Match Report: Berrylands v London Edwardians
Saturday 1st March: 4-1 win
It’s Such a Perfect Day!
The sun was shining, Berries players were smiling and decisions needed to be made on how many layers to wear.
Tim and Gerry were umpiring as the oppo could not find one but had amazingly found two extra players from Friday when they only had 10.
Anyway, Berries game plan was to enjoy the game and the weather. Berries started the game with some confidence putting London Eds under some pressure by using both sides of the pitch releasing the Phoebe and Emma to take on the backs with support from Grace, Nikki and Vicky.
Berries thought (or at least I did bearing in mind I was in goal) that we had taken an early lead as the ball came across the D from Emma and Phoebe put it in the back of the net but unfortunately there was a bit of football by Phoebe so still 0 – 0. Berries kept pressing but could not get the ball in the goal. Meanwhile Eds looked dangerous on the break but could not quite get the final pass as Alison, Michelle, Susie, Helena and the occasional kick from me smuggled the ball away to the halfs to set up another attack.
The Berries halfs (Abbie, Jenny, Helen and Nina) were controlling the game looking to move the ball on or when that was not an option dribbling and trying to make sure the pass went to a Berries stick. Many a time the ball would be on right or left and Berries would get the ball to the middle and then out to the other side (just like the teams at National level) into space and the chance to attack. Eventually the ball ended up in the London Eds goal after a bit of a scramble so despite more pressure Berries went into half time 1-0 up.
Marking had been a bit of an issue in the first half for Berries and that was to prove their undoing as a loose ball in the D was picked up by a London Eds player and slotted past the out stretched leg of the Berries keeper – 1 -1 and Eds feeling positive.
Time for Berries to apply further pressure to get back in the game but no need to panic as there is plenty of time left to do so. Berries chances kept on coming and finally Emma’s shot across the keeper nestled in the far corner. Berries did not look back despite some more pressure and shots from London Eds, Berries were in control.
Further great play on both sides and some great passing saw Emma and Vicky set up the final two goals for Berries as they cruised to a 4 -1 win. Scorers were Nikki, Emma, Grace and Phoebe.
Final score: 4-1