3rd December Match Reports

Stockport Team Match Report

REDDISH LOSES FIRST FLAG

After a lengthy lay-off from the game due to Mother Nature bringing frozen pitches and lovely cold weather, Reddish were ready to get back onto the pitch and doing what they do best before the dramatic change in seasons…scoring goals!!  As this was the first senior flags match of the season, the eagerness to get on to the pitch and start playing some hockey was written all over the Reddish faces.

The game started with reddish going straight on the attack and the first shot on goal was produced within two minutes.  After narrowly missing the post, Lucy Cook made no mistake the second time and scored a cracker right into the bottom left hand corner off a short.  The ball travelled that fast the Edgeley keeper didn’t even bother diving.  Reddish took the lead and continued to attack with Amber making more of her trademark runs down the right hand side and crossing the ball into the circle, ready for the Reddish forwards to attack.  It was this attacking style that lead to the first Edgeley goal, a counter attack with some strong hits down the middle of the pitch made for an easy tap in at the back post.  Crisp passing from the whole of the Edgeley team put reddish on the back foot midway and Edgeley were unlucky not to be in the lead at half time after a shot deflected off a reddish stick onto the crossbar. The reddish defence held strong and thanks to a number of diving saves from Andrea and goal line clearances from Mags, the scores were level going into half time.

With a flag on the line, the half time team talk woke Reddish up and the whole team was reminded of the correct substitution procedure after Maggie was green carded (ooops!).  Everything was still to play for going into the second half but it was Edgeley who took the lead with a nice drive into the bottom right corner from Lisa Hornbury.  The smooth play from defence to attack enabled a clear shooting opportunity and this was taken advantage of. 

Reddish were not to be beaten though and strong tackles in the middle of the field enabled the forwards to do what they do best, get the ball and shoot.  Saves from the Edgeley keeper helped keep them in the lead and the game descended into free for all with attack after attack for each team.  A very open game was finally decided with a Reddish own goal and Edgeley lead 3-1.  The game was far from over and drama was still to follow.

After bringing the ball up from defence, Reddish had the opportunity to make a shot on goal.  With three players around the ball, Dunners took the initiative and shot (maybe her only chance).  The ball went in the back of the goal…score 3-2…game on! No, the goal was disallowed as the ball was outside the goal (or in between the yellow and white line?) so the score unfortunately went back to 3-1.  The disappointment was evident in the reddish players, yet the Reddish defence kept their concentration, the final scored stayed at 3-1 and Edgeley won the flag.

Rachel Dunley