Goals galore on the road

Having finally got warm after yesterday's L1 game down at cold, wet, rainy Minehead, here's the coach's report.

With a few of the 1st team squad unable to spend a day down by Butlins Somerwest World, a gallant band of 12 ladies especially selected by skipper Claire Louise Hooper, managed to find somewhere dry for their pitchside kit, then gleefully (?) warmed up. The rain persisted as they pushed back and found themselves 0-1 down almost immediately after failing to clear firmly enough from a penalty corner. North then retaliated with a PC of their own almost immediately and Michelle Harrold drove the ball home for 1-1. New signing Taylor Kingscott then popped in an open play goal for 2-1 before another Minehead PC crept in at the near post for 2-2. Bear in mind we were only 10 minutes into the match, this was looking like a goalfest.

With Minehead looking continually dangerous from their skilful forwards, North's defence rode their luck, but North's midfield was starting to gain control with the shorter passes making the ball do the work. Michelle Harrold plundered another goal before Jo Saunders found herself unmarked at the far post and plenty of time to put it past the keeper - luckily, she did just that (phew).

Half time chat was happier for that 4-2 score line even though the team was nicely shivering and hands were a shade of blue.

The approach of North in the second half was great in that the defence were finding the midfield who were finding the forwards - all with short passes to people making themselves available. Minehead were hardly getting a look in, but shipped another goal to hat-trick girl Michelle Harrold, then Lara Ford finally plundered one herself to make it 6-2. North's final goal was a super move of first time passing down the left, finished off by Jo Saunders. Minehead grabbed a goal in the final seconds courtesy of a ball flying in off the hand of Rachel Wright.

Great 7-3 win to get the team back up the table and happy again after playing nicer, more effective hockey than over the past few weeks. Massive effort by all in trying conditions - happy coach.

MAN was Charlotte for her tireless attacks down the right wing (narrowly beating new girl Taylor Kingscott to the title by a coach's deciding vote)
WAN was Katie Elliott (see below)
GREEN CARD - Lara Ford
Special mention t Claire Wezztgate who decided to temporarily dislocate her kneecap, but okay enough to walk to a dugout to get warmer. This led to Michelle Harrold moving to sweeper and Wallis Jozefowicz going to a forward position after a great stint in midfield.
May I suggest that the following items be added to the team's Christmas present lists?
Claire Wezztgate - new knee
Cadie Dunn, Claire Louise Hooper, Jo Saunders - astro shoes with studs on (to avoid continual time on your backside at inconvenient times)
Rachel Wright - padded gloves
Katie Elliott - whatever (small) item of clothing she was not wearing that caused her to get WAN.

Righty Ho; Taw Valley at Fortress Gordano next week for last league game before Christmas. See you at training.