From the first whistle it was evident that Wigan turned up today only for a win. New to Gtr Manchester Women’s League this season they clearly wanted to impress. A high place in div 2 table & now overtly after the cup, impress they did. They (sadly) took a 9-0 win from us.
MP held their own in the 1st half. Halftime score was only 3-0 against a much stronger team.
In the 2nd half however Wigan attacked again. Wave after wave with multiple forward substitutions. One goal came from a well worked penalty corner routine. Then with 10 mins to go the mother of all hail storms descended, thanks Dennis. Play stopped as painful stings from the stones lashed us all & created a white out of the pitch. A brief consultation between umpires & captains ensued. A slippery pitch is a dangerous one. The outcome was in no doubt & all decided to call it a day, & quite right too.
MP 2s had a sub & were well supported by MP 3s players (6 in total). Hannah Sloan & Charlotte Orrell played only their 2nd games for MP, a 2s debut for both. They slotted in seemlessly & played stormers (rather appropriately). Another great performance from Eilidh Waddell, a relative newby. Rachael Melvin GK today saved so many possible goals was rewarded with POD. Karen Woods a close 2nd with overall command, experienced head & calm demeanour. DOD went to Doc (Lisa Spencer) for the ‘my stick is a piece of spaghetti’ incident. However she was run close by Charlotte O taking one for the team for her green card for repeated (by everyone) stick tackles. Opposition POD went to captain Laura Van Hoof who troubled them in midfield with avengence. Umpire’s POD was Doc, the defence certainly had work to do today! She was assisted by Danni Podmore, Lesley Ginsburg & Julia Brown ( who saved a goal today-great job). Holly Hamilton & Lizzy Baker completed the lineup & all gave their very best-well done team!
Wigan saved the best bit for the end. They served us tea. Lasagne, garlic bread & new potatoes. Then to top it off Captain Fantastic appeared with homemade chocolate & jam sandwich cakes. The cream helped sooth our wounds.
On another positive note this was a cup game so the poor score line will not affect our league position.
So you either love hockey..... or you are just wrong-despite a hefty defeat AND a hailstorm.... we love on.
Come on the Moss!