Dashing Draw against Bath Buccs 4

Considering Bath Buccs had come third in the league last season, we knew that this game was going to be a challenge, seeing as we’d never played as a team before. With Verity, our on-pitch captain, practicing shorts with the forwards, Katie stepped up and won the toss for our first push back of the season. Bath Buccs dominated for the first ten minutes of the game but our defence rose to the challenge with Charlie and Mimi providing an impenetrable wall. We pushed forward and won a short corner but the Bath Buccs’ defence was too strong for us to get a goal out of it. We tried again a few minutes later, ending with the same result. Still 0-0. Despite having only one sub to get us through the match, the team made good use and we adopted the strategy of “The Rolling Sub”. Keeping the intensity high, we fought hard against Bath Buccs and kept them out of our D most of the time… We did, however, give away two short corners in the first half of the game but Katie, Mimi, Charlie and Helena defended these well, not allowing any goals to be scored. Half time is called and the score is 0-0.

Half time was filled with red faces, heavy breathing, lots of water and, of course, a motivational speech from Sarah. Expecting our extra sub (Alex Knighton) to show up at half time we decided to go out as we started and fight harder for a goal.

Minutes into the second half, this decision was solidified. Verity whacked the ball into the top of the goal making the score 1-0 to Marlborough. We reset and continued to fight, our subs rolling constantly again. About half way through the second half, the defence decided it would be a good idea to give up six short corners in a row (maybe some practice is needed?) but still a goal from Bath Buccs was not produced. Roughly ten minutes later, Bath Buccs were on the attack again and in our D. One of their players lifted a shot and, well, let’s just say that Alex decided to play football. She lifted her foot and stopped the ball perfectly with it. Our cheerleader on the side, Daisy, and the rest of the team fell about laughing. This will be remembered for the rest of the season by all. A penalty was given and Bath Buccs pushed it past our goalie, Issy, and into the goal. The score is now 1-1. We continued to play for another ten minutes and we started to lose our shape but we pressed on and refused to give up another goal. The whistle blows and the final score is 1-1.