Carlton Park I 1 v Haverhill I 1

29/03/08

With three key players away on vacation, Park drafted in strong substitutes to their squad - Kathy Gardens and Maria Adlam. Although Haverhill had already clinched the league title Park were hoping for a good performance to end their season. It was important that Park got their tackles in early and outside the ‘d’ to stop Haverhill gaining any penalty corners which we knew won them games. Park started off well and distributed the ball excellently from side to side. Roo Mackie playing in centre midfield played a stormer supported well by Mercedes Buckle playing at centre back. The defence of Georgie Coulson, Kirsty Marshall and Mel Rodwell worked well together and were solid at the back. Park played the most attractive hockey of the two sides and their passes were effective and accurate. They pushed forward up the pitch and were awarded a penalty corner but unfortunately couldn’t break down the visitors defence to take the lead. Kathy Gardens playing in left midfield settled in and linked up well with Mel Rodwell on the left side of defence. Park’s constant pressure at the visitor’s defence made them panic but Park kept their patience and were awarded with the opening goal. Georgie Coulson’s well taken free hit deep into Park’s attacking half found Denise Manning who turned and slotted home out of the goalkeepers reach. They could have added a second shortly afterwards when Sarah Whatling connected, and her thunderous shot went wide of the right hand post. Park’s game plan was working and the defence worked hard to get their tackles in before the attackers ventured into the ‘d’. Eventually the visitors had the breakthrough and were awarded a penalty corner. Mercedes Buckle ran out well and got the tackle in only for the ball to be cleared and deemed high by Karen Fletcher in goal. From the re-take the shot was taken and deflected in off the left hand post.

In the second half Park looked the stronger side and still played the better hockey. They put the visitor’s defence under constant pressure and Mel Rodwell was unlucky to score when she was well placed on the left post but just as the ball came to her the umpire awarded a penalty corner as he deemed that there was no advantage. From the penalty corner Sarah Whatling’s shot was deflected off the line for a long corner. Justine Howe was unlucky to add her name to the score sheet when the ball found her unmarked on the right post only for it to touch her foot. Haverhill cleared the ball well from their hit outs and were unlucky to get any reward when a good break by them was well tracked by the Park’s defence and a last minute precise tackle from Mel Rodwell eluded the striker a shot on goal. With the game being very end to end Park worked their socks off with every player giving their all. Roo Mackie distributed the ball well and often found Vicky Le Fanu who was in good position on the right wing. She carried the ball up to the line and her cross in was intercepted again by the visitor’s defence. Sarah Whatling also crossed an excellent ball only for it to be out of the reach of the outstretched Denise Manning. With the Haverhill midfield players becoming very frustrated Park defended well and held onto the draw.

Congratulations to Sarah Whatling who achieved the highest scorer in the Premier League this season. Well done Sarah.

Squad: Karen Fletcher, Georgie Coulson, Kirsty Marshall, Mel Rodwell, Mercedes Buckle, Justine Howe, Roo Mackie, Kathy Gardens, Maria Adlam, Vicky Le Fanu, Sarah Whatling, Denise Manning

Report by Denise Manning.