Match Report: 19th October 2024
W3 vs Surbiton W6 (Away)
League: London Women’s Div 3
HOCKEY AND HOME INVASIONS: THD W3 DISMANTLE SURBITON IN HEAD-TO-HEAD BOUT
- THD W3s earn hard-fought victory in a bruising, injury-filled match
- Amy starred both on and off the field earning both POTM and DOD
- THD’s quick second-half goals secured the win leaving them mid-table
In what should have been billed as a cage fight rather than a hockey match, THD's finest took on Surbiton 6s in a bruising encounter that could have doubled as an injury clinic.
Most players start their match with both feet on the pitch, but not Amy. She somehow mistook the nearby family home for the changing room in a pre-game escapade that foreshadowed her later DOD glory. After startling two kids and making herself a cheeky brew, she finally remembered she was here for hockey, not breaking and entering. Meanwhile, AJ turned up to the serious team huddle sporting a fading black eye from a previous hockey’ incident - more foreshadowing to come.
Coming off the back of three non-wins, THD were in full nothing-to-lose mode, ready to throw themselves - quite literally - at the opposition to break their streak. Thanks to Amy’s massive fanbase, the travelling supporters outnumbered their squad, creating the perfect audience for the impending chaos.
The action kicked off 20 minutes in when Emma found the back of the net to open what would be a goal-fest. THD quickly doubled their lead courtesy of Hannah’s battle with the keeper before Surbiton responded with a goal of their own, keeping the contest alive.
As the battle for the lead heated up before halftime, defender AJ - known for her textbook block tackles - took a ball to the face. The result? Lips that would make Kim Kardashian jealous. Down to 11 players and with AJ’s new lip filler courtesy of Surbiton, the odds were looking grim for THD going into the second half.
Reflecting on the carnage post-match, AJ said:
"We knew we needed the win today - no ifs, ands, or buts. We were willing to throw our bodies on the line, and in my case, my face. Swollen lips were a small price to pay for victory.”
Cue the second-half drama: two goals in quick succession from Abi, deflecting a killer pass from Anna, and Millie, wanting a slice of the action, sent Surbiton reeling. Desperate to claw back, the home side squeezed in a short corner goal, but it wasn’t enough. Abi then became the next casualty, leaving the field with a hand injury, forcing AJ - still nursing her inflated lips - back into the action.
Just to add salt to Surbiton's wounds, Amy netted THD's fifth and final goal as the whistle blew. A 5-2 triumph and three points were joyfully snatched up.
Amy, basking in her dual honors as POTM for her blistering runs, sublime goals, and silky passes, also scooped DOD for her pre-game home invasion. In her own words:
“Who knew accidentally breaking into a family home would get me in the zone? The adrenaline from possibly being kicked out really got my game face on.”
THD W3s now sit comfortably mid-table and will be gearing up for their next clash against Wanderers.