Tough fixture against Reading for Ladies 1st XI
In a late Ladies South Prem 1 league game away at Reading Hockey Club, Winchester had several new names on the team-sheet with a few of their second team players brought in to fill some crucial gaps left through injury and illness.
Starting well, Winchester retained possession in the opening minutes before a loose pass allowed Reading to step in and seize the ball; quickly capitalising on the mistake to score a lovely far post shot from the top of the D. This break gave Reading momentum and they turned up the heat, repeatedly putting the young Winchester side under pressure and punishing even the smallest of errors. Multiple D penetrations resulted in a flurry of short corners, two of which were conceded by Winchester.
In the closing minutes of the first half, Winchester Captain Sarah Johns sprinted down the side-line chasing a loose ball, and the subsequent rising confident team effort fought to win a short corner just before the half time – but Winchester were unable to convert this –ending 4-0 down at half time.
Both teams restarted with renewed commitment, but it was Reading who increasingly applying well drilled ball movement to keep possession and create several good chances, before a second barrage of Reading short corners increased the lead for the home side to 6 – 0. As the game moved into the 4th quarter the unrelenting Reading pressure on the determined Winchester defence was too much and two further goals were added.
Despite being 8-0 down, the last ten minutes saw a resurgence of Winchester drive; some quick balls out from Ella Chainey at centre broke through Reading control and led to Winchester’s best opportunity of the game although unfortunate in failing to convert. Arguably the Winchester teams best performance came in the last 10 minutes with a flurry of attacks breaking the Reading defensive line and giving their defenders something to deal with. Final score 9-0 to the home side, who are second in this top league.
For a team who’s season so far this year has been marred with illness and injury to the point they have yet to see a fully fit starting 11 take to the pitch at the same time, very encouraging to see Winchester come out of this game with their heads held high knowing they played with tenacity right through to the final whistle. Although they may be the underdogs in a league filled with talented players if they keep working hard and believing in themselves then success will absolutely come to them as the season progresses.