder until a wild hit connected with her elbow and sent her off for the last 20 minutes of the game. We continued to battle hard, Nash making a couple of good saves including a diving stick save that then required a winch to get her back up. Unfortunately, spaces opened up and Harborough nabbed a flattering third.

Credit to all players but especially our Player of the Match, Kim and also Amalia, who played despite Fresher’s Flu.

Squad: Gaynor Nash, Jane Cottrell, Hazel McSweeney, Rosemary Jacques, Kim Moore, Helen White, Amalia Gane, Catherine Smith, Joy York, Eleanor Partridge (C), Issie Leslie-Carter