Richmond W5 5 - 5 THD W7
Saturday 21 October 2023
Quintin Hogg Memorial Sports Ground
Match Report
After four weeks of consecutive losses and an ever changing team, the W7s headed to their second farthest home game of the season, Richmond, only second to Southgate on opening weekend. With a cancellation that morning and club miscommunication, the W7s were down to nine players at the meet time. A quick warm up and team chat to decide our new format and strategy for a game with two players short, we were ready to take on Richmond.
Richmond took advantage of THD being two short on the field and quickly overloaded our players leading to three goals in the first 15 minutes all through open play. THD managed to hold strong and conversation on the defensive line was this game was a loss; we could only control the goal difference we ended with. Another fast Richmond goal seemed to lead everyone to believe THD would be conceding another three points this week.
Suddenly with some luck and fast action play, THD managed to get their first goal over the line met with huge cheers on the pitch from all nine players. With this renewed energy it would only take another five minutes before we managed to hit that backboard again with even louder celebration. Richmond unfortunately would not let us close down their lead as they quickly put another in the back of our goal, a very fast paced hit. With that came the half time whistle and a 5-2 lead to Richmond.
The second half of this game can only be described as a battlefield with THD going in fighting. The W7s have a track record of always being better in the second half of every match, something we should probably rectify. Half time team talk and sweets definitely did the trick as THD managed to not concede any more goals despite the heavens relentlessly opening up 10 minutes into the 2nd half.
Not for a lack of trying on Richmond’s behalf, THD successfully defended over 10 short corners from them showing strength in the defensive line. GK Jules went down after a save and time was stopped; Jules carried on like the hero she is instead of walking off. From successfully defending shorts, THD then went on to successfully attack shorts too with another two goals coming from shorts and a third from open play bringing the score miraculously to 5-5. THD only needed to hold onto this to get their first point on the table.
The opposition however were not going easy on a very wet and exhausted THD team whilst they continuously used their subs. With the two minute signal from the umpire Richmond went in for one last attack that resulted in yet another short corner. Richmond used this to their advantage to run down the clock whilst setting up for the short allowing all of their team into our 25 for this short. The shot taken was stopped by Narnia’s leg and another short awarded, this time to be cleared by Rosie leaving the score as a 5-5 draw.
We may have won our first point going from 5-0 to 5-5 with only 9 players but it wasn’t without sacrifice and we wish Jules a speedy recovery with her cracked ribs.
MoM went to Avni for amazing play and two goals with special mentions to Jules and her cracked ribs, Alex, Robine and her hattrick, and Millie for a fantastic assist.
Written by Narmeen Kamran