Match Report

Ladies' 1st XI 1
Vectis Ladies 1
Draw

Haslemere Ladies 1st XI 1 Vectis 1

Well to sum up before we start, it was a bit like this. In the first half we were mainly rubbish and in the second half we were a bit better.
The team got off to a great start for their the day trip to the Isle of Wight, as the transport arrangement were fab with Heide Evans bringing the team bus ensuring there was plenty of opportunity for team talk before the match. The only trouble was that the focus of this tactical opportunity did not actually centre on the match – or even hockey! Oh well, there was still the time on the ferry for that …..Mmmn – you guessed, not much hockey talk although the pre-match cup of tea was very popular.
Anyway, once at the venue, the team knuckled down to the more conventional pre-match preparation and warm up and were in a positive mood as they started the match. The work rate of Haslemere was good, but however hard they tried to create their usual flowing fast moving hockey, it was either Vectis or the dreadful pitch that thwarted their endeavors. A half time team talk and some positional changed by captain Megan Ashworth did mean that Haslemere produced some better hockey. Despite this, and against the run of play, Vectis scrambled a deflected ball in the D to give them the lead. In true Haslemere style, the team rallied and as the passing improved they began to dominate the opposition’s half of the pitch. They were duly rewarded for the pressure and awarded a short corner, which the multi-talented bus driver and left wing Evans netted to even the score. Although they continued to dominate the play, the game finished with the scores level. It was perhaps a victory for the Vectis pitch which is reflected in their very much better home record. ‘Mere struggled to cope with the concrete like uneven surface and were made to appreciate even more how fantastic our own facilities are with two superb pitches and a great pavilion.
On honest reflection, although we were disappointed, and Vectis delighted with the result, it was also a game that in our hearts we knew we didn’t deserve to win.
Team: Moffat, O’Neil, Henderson, Ashworth(Capt), Wilson, Tibbets, Wells, McBrown, Cracknell, Read(Man of the Match), Evans