Womens 1s vs Canterbury W1

The womens 1s set off on their first away day of the season, hoping to get off to a good start. A new season sees some new members into the squad. New members and National league debuts for Olivia Williams and Felicity Williams, Becky Geoghegan who joins us for a year whilst on placement in Norwich. Eva Harness a returning Magpie back also on a placement year. 

We arrived in Canterbury, nice and early ready to go in our new away strip. The sun was shining and the team were raring to go. After a good warm up, and the great playlist blaring louder than the oppositions Magpies set up for push back. Magpies started strongly taking Canterbury by surprise with a strong press. Canterbury were unable to hit the ball through the strong front line. Magpies picked balls easily and were able to drive forward. Opportunities to score came frequently and Magpies kept the Canterbury goalie busy. The whistle for the first quarter came and the score still remained 0-0.

The second quarter saw much of the same Magpies continued to push for a goal. Earning lots of short corners, however the goal remained elusive. Eventually a first shot from Emily Hicks rebounded onto Jess Howland who struck the ball hard, and hit the back board! 1-0 to magpies as the half came to a close. 

Magpies come out in the second half confident and determined to score another goal. Magpies continued to win the ball, however a Canterbury interception lead to them running into the D and scoring in a scramble to make it 1-1. Magpies began to tire but continued to work hard holding the score to 1-1 at the end of the third quarter. 

The last quarter got underway with the game being open to either team to take the win. Both teams had chances and some great saves from both goalies kept the score line the same. Canterbury won a short corner, and a clean hard strike hit the backboard! Magpies were 2-1 down and chasing to earn deserved point out of the game. They continued to push and created more chances but the goal was not to come. The final whistle blew and Magpies disappointingly couldn't get the point. 

Although the result did not go our way this week, Magpies can be very proud of their first performance of the season and look forward to some more promising performances to come. 

Next week the ladies have their first home game of the season vs Wimbledon 2s at 2.30pm. 

Squad:

Hannah de Selincourt, Jess Howland, Lauren Barber, Olivia Williams, Felicity Williams, Laura Tibbenham, Niamh Campbell, Emily Hicks, Liv Thomas, Anna Cogdell, Beth Gardens, Fran Ralston-Brown, Evie Brice, Eva harness, Becky Geoghegan, George Flatt