Ladies 1s vs Hampstead and Westminster 3s - WON 3:1

3 points, 3 goals, 3 goalscorers, 3 goalkeepers(!!)
Unbeaten in 2014 and scoring plenty of goals, confidence was high in the Ladies 1s changing rooms and we were keen to secure the 3 points we needed to keep us within reach of the top spot in South League 3a.  After an individual and team shout(!) Chiswick took the game to Hampstead and Westminster, passing the ball around them with ease and creating scoring opportunities within the first 10 minutes. 

The game was played high up the pitch, with the Chiswick centre backs, Katherine Duncan and Jen Romano stepping up to turn over any counter attacks.  After enjoying plenty of possession, Becky Alltree spread the ball wide to Helen Taylor on the right who picked out Ceilidh Walker at the top of the D who struck the ball with precision to the bottom left corner of the goal.  

With the teams only separated by a goal at half time, Chiswick were pleased with their first half performance but couldn't help but feel that the one goal difference just wasn't enough.  Hampstead and Westminster came back fighting in the second half and after a fine first save by Chiswick goalie Matilda Lang, an attacker was fouled with a clear shot on goal resulting in a penalty stroke.  The Hampstead and Westminster penalty taker fired to ball into the corner of the goal providing them with an equaliser against the run of play.

Chiswick remained patient and still looked the stronger team, playing the ball around confidently and going in hard on the tackles. Chiswick made it 2-1 when Laura Jacques passed to Tisunge Barrack on the back line who beat two defenders before squaring the ball to Alex Earnshaw to slot into an open goal. 

A third goal soon followed when Becky Alltree found Helen Taylor on the left who played the ball into the path of Rhianna Buchanan who had made the perfect run into the D.  Buchanan sent the ball past the keeper and into the goal, giving Chiswick the two goal lead they deserved. 

The last 10 minutes saw Hampstead and Westminster play their best hockey, winning short corner after short corner.  However, player of the match, goalkeeper Matilda Lang ensured that the scoreline remained 3-1 to Chiswick, commanding the D and making some superb saves.  Next week the Ladies 1s travel to Witney for a tough game against the in-form team in the league.

Mom – Millie – superb, especially all the short corner saves in the last 10 minutes!

Dod – Tee – forgetting her skort and being bailed out by Pras

---