Womens 1s vs Holcombe W1

The women's first team were back on the road this week after three back-to-back wins in the previous weeks. After beating 3rd place Barnes at home last week, they were full of confidence going into this week’s game against 2nd place Holcombe, who are looking for promotion.

Magpies started the game well, taking some a few minutes to adapt to the pitch and the double dimpled ball! Magpies pressing shape looked good with the forwards working hard to press Holcombe's composed back line. This excellent press led to a number of attacks for Magpies, resulting in them winning a corner in the 6th minute after a flying Holcombe stick tackle. In the initial corner, Holcombe’s dasher was sent back to the half way line after breaking. With Holcombe a man down, the corner was taken again and Jess Howland took her chance from the straight strike, hitting the ball clean and hard against the backboard.

This rattled the promotion hunting team as they appeared shocked to find themselves down in the game going into Q2. Magpies continued to look dangerous on the break, whilst on the other foot, our back line of Lauren Barber, Eva Harness and Anna Cogdell did a fine job of denying any Holcombe attacks. This meant that the under- dogs went into the half break being 1-0 up.

After the half time break, Magpies knew they had to remain composed as the home side were going to be hungry for goals. That they were and they pressed us hard and high. This continual pressure led to a corner for the home side but Georgia Flatt in goal dealt with the routine well keeping her side in the game. Towards the end of Q3 the game went up a gear. Holcombe getting a green card did not phase them as they started to look dangerous on the attack. With the game having ball patrol, every quick restart was taken quickly. In the 51st minute, Holcombe took advantage of this and caught Magpies unaware with a quick restart, leading them to score a reverse stick strike at the top of the D. However, this goal was later disallowed after there were actually two balls on the pitch at the same time. Much to Holcombe fury; they hit back hard two minutes later and in the 53rd minute scored a well-executed flick into the bottom right to draw level just before the 4th.

Holcombe continued to pile on the pressure in the 4th quarter, looking for that win they knew they needed for a chance of promotion. However, Magpies stayed calm, denying their attempts. In the heat of the game, both teams went down to 10 at points, after some stick tackles were made. Lauren Barber was really unlucky to receive her first green this season after a worldie of a jab tackle in a 1 v 1 situation. Magpies coped well, pressing well and playing on the break. Beth Garden’s continued to work tirelessly in the centre of the pitch and her unreal skill and vision saw her eliminate two players and then pass to Hannah De Selincourt who was unmarked at the top of the D. Hannah calmly took on the GK, rolled to the right and slotted home to put her side into the lead for the for the second time in the game with only 5 minutes left on the clock. Holcombe then took their GK off to try and draw level, but chances were again denied. They managed to find a foot in the D with 20 seconds left on the clock, but this was not enough for them, as George saved the corner as we then saw out the remainder of the game.

A HUGE win for the girls against a side who are in with a chance for promotion. Magpies winning, mean that Holcombe drop down to 3rd in the table; with only a point separating them and Barnes who are now in 2nd place.

The girls face Slough next week at home, who now sit one point below Magpies in 6th place. Your support is much appreciated at 'The Nest' next Saturday at 2:30.