Carlton Park I 4 v Christchurch I 0

22/11/08

On a very bitterly cold morning with a slight dusting of snow on the pitch it was decided that the game would go ahead as the pitch wasn’t frozen and the snow was quickly disappearing. Park knew they had to play well against Christchurch, their nearest challengers in the league. Park started off very positively and were quick to close down the opposition. The first part of the game was played very much in midfield with both teams passing the ball well and pushing up on the break. Park were awarded a number of penalty corners but the visitors defended well on these and denied Park the opening they were looking for. But Park persevered and found the opening goal when Mel Rodwell superbly controlled the ball and her strike convincingly beat the keeper. This was just the opening that Park needed and they continued to keep up the pressure. The ball was moved from left to right with the defence of Mel Rodwell, Kirsty Marshall and Mercedes Buckle clearing the ball well from the back. Emma Tuckwell and Tory Walton worked hard in midfield both linking up well with the attacking forwards. Park were unlucky not to go two up when an excellent pass down the right found Sarah Whatling and her pin point pass was connected by Denise Manning whose touch glided off the outside of the goalpost. But Park soon found their second goal when some excellent stick work by Tory Walton saw her lay the ball off for Denise Manning to slot home past the stranded keeper.

In the second half Park needed to keep their composure and play to the same standard and commitment as the first half. Again they were unlucky not to score from a well worked penalty corner when the ball was fed out short but the shot deflected off the goalpost and Justine Howe running in failed to get the last touch needed to deflect the ball into the net. Park’s long corners worked well with Emma Tuckwell, Mercedes Buckle and Kerry Whatling running through into the space and feeding the ball into the ‘d’. Park added their third goal from a penalty corner with Sarah Whatling scoring with a straight strike on goal. Although the visitors did manage to push up field the home side’s defence worked extremely hard to keep the ball from finding the net. Karen Fletcher was hardly troubled in goal with her having to produce only a couple of saves throughout the whole match. Park’s final goal came when again Tori Walton’s skilful stick work caused problems and having rounded her defender her shot on goal was unstoppable. Another excellent team performance in very cold and wintry conditions.

Squad: Karen Fletcher, Kirsty Marshall, Mercedes Buckle, Mel Rodwell, Kerry Whatling, Justine Howe, Emma Tuckwell, Roo Mackie, Tori Walton, Vicky Le Fanu, Sarah Whatling, Denise Manning

Report by Denise Manning.