Top of the table versus bottom of the table- it was a rollercoaster of a match with great passages of play and constructive passing which resulted in six team goals. Harriet Stevenson scoring three, being in the right place at the right time to receive and finish. The class of Bex Smith with a classy reverse chip flick, Laura Patterson with speed and a well paced lead into the circle and Sarah Blackburn from the top of the d a well-placed low flick.

Chiswick Ladies still hold their position at the top of the league with a sound 6-0 win! 

On a cold day away in the outskirts of London, the L3s modelled their matching underarmours to take on Eastcote 2s. As a red carpet was unavailable, Feline van der Sluijs was forced to walk through some mud (yes, MUD, the horror) to reach the changing rooms. Despite this travesty the game started well, with the two teams evenly matched apart from Eastcote's late signing of Alex Danson.

Strong linkup play between the defence and midfield gave Chiswick a few chances on goal but the scores remained tied for much of the first half. Eventually Eastcote played smart and put the ball on a foot in the Chiswick D, which resulted in a penalty corner and a scooped shot on goal which hit Bernie Elliott-Bowman on the line and resulted in a penalty flick and a goal for Eastcote.

At the half-time whistle, Laura Bryant decided it would be great fun to hide her stick somewhere and spend five minutes trying to find it again while the rest of the team chatted tactics and all that jazz.

Into the second half, and Chiswick continued to play confidently while soaking up some extended periods of Eastcote attacking  pressure. Suzanne Birkett and Emma Milton battled hard in the middle to make chances again and again. Unfortunately, despite some final tense minutes of Chiswick attacking pressure the L3s were unable to capitalise on their chances and the game ended in a 1-0 loss.

Mom - Emma Milton
Dod - Laura Bryant.

The ladies 4s arrived hyped and ready for a tough match against old rivals Staines in freezing conditions! Both teams were promoted from Division 2 last season so this was a tense re-match for both sides now in Division 1 and very closely matched in the league. The first half was a cagey affair for Chiswick until we found our groove. Towards the end of the first half we were awarded a penalty corner. Rachel Buist stepped up with an awesome first strike straight into the left hand bottom corner to put us 1-0 up at half time. This quality strike also earned Rachel MoM! The second half was strong - with Chiswick’s defence working together to keep Staines out. Despite a tense last quarter we managed to hold-on for a well earned 1-0 win and a crucial three points - and a push up the table to 8th! Thanks to Nick Richards, Cowboy and all the Chiswick supporters. DoD went to Gemma McIntosh for putting in a block tackle on her team-mate Jade Caton!

Chiswick Ladies 4s fought hard but were undone by top of the league Southgate 3s.
In the first half the opposition scored two goals - both unlucky scrambles in the D - and in the second half they executed a brilliant short corner move to put one passed us.
Despite this there were periods where Chiswick put Southgate under pressure - especially when they received a yellow card and were down to 10 players in the first half.
Special mention must go to the entire defensive line who did a brilliant job against waves of attack and approximately a dozen short corners. Incredible athletic keeping from Alice earned her Man of the Match. Sophie Green received Dick of the Day for total failure to remember her shirt number.
Despite the scoreline this was a good performance - especially considering that we are recently promoted from Division 2 and they are recently demoted from the Premier Division. Next up the L4s play old rivals Staines so a big come-back match next week!

Playing at home this week our L2s were looking to put on a display of brilliance. The pre-match team talk focused on specifics we need to work on, also acknowledging attributes of fellow players to draw on/from and build on. We had clear objectives as individuals and as a team and a decent warm up saw us ready at the whistle. For the most part it worked, but we just couldn’t get that ball in the net.

10 mins into the game a fast break and swift attack from right hand corner, a cross ball to their left mid and H&W scored their first goal. But Chiswick defence and midfield linked well and Cookie Bowie (close second MOM) distributed that ball from the 16 at the pace of a springbok being chased by a lion, a very hungry lion, relieving our defence from pressure by H&W’s press. End of 1st half we were still 1-0 down.

