Crewe vagrants 3s

Saturday 21st January 2017 saw BPHC Ladies 4s travelling through the joy of the M6 roadworks for a floodlit late push-back against unbeaten league leaders, Crewe Vagrants Ladies 3s. On arrival, the Brooklands’ supporters pitched a tent for their mini away fans and Hayley took on the dual roles of team manager and crèche coordinator.

The league leaders applied pressure from the whistle, which Brooklands soaked up with a great save from Aimee. A cracking clearance from Heather enabled Brooklands to apply some pressure of their own through neat work between Bex and Sophie. When the Vagrants countered, they met with solid defence from Heather and Lucy C, and Catherine’s intercept set up a great bit of team play. Rosie and Ruby fed Sophie whose on-target strike forced a full-commitment save from the Vagrants’ goalie and Amanda, coming in at full sprint, was unlucky not to pick up the rebound. Bianca battled hard to close down the Vagrants’ skilful young strikers who eventually broke through to win a penalty corner. Aimee made an outstanding save and solid defending ensured that their follow-up went wide. The Vagrants then demonstrated why they’d started the match with a goal difference of +29 by pouncing on the Brooklands’ clearance; their well-taken strike left Aimee with no chance (1-0). Brooklands responded well with some great pieces of individual skill: Elana made some probing runs; Ruby, Bianca and Lucy LH battled hard for the midfield; Rosie frustrated their star striker with some excellent channelling; Catherine, Heather and Lucy C made important tackle after important tackle; and Sophie and Bex ran their legs off, alternating between getting back to defend and worrying the Vagrants’ defence. The pace required to stay with the league leaders was summed up in Lucy LH’s response to Hayley’s substitution call: “When you’re ready Lucy” … “I was ready 10 mins ago!”. Brooklands remained strong through to half-time, in which Hayley juggled her team manager and crèche roles brilliantly by praising the team’s work-rate and making tactical suggestions, while having her hair done by the younger fans!

The Vagrants came out strongly from the restart and broke through to strike. Aimee did incredibly well to get to the ball but spin and pace unfortunately carried it over the line (2-0). Brooklands responded with an attack involving Bex, Ruby and Elana, but the Vagrants countered on the break and won a penalty corner which they converted on the rebound after Aimee’s outstanding save (3-0). Suitably fired up, Brooklands came out fighting with great pressure from Bianca, who was battling both the opposition and her shoes! Lucy C and Sophie linked up well, while Rosie, Elana and Lucy LH continued to make trouble for the Vagrants. Heather made a great run out of defence from a Vagrants’ penalty corner and Amanda made a vital tackle to release Elana for a super run down the wing. Bex did a great job of channelling their star player and Sophie’s intercept enabled Heather to make a powerful clearance, which Ruby gave everything to get on the end of. The Vagrants came roaring back to win a penalty corner, which Aimee saved brilliantly, and Heather, Lucy C and Bianca worked as a team to get the ball back up-field. The Vagrants were keen for a fourth but Brooklands were equally determined to keep them out. Hayley assigned Amanda the challenge of close-marking their play-maker and she sprinted her legs off to close down the skilful young player. When the Vagrants finally broke through, Aimee was ready and Captain Lucy C cleared the rebound off the line. Aimee made another excellent save and Rosie ran the ball up-field, working with Catherine and Bianca to keep the pressure on the home side right through to the final whistle.

Facing the unbeaten league leaders could have been intimidating for the Brooklands’ side, with its new faces and only one sub, but everyone gave their all to ensure the Vagrants had to work hard for their win. The character, skill and team spirit demonstrated at Crewe should provide an important platform for the 4s’ next match.