St Austell Ladies Vs Plymouth Uni 2

Saints began the new year facing top of the table Plymouth University. Uni have been defiant in their league campaign this season making it through the first part of the season without a loss.

Saints started with possession and proved to Uni that they weren’t going to make it an easy match. Lucie Oakley stepped up to Centre Forward as striker Charlotte Jarman is away, snubbing the January blues, soaking up some winter sun. Without change in midfield their strong played continued. Miranda Ball played some great balls out wide for Laura Tregunna to channel down the width with Yasmin Emily there to support and make her way into the top of the circle. Uni played heavily down the right hand side, leaving Susie James battling hard to keep them from making too much ground; she made some strong tackles, her speed helping her track back to anyone that slipped through. 

Lindsay Allen picked up an injury in the first few minutes, which saw her having to take to the sideline for a few minutes. Zeta Penrose - making her return to Saints and her first game back had to step up earlier than expected. Uni picked up and were beginning to apply constant pressure. Some great clearances from Penrose, strong defending from Jenny Carter and quick reactions from Debbie James kept Uni from getting on the score sheet. As always, Roxanne King stood firm in her goal and made some great saves from a skilled forward line. Uni changed their tactics and this saw them awarded a number of short corners. Saints fought brilliantly but in the end Uni were rewarded with a lucky goal. 

However, Saints’ heads didn’t drop; a number of runs came from Barrott and Tregunna. Chloe Tyrrell sent a brilliant ball into Tregunna who sent it wide, with Oakley’s shot being saved.

Half time 1-0.

Saints regrouped at half time and came out strong. Tregunna, intercepting a Uni ball, found herself gaining ground towards the circle. Barrott alongside, received the ball at the top of the circle, she had time to take a shot and this time Beth Horwell was placed perfectly on post - there to pop it past Uni’s keeper. Saints’ spirits were lifted and they worked hard to keep the pressure on - Sophie Millington putting in a fight to keep Saints in possession of the ball; Allen, after some sideline physio, was back on the pitch and alongside Penrose and James were denying Uni of a higher score line. King kept her composure in goal when at times, she was flooded with shots from an organised Uni who continually fought back. Constant fresh legs and a young side from the opposition, found them taking control of a tiring Saints team. This found them rewarded with a second goal, later followed by a 3rd near the end of the match, when a Uni player found herself unmarked in the circle. 

A hard fought game with some great pieces of hockey from Saints and although Uni took the deserved win, it wasn’t made easy for them.

Team: Roxanne King, Jenny Carter, Zeta Penrose, Lindsay Allen, Debbie James (C), Susie James, Miranda Ball, Laura Tregunna, Yasmin Barrott, Susie James, Sophie Millington, Chloe Tyrrell, Lucie Oakley, Beth Horwell.

Goals: Beth Horwell

 MOM: Roxanne King