Before the first match the girls knew with promotion may come down to goal difference with the last game being against old foes Sheffield who looked like the main threat. With this in mind the girls were asked to attack with freedom. In the first match against Harrogate they carried this out brilliantly with some great hockey and using Erin and Katie on the wings to great effect resulting in a 5-0 win with goals from Becca 2 , Megan, Ellie and Katie who was set up by debut girl Millie.
The girls should have had 2 games off but Slazengers were 3 players short for the next game v Sheffield so it was only fair to offer them our 3 "weaker" players Cerys GK Ellie and Megan - the girls helped Slazengers put in a great game with Sheffield - Cerys making one wonder save with the stick and Sheffield only winning 1-0 with an end of game short corner. Sheffield won the next game v Harrogate 4-0
In our next game v Slazengers the girls again stuck to the plan to great effect and ran out 3-0 winners with goals from Megan 2 and Katie and Kathryn coming so close to her first goal for the club.
No time to rest as the girls were back on for a decider v Sheffield and were in the driving seat having gained the better goal difference so a draw would be good enough. The girls wanted to go for a win so the attacking formation was left in place. Sheffield to their credit camped in the Chap half all match but the back 3 who had not really seen the ball all day of Olivia , Beth and Emily T came into their own staying together as a defensive unit and with the help of Ellie in defensive midfield fought for every ball and when they were beaten Cerys was there to save. Megan and Emma in centre mid were now running on empty having put in a real shift in all 3 games so Emily was called on and helped the midfield with fresh legs .There was great relief at the final whistle from the players and Chap Ultra's and promotion was ours.
Although the wins were great the best performance for me was the 0-0 where the girls showed a back to the wall performance and great team spirit to hold out - never heard them shouting like that for a whole game to get each other going. We were praised by the Sheffield coach after for our team spirit and organization and commented we must work together as a team 2 or 3 times a week to get to that level !
Special mention to Emily, Becca and Emma stepping up from u12s and looked naturals at this level.
Erin MOM for the 2nd time in a weekend
It was a privilege to be in charge of the girls today - great bunch on and off the pitch and a credit to all the parents the team spirit among them is amazing and is one of the main reasons for their success on the pitch .
Division 5 next and 3 tournaments left so possibility still of Division 2 by the end of the season - no pressure Dean :-)
Merry Christmas to all the team and parents and a Happy New Year.