Morpeth Ladies Hockey First Team Saturday 26th January 2008
Morpeth 9 Hull 2nds 0
Morpeth were confident they would win this game against bottom of the division Hull but they were also conscious of trying to play passing hockey rather than everyone having a crack at goal. Hull tried hard to make a game of it. They didn’t sit back and simply defend. The older players on their team tried to encourage and demonstrate to the youngsters how to play constructive attacking hockey right until the final whistle.
Morpeth played an impressive first half scoring 7 goals but without them all looking for glory. The ball travelled round the back of defence and through midfield with players working effectively in triangles all over the pitch. Now for the goals . .
Kelly’s eye – Moore dribbled the ball into the D and shot reverse stick. The ball travelled through the legs of the keeper.
One little duck – Moore instigated the move down the left hand side of the pitch and passed the ball perfectly for Dixon to slip the ball into the goal.
Cup of tea – Cockburn stopped the ball at the top of the D from a penalty corner and eased it right to Moore. She struck towards the left corner slightly lifting the ball. The dubious goals committee have awarded the final touch to Grant who “helped” the ball over the line, or had the ball already crossed it? Either way it the celebration alone meant Grant deserved it.
Knock at the door – Moore poached the ball from Hull’s pushback and drove down the right into the circle. She pulled the ball, generously, to the top of the circle where Dixon was waiting to finish the move perfectly.
Man alive – Left the keeper for dead. Moore dribbled into the right of the circle and decided that she had donated enough goals to her team mates. The ball was travelling away from her and she undercut while diving towards the floor. A very memorable goal worth the slightly grubbily grazed knees.
Tom’s tricks – This was a goal from a well worked penalty corner. Cockburn stopped and switched to Moore who rather than shooting passed it square to the penalty spot, where Bowler produced a cool and composed finish.
Lucky – Pattinson bulldozed down the right of the pitch from about the half way line into the D and cut the ball back to Dixon who secured her hat-trick.
7 – 0 at half time. Morpeth were excited at the prospect of reaching double figures but the forwards got a little carried away with the idea of a goal fest. Grant made some beautiful moves with the ball into the circle, weaving and dodging passed defenders with seamless ease. But there was something about the final shot that was alluding her in the second half. The harder she tried and more frustrated she became the more she fluffed and the louder her mates chuckled. Fluffy Fiona she may now be known. Dixon too missed several chances. Cockburn always complains her team are too nice though maybe this game was not the time to expose their cruel streak.
Hull’s keeper also seemed to come alive in the second half making some excellent saves..
Garden gate – A fourth for Dixon unusually from her reverse stick.
Doctor’s orders – so called because of a laxative during the war called number 9. Aptly scored by Moore, number 9 on the pitch and securing her hat-trick. She swept the ball from the top left hand side of the D and into the goal.
The league is very close this year and 9 goals may help if it comes down to goal difference. Let’s hope this was enough of a test to prepare Morpeth for Ben Rhydding next week who are always very difficult opposition.
Man of the Match – Lindsay Moore (for her lovely passing)
Team: Janice Rose (GK), Karen Hindmarch, Nikki Addie, Jenny Pattinson, Lynn Watkins, Sarah Henderson, Emma Cockburn (capt), Nikki Bowler, Katie Wardle, Charlotte O’Brien, Lindsay Moore, Lucy Dixon, Fiona Grant