Ladies 3rd vs Colchester 2

The third game of the season was a tough one for Sudbury Ladies 3’s.  With a considerable number of last year’s squad elevated to L2 or even L1 this year, the L3s are having to start afresh and build a new team in a higher league.  All things to be proud of but also tending to make winning just a tad more of a challenge.

The team were away against Colchester 2s who exploded onto the pitch and took control from the beginning.  However, with a team made up of a mixture of wise (wizened?) heads and fast young feet, Sudbury showed some significant ability throughout the game.

L3s pride themselves in their ability to adapt to new ways of play and varying tactics of the opposition.  However, even centre forward Robins was utterly blindsided when, on entering the oppositions goal and poised to shoot, one of their defenders threw herself into a unscheduled and unexpected bout of the opening moves of the Hakka and then promptly tried to rugby tackle Robins to the floor.  Naturally Robins handled this with dignity and aplomb and retaliated with some excessive arm movements (certainly not gesticulations of annoyance - never!) to counter the Māori moves of her opponent.  The umpire was so impressed with her prowess that Robins was asked to take a few minutes rest, off the pitch - and would she mind admiring this yellow card on her way off.  Deeply strange choice of outcome from the ref in a match that was, pretty much otherwise, extremely well umpired. But to Robins’ unbounded delight and joy, she was awarded Unicorn of the Match for her rare and beautiful modern dance interpretations.

Even with some heroic and solid defence from Slugger Groom Major, Slugger Groom Minor and the ever shrinking Carter, Colchester managed to get 5 goals past Sudbury in the first half.  But despite that, the half time talk was not one of despondency but of positivity and pride at how Sudbury had held a significantly more accomplished team partially at bay.

The second half showed Sudbury at its best.  The robust and consistent play of Bryce, Dallas and Steel Major in the midfield, matched with several breaks from Slagter, Steel Minor, Whiting and Williams, meant that Colchester were far more limited in their options and significantly hampered by some disciplined and rigorous one-on-one marking by Sudbury.  Some great play also from Robins who took the game to the opposition time and time again. The focus and tight play showed the early signs of a developing disciplined team that clearly hampered the opposition’s play book.

Ninjas and Hockey Goal Keepers usually have just one thing in common - you only tend to see the bad ones.

However, today’s match proved that thinking wrong, as the Captain-Goal Keeper, Empress Lock of the High Reaches, stole the limelight by showing agility, prowess and skills that would bring a tear to the eye of the most experienced Ninja WarLord.  She more than justified being recognised as Player of the Match with some deeply intuitive and impressive saves.

Whilst the final score was 8-0 to Colchester, the opposition were clearly disappointed as they had expected a far easier match against a much lower ranked side.  The youngsters played with real promise and bravery which bodes well for future matches so kudos to Whiting, Williams and Steel Minor. And the L3 stalwarts were as convincing and steady as always.  

All credit to Colchester 2 in that they played an amazing game. Some excellent and sublime goals which, in any other circumstance, would have had us rising from our seats and clapping. 

However, Colchester may have won the match but, let’s be brutally honest, we were significantly funnier than them - and that is what really matters!