Exciting comeback for Ladies 1s

The first half was evenly-matched, with both sides making significant advances towards goal. Sophie Hoskins, Taminah Brown and Kiera Halloran up front made the Hawks defence work hard to prevent them from getting away a serious shot in the D, only conceding one short corner in the process, which Henley were unable to capitalise on. On the counterattack the visitors looked dangerous, but Rachel Herbert, Kat Green, Chloe Nelson and Kath Draycott in the back line were equally capable of clearing up any pressure. One quick break, however, saw the Hawks team pick out an unmarked player who shot the ball past ‘keeper Hannah Lavis, taking the half time score to 1-0 to Hawks.

The wind picked up in the second half, matching the rise in tempo of the match. Quick rotations in the midfield by coach Nick Richards allowed Louisa England, Jem Barham-Mackie, Mel Joyce, Ellie Roseff, Charlotte Cockerton and Georgie Metcalfe to put continuous pressure on any Hawks possession, earning turnovers through forced errors and precision tackles. The home side soon equalised following a short corner which saw Green find England on the post to deflect the ball in.

Despite Henley having control of the game, the draw was short-lived after an unusual defensive Henley error resulted in an overload leaving keeper Lavis facing two open players who moved the ball around her to find the back of the net.

Undeterred the amber and blues continued to play well and were soon back up in their attacking D, allowing England to earn herself a hat-trick and man of the match by deflecting in a further two goals off well-worked short corner routines. The final 12 minutes of the match was intense, but Henley’s mental strength ensured that Hawks wouldn’t have another opportunity to equalise.