The first 10 mins of the second half Chiswick L2s proved their worth and were so in control that the calm was almost palpable. Free hits were taken quickly, 50/50 balls met, short linking passes saw us zig zag neatly up the pitch into our attacking D time and time again. Again Cookie showed her strength in defence, timing a tackle to perfection and quickly turning the tables in our favour. A quick lay off to Vicky Lorrimer on our right half who again laid it off to Georgina Wilson down the right who carried it to base line, did a cheeky little spin and popped it in the goal. 1 all!

H&W soon scored their second goal; a Chiswick foot foul in the D that umpire didn’t see but H&W used it to their advantage and Chiswick were painfully reminded of the lesson “play to the whistle”.

Last 10 mins we had a flurry of opportunities. Chiswick scored an equalising goal! But the decision was revoked when it became apparent that a naughty PHC foot got in the way. The last few minutes saw us scrabbling in the D, striking at every opportunity, ready for every re-bound, but it wasn’t enough.
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Mom Vicky Lorrimer for reading the game well and delivering sharp, weighted passes
Dod Danni Petticrew for remembering her travel-mugged-coffee but forgetting her socks!

The ladies fours knew that this would be a tough match - and they really felt the Division 1 heat for the first time this season. Despite a valiant effort from the whole team we succumbed to some excellent play from West Hampstead. Chiswick went in 4-0 down at half time. The team talk focused on tightening things up and continuing to work hard. The team responded brilliantly and were much improved in the second half. Overall, the ladies played better than the scoreline suggests and they had a proud captain at the end of the game. MoM to Sinead McGeever for never giving up and DoD Cat Jackman for almost throwing her stick over the fence in the rain - a contender for most bizarre moment of the season!

On a particularly rainy November morning, the PHC Chiswick ladies 2s ventured out West to play Eastcote’s ladies 2s. 
Though the match ended in a disappointing 2-1, PHC Chiswick played a reasonable game scattered with some great moments of quick passing as well as a good number of smooth transfers round the back.

Despite being inside Eastcote’s D on numerous occasions, Chiswick’s ladies had difficulties creating strong shots at goal. There were a few beautiful setups for deflections, but unfortunately none of these were cashed in.
The goal that Chiswick did make was a perfectly converted short corner, which went from Danni Petticrew on the left to Tara Byrne who then slipped the ball towards the goal where Charlotte Cooper got the deflection in.

Eastcote’s ladies 2s also had various attempts at goal. Most of there were dealt with expertly by goalie Millie Lang, who made a particularly impressive safe in a one to one face-off with an Eastcote attacker who had bypassed Chiswick’s defence. Despite this strong presence, two balls did make it into the ladies 2s goal.
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MOM went to Tara Byrne and Emma Bornebroek received DOD.

After a week’s break Chiswick Ladies 1s returned to action looking to end their opposition’s unbeaten record and return to the top of the league. Despite being two players down during the pre-match preparation and warm up due to excessive Friday night antics (and one never actually making the game!), Chiswick managed to find their concentration by the first whistle and started the game brightly. Man of the Match, Rebecca Smith, made the pressure count with a coolly converted short corner in the first 10 minutes. Milton Keynes responded soon after with a break-away goal but Chiswick ensured they were back on top at the break with Rebecca Smith this time turning provider to set up Harriett Stevenson who scrambled the ball over the line.

Chiswick turned up the pressure in the second half, dominating possession and leaving Kylie Burnett little to do in goal. Despite a relatively flat opening five minutes, Smith and Rhianna Buchanan continued to cause problems for the visitors defence, creating a number of short corner opportunities. Laura Patterson converted with a sweeping top corner effort from a pinpoint Mary Gamble pass to put clear light between the two teams. Chiswick continued to hunt for more goals and some brilliant teamwork from Buchanan and Sarah Blackburn to create a turn-over on the right side of the pitch, enabled Smith to once again find Stevenson in the D who calmly lifted the ball over the oncoming keeper to extend the home team’s lead.

​Chiswick look ahead to next week’s away fixture against Buckingham happy to have taken 3 points but will be looking for improvement in their overall performance to maintain their strong league run.