St Austell Ladies Vs CSM1

The ladies were back on their new home turf in Truro this week, where they hosted CSM for the first time. Another debut this weekend, Nikita Williams putting the pads on in goal 

Both teams were after their first win of the season and CSM were fierce in their approach. With St Austell a different team compared to their first couple of fixtures and starting to adapt to this new standard of hockey, they were un-phased and settled into their own play. Saints took control of the play, driving forward from the midfield and in onto the forwards. 

Saints’ efforts saw them awarded a short corner; Yasmin Barrott’s injection found Charlotte Jarman at the top of the circle but the slip back to Barrott found her under pressure and a pass onto Laura Tregunna was slipped into Kellie Williams, who cleared the keeper from the post. 

Minutes later St Austell were back on the attack - their momentum causing havoc for CSMs defence. A second short corner awarded; this time Barrott found Lucie Oakley at the top of the D, who slipped it to Jarman and her fierce strike had that much pace, it clattered through the defences’ sticks to hit the back board, securing St Austell a comfortable 2-0 cushion. 

The continuous interceptions and forward drives from St Austell found CSM on the back foot once more - 3 minutes later the next short corner was awarded. Barrott’s injection met Oakley once more, who slipped it out right to Tregunna; faced with several defenders she took it towards the baseline and found the perfect angle, clearing the defence and the keeper, to smash the ball cleanly into the bottom corner. 

The pressure continued from the ladies; the forward line, including Holly Bunt and Millie Bray, working tirelessly throughout the first half, picking up the long balls and taking the game to the opposition. A Saints green card saw them without Mandy Bevins, but the ladies held well and kept the lead.

Half time 3-0.

Saints expected CSM to push hard in the second half. St Austell’s threats continued but the counter attacks were now just as strong. Nikita Williams, making her debut in goal for the Saints, held her line well and found herself making a number of strong open field clearances. Saints kept their composure for the first half of the second half, but after 22 minutes a CSM striker secured their first off of a short corner. Miranda Ball worked hard supporting the defence and midfield, creating play out wide, making those crucial tackles to break up CSM’s momentum. 

Saints’ defence worked well together at the back; Maisie Moule making some strong runs on the right hand side, continuously slowing down the attacks. Mandy Bevins held solid in her position, preventing any strikes at the top of the circle and CSM had to think creatively with their short corners being denied from conversion, with Debbie James’ determined runs and strong tackles. 

Late in the second half, a St Austell hit out was intercepted by CSM and the Saints were punished when CSM scored a second. 

With the final minutes closing in, the pressure was on to the keep the lead. Amanda Crowle came on to support the forward line, getting into some threatening spaces and un-nerving the CSM defence. Both teams were down to 10 players for the last 5. Jarman watching from the sideline, followed soon after by a CSM player yellow cards. 

The ladies held their nerve and the final whistle blew on a 3-2 scoreline. A well deserved win for St Austell who have worked hard to improve week by week. 

MOM: Maisie Moule 

Goals: Kellie Williams
                  Charlotte Jarman
                  Laura Tregunna

Team: Nikita Williams, Debbie James, Mandy Bevins, Maisie Moule, Miranda Ball, Yasmin Barrott, Lucie Oakley, Laura Tregunna, Charlotte Jarman, Holly Bunt, Millie Bray, Amanda Crowle, Kellie Williams