Another frustrating result for the L1s

After last weeks difficult loss in the rain, Marlborough ladies firsts where determined to gain a home game win. A motivating talk from Emily Carter Davies and an intense warm up readied the team for the game ahead. Despite this, Marlborough ladies begun the game slowly, with the first 10 minutes in a daydream.

Bournemouth 3s scored their first goal. They worked their way around Marlborough with long swift one touch passes and soon reached the back of the net. Not long after, Bournemouth scored again! Another well worked goal from some set play routines.

2-0 to Bournemouth, things were not looking good.

As Marlborough began to settle after a tough first 15 minutes, there was some great play, working as a team once again. Rachel Cox executed some amazing distributing work from the middle of the park and forwards Milly Dawson, Catherine Manley, Grace Berry and Bella Busby made some excellent runs in and around the D. Issy Davies made some insane saves in goal as Bournemouth continued attacking.

Despite this hard work and more attacking plays, Bournemouth scored again with another well worked goal. As the half time whistle blew, Marlborough Ladies let their heads hang low heading into the halftime break. However, after an awe inspiring half-time talk from Anna Scott things began to look up. Marlborough Ladies Firsts came back fighting. Determined to equalise, Marlborough began to see a lot more possession and ball time in their D. Was a come back come on the horizon?

Jess Davis showed some silky skills as she ran through the middle of the park, whilst Man of the Match Beth Palfrey owned the lines and showed her defensive expertise. Annabel Ashley and Amy Davidson used their speed and incredible stick workability to play the ball into the D towards forwards Milly, Grace, Bella and Catherine. Small one-two passes were working for Marlborough, as the ball pinballed down the pitch towards the goal with great work from Kitty Cleaver. Then finally a goal! After some lovely teamwork from everyone on the pitch, a searching diagonal ball was made in from Jess Davis to Bella Busby, who was in prime position. The ball flew up into the back of the net! After a short celebration, everyone ran back to position, ready for another goal. After some great play, Marlborough then scored another goal! A quick ball around the keeper to Catherine Manley that was calmly slotted away.

Everyone tried their best to keep the ball down Bournemouth’s end of the pitch, the press worked well with the visitors struggling to get balls away from their area, however, Bournemouth’s press also worked really well. Emily Carter Davies threw some amazing aerials over the top of the game and Anna Scott showed her skill, but unfortunately so did Bournemouth. These snappy long passes again gave Bournemouth another well worked goal, leaving the final scoreline 4-2. Despite the end result and a few downfalls throughout the game, I think Marlborough should keep their heads held high, as the side will keep improving and overall played some amazing hockey! Well done to MOM Beth Palfrey who played amazing!!