Ladies 1s vs Wimbledon - Draw 2-2

The morning started off with some exciting/intriguing chat about the new formation that the Chiswick ladies first 11 have adopted for the season. Not only did Rhianna Buchanan provide an epic white board session on this at the training on Wednesday, but an overly enthusiastic Rebecca Smith backed this up on game day doing her favourite show and tell activity involving moving the little blue and red people on the white training board. This got the team geared up and prepped for the game. As usual this ended up with ‘forget everything I’ve said and just play your own game!’’ 

With the Kiwi newbie: Erin Weber making her debut for the team, Chiswick was ready for some hockey and right from the whistle  played a pretty sharp and smart game which exposed Wimbledon’s 20 man squad’s loop holes; not long all proved its worth for Chiswick.

After numerous attempts of attack from the Chiswick ladies, a quick break from their defence released the ball into midfield which gave Sarah (I got the 2nd assist) Blackburn a chance to dribble though Wimbledon players into the path of Rebecca Smith who then ever so coolly transferred it on to the penalty spot finding Tisunge Barrack who without a hesitation banged it past the keeper! First goal sorted, first half done!

Second half started with Chiswick Keeper Kylie Burnett providing superb saves by diving so accurately every other minute like Tom Daley would, whilst her defence was facing Wimbledon’s classic aerials ‘’international hockey style’’. Still Chiswick could not be broken! One of these aerial did end up on a Chiswick defender’s chest who turned out to produce some rather colour language (not to be repeated). 

Despite all Kylie Burnett and her defence’s countless effort to shoo off Wimbledon from scoring, they did end up firing in 2 quick goals within 8 minutes which led to Chiswick being a goal behind.

The Chiswick platoon lead by Captain Mary Gamble did not give up the fight and were still determined to get another goal. With five minutes till the final whistle Chiswick provided a full team attack and full team defence scenario, surprising Wimbledon with a rude awakening of ‘’we never give up that easy’’ style.

This army style attitude led to the result of Chiswick’s 2nd goal which was created  by another great defensive tactic from Heather Ford onto Rhianna Buchanan in the midfield who swiftly picked up fast paced Laura Patterson on the right wing then who drove it down past  at least 5 Wimbledon players! Laura then held the ball looking for a pass but could only see red as the Wimbledon defence and the Chiswick strikers looked like they were re-enacting the scene from Finding Nemo ‘’Mine, Mine mine, mine’’! The goals line scramble resulted in Tisunge Barrack claiming the ball and boom passed the keeper. She claims her second goal of the game and Chiswick secure a point!

All is fair in love and war but the fight for Chiswick was fun after all! Although Coach Prashila Puna was happy to settle for a draw, we all know she will be searching for a win for the first league match next weekend when Chiswick Ladies 1’s play Eastcote at 1.30pm at Eastcote Hockey Club Astro.

Match Report by Tisunge Barrack