Chiswick L1's v West Hampstead L1's 3-1 win away 6.12.2014

3-1 win to Chiswick (Half time 2-1 to Chiswick)

MOM: Ceilidh Walker
DOD: Helen Taylor

It was a chilly start to the day, cars needed defrosting and woolly hats pulled out of storage before the journey north to West Hampstead. Going into the game level on points and West Hampstead (WH) having drawn away to top of the table Whitney the week before, Chiswick knew they were in for a tough game.

WH started strongly playing the game in Chiswick’s defensive half.  Despite the best efforts of a diving Jenifer (Jen) Romano on the line, WH capitalised on their early possession with a goal in the first 10 minutes. This provided the wakeup call required and Chiswick started to play their way back into the game. DOD Helen (Cappy) Taylor had a birthday goal denied by the WH keeper from a penalty corner shot but Chiswick didn’t have to wait long to get on the scoreboard. Fearless MOM Ceilidh Walker stole the ball from WH and ran towards the goal. A rather enthusiastic defender took her stick out of play and Chiswick were awarded a penalty stroke which Rebecca (Bex) Smith expertly put away. Chiswick continued to dominate and increased their lead with Rhianna (Rhi) Buchanan pouncing on a deflection from Bex’s penalty corner shot.

Chiswick started the second half as they had finished the first, with confident passing, both across and up the field. Harriet Stevenson continued her goal scoring form picking up a lose ball in the circle to increase Chiswick’s lead to 3-1. WH staged a comeback in the closing part of the game however Chiswick remained calm and the defence held strong to see out the second half with a clean sheet. The win leaves Chiswick 3rd on the table after the first round and looking dangerous as they embark on the first game of round two next Saturday away at Milton Keynes.