Match Report Written by – Becky ‘the bullet’ Lewis

So, here we all are again, the start of another exciting season of hockey:-)

As BAC players arrived at the pitch we were all greeted with feelings of familiarity and nostalgia, eager to get back in the swing of things after the summer break. The air was warm, the sky was bright, and the sun managed to be elusive until after the game, which we were all thankful for!

As always at the start of a game, we ran through the games players, and it was soon very obvious we were missing some of the legendary, renowned, esteemed, acclaimed, illustrious, notorious, greats of BAC ladies hockey club, who decided it was better to climb some sort of ‘great wall’ in China, than be there to support their team mates at the start of the season. But, alas, the game must go on. So, with the remaining first team and some great support from the second team BAC united, old and new, 1st and 2nd, to ensure we had the best start to the new season.

After warming up, and confirming positions, we soon began to realise that we had a very heavy attacking side as there were some major gaps in the defence. But, after running through some short drills, we were confident that we would be able to remain strong at the back, and if not, just try and score more than the other team!

So, here we go then……….

The match started well for BAC, with some nice passing up the line and some good triangle work. So too did Lansdown, managing to break a couple of times down the  middle, to test our (make shift) defence who stood their ground and managed to intercept the ball.

Although there was some nice play in the middle of the park, neither team was managing to convert this to goals. It was very much up, and down for the first 15 minutes or so.

BAC stepped it up a gear and continued to press the Lansdown defence, eventually winning a couple of shorts, neither of which amounted to goals. But, we didn’t give up and BAC were on the break again, this time with Tinny picking up the ball in the D, dummying the keeper and shooting………..GOAL.  The crowd(well Ceri) went wild(well, not so wild as heavily pregnant!). On the pitch, congratulations all round for Tinny. 1-0

Now BAC had the belief that they could win this game and start the season off with 3 points. But Lansdown came back hard, with break after break, managing to penetrate the BAC D multiple times with BAC defence doing its job well. Lansdown keep coming, having a brilliant reverse stick shot, that was excellently saved by the BAC keeper.

BAC managed to break again, this time Sally being passed the ball in the D. She, A- took a tumble, or B- did the most amazing, spectacular dive, swiped at the ball whilst falling to the ground, and found the back of the net…….GOAL. Nice piece of immense skill from Sally. (It was B – I did an amazing dive to get a goal – Sally) 2-0

Lansdown, again, continued to press BAC right up to the half time whistle.

After an inspiring team talk by captain Lisa, BAC were determined to go back out there and hold on to their lead and get three points.

Lansdown came out storming in the second half, testing BAC once again, and having break after break. But BAC managed to stay strong, keep together and get the ball down the other end and into the Lansdown D once again. The ball was played into the D were Lisa was going to pick up and convert to a goal. But from behind her, she hears a passionate shout from Lor saying leave it. Lor sprints, picks up the ball, shoots and scores a well placed shot into the back of the net……….GOAL.

3-0 to BAC

BAC cant believe it, we are ahead by three goals. Now this, is where it all starts to go wrong………

Lansdown begin to make an incredible come back. Using their gut and determination, and never giving up. They keep pressing BAC, and are awarded a short for a foot in the BAC D. They shoot from the top of the D, beating the keeper, but being denied by the astounding defensive skills of Sophie who, stops the ball on the line, much to the relief of the keeper.

They keep on coming with shot after shot, forcing the keeper to make save after save, diving to the left and right to keep them out.

BAC pick up the ball, again and charge the Lansdowne defence, but possession is lost and Lansdown are on the charge again. Another short awarded, this time a good, solid strike from the top of the D, betting the BAC defence………. GOAL Lansdowne.

All is not lost for BAC yet. And we continue to try and win the ball back, after losing possession. Lansdown keep coming and charge the D again, with a shot the finds the top right corner, and in………GAOL Lansdown. Making the score 3-2

Again, Lansdown keep coming, after possession being lost by BAC. Lansdown have multiple shorts awarded in the latter part of the second half, being keep out by the sticks, and bodies, of the BAC defence. Good blocks, by Wolley pulley at the top of the D, block by Emma’s knee (so she now has two on the same leg) and save on the line by Liz. But, odds are one was going to go in eventually. Lansdown are awarded a further short in the dying seconds of the game, the shot hits the foot of the defender, and another is given. Lansdown hit out, its picked up at the top of the D, its passed around dummying the keeper, they shoot………………. despite some brave defending on the line by Sophie, it hits her leg and falls into the goal………… GAOL Lansdown.

Final whistle is blown. Score 3-3

BAC are gutted dropping 2 points, but grateful for the point. Congratulations to Lansdown who fought hard and deserved to get back in the game. In the end a satisfying score line for both teams, and a lesson learnt for BAC.

So, with egos and bodies bruised, we head to teas and forget all about the game, due to more important events like X factor

Man of the match this week goes to……..

1st Becky ‘the bullet for awesome goal keeping skills

2nd Woolly Pulley & Sledger

3rd Ned, Tinny, Sophie, Lisa and probably some other people, but I forgot to write them down. Soz

No dick of the day this week as we forgot to vote for someone, but I’m sure it probably would have been Wolley-Pulley or the ‘pretty one’ as it often is.

Until next time……..

MOTM – The bullet

Emma and her 3rd knee