Match Report: 26th October 2024
W4/5 vs Cheam W2 Away
EH Women's Tier 4 KO Championships Round 1
Cup week - and this year’s W Tier 4 cup team is a combo of the W4&5s. Moving forward, this shall now be known as the dream team. However, with it unfortunately being half-term, a severe lack of our star Jnrs appeared on this week’s teamsheet but the dream team was looking strong and up for the challenge.
The squad headed off on a day trip to Cheam and Nonsuch High School, hoping to win the first round. Spirits were high, albeit with questionable songs blaring from the speaker during warm-up (flashbacks to the days of Reflex) and 5’s captain Ellen opted for a dancing warm-up. Not even a pre-match warning from the umpires that they would be strict would put a downer on proceedings.
The Toss - heads - first win of the game in the bag.
With the match about to push back, 4s legendary defender Jess H had still not arrived - but the 4s captain assured the team “This is normal but can the subs pass on the umpire's “no decent” warning as she would be the likely culprit”.
From the start, it was clear that the 4/5 ‘s dream team would dominate the match with an early break and shots on goal from both Clare and Cara. Then the short corners came. Finally a breakthrough. 0-1 THD from a slip left to Cara who found the backboard. Cheam’s goalie was on top form, but Becky quickly found the net. 0-2 THD.
Back in our defensive half, a short corner was given, and a defender broke the line and was sent away to the halfway line. Cheam and their hitting forwards rattled the backboard. 1-2 THD.
Could there be a fightback about to happen at the end of the first half? No, fear not.
THD got straight back on it, and a defensive error from Cheam saw a penalty flick awarded. Cara piped up oozing with confidence and declared she would take it. Boom, fast flick the right corner. 1-3 THD.
With the halftime whistle about to go, another short corner was awarded to THD, the shot was quickly dealt with by the cheam goalie and off the teams trotted for a half-time chat and Haribo.
Two more goals for THD in the second half, one from Izzy and a deflection off a short saw Jen hit the scoresheet.. There were talks of parking the bus, but Cheam changed their formation and the umpires blew for full time declaring they needed to get home in time for Strictly.
Cheam 1 THD 5.
Round 2 here we come.
PTOM: Cara for her brace (even though she was slightly hungover).
Also mentions to LB Anna for her runs up the line, mid-Elosie who had extra energy thanks to a pre-match espresso, Ruth for being the shortest person but picking overhead saves in defence and Erin for her workrate in mid, picks and getting compliments from the umps for it.
DOD: Clare for trying to score a short with her foot and breaking the attacking short and not realising it.
Shout out to Becky for talking her way out of a green card.
Cheam tourist review: We read about the gold post box before visiting, which would have been a highlight, but alas, we didn't spot it.
Cheam Clubhouse: Cheap pints and cheesy chips. Would recommend. (Cheapest in Cheam apparently!)