Charnwood Sileby 2 Match Report

Saturday 15^th March

            Charnwood Sileby 2    v    Loughborough University 5ths

Result:       2 – 2

 Charnwood Sileby 2nds were thrilled with the 2 –2 draw against top of the league side  Loughborough University 5ths.  They knew getting any kind of result was going to be a tough challenge against the current leaders but the draw was a great result, increasing Charnwood’s chances of promotion to the Leicestershire premiership.

 Both teams had everything to play for today as a draw or win for Loughborough meant that they would win the league. Therefore, the match was great to watch with both teams putting in 100% effort and playing some entertaining hockey. The match was very even in the first half with both teams having chances on goal. It was not until just before half time that one team managed to beat the keeper and open the scoring. Unfortunately for Charnwood, Loughborough managed to score a good goal just before the half time whistle. With not enough time to get a goal back, the half time score remained at 1-0 to the visitors.

 In the second half Charnwood tried not to let the fact that they were trailing effect their confidence and were determined to get a goal back. Unfortunately though it was not long before Loughborough managed to sneak a second goal, leaving Charnwood with a hard challenge ahead of them. Charnwood were confident that they could recover from one goal down as they had done it before against the Uni side but getting back from 2-0 down against such a strong side was going to be difficult.

 Charnwood were given some hope midway through the second half when captain and player of the match Alison Goodger performed a reverse stick strike lifting the ball in to the top of the net. A determined Charnwood side then pushed hard up front and defended well at the back aiming to get that second goal. Their efforts paid off when they were awarded with a penalty corner. Cath Drew pushed the ball out to Alison Goodger who took a hard strike at goal. The strike was too good for the keeper and Goodger was awarded with her second goal.

 The last 10 minutes of the match were very frantic for Charnwood as Loughborough put lots of pressure on the Charnwood defence and had most of the possession. They were therefore very relieved when the final whistle went and were over the moon with the 2 – 2 draw.

Charnwood would like to congratulate Loughborough University 5ths as the draw meant that they had won the Leicestershire Division one league.

Charnwood team: Helen W, Helen R, Anne, Thea, Rachel, Claire, Cath,

                                   Aileen, Alison, Karen, Mel, Sian, Abbie, Izzy, Viv.

From Cath Drew