Wootton 3 vs Oundle Ladies 2

Final score: 4 - 0

On a day where ducks headed for shelter and fish wondered whether it wasn’t all a bit too wet, one of the strongest 2nd XIs in East Northants (whose named begins with an ‘O’) took the trip down the A45 to soggy Wootton.

We started strongly. Helen, Hatty and India, dominating the midfield, and with attacking runs down both flanks from Victoria and Rosie. An early chance fell to this week’s reporter, when she found herself one on one with the keeper. I’m blaming the failure to score on it being my first game of the season, but I wasn’t exactly infallible at the end of last year so perhaps best to move on.

Gradually, Wootton got more of a toehold in the game. To the fore was their annoyingly good midfielder (name dropping England caps after the game). The Oundle defence worked tirelessly, with Alex’s calming influence coming through the chaos and Vicky tackling ferociously. The Spice Girls were at number 1 when Kate last played hockey, but her first match of the millennium had her in the thick of the action. Eventually Wootton’s pressure told and the goals started coming. In the end, Olivia did a superb job to keep them down to 4. 

A disappointing 4 – 0 defeat, but they were a good side, conditions were tough, and we didn’t get the rub of the green. We could not be faulted for commitment and bravery, and these qualities were most embodied by Victoria whose determination to score led to a trip to A & E. 

The standout Player of the Match was Emily Ferguson. She demonstrated precise passing, tenacious tackling, and excellent skills throughout the match and formed a great link between attack and defence. 

We’re bound to win this week…