Harwich & Dovercourt 1 v Carlton Park I 1

29/11/08

Park knew this would be a tough game as Harwich seem to be their bogey team. In very cold conditions the game was started and Park found it difficult to find the rhythm of the past few weeks. The defence of Kirsty Marshall, Wendy Corneby, Mel Rodwell and Kerry Whatling were kept extremely busy with Karen Fletcher having her busiest game of the season. Park found themselves pinned back in their defensive half and found it very difficult to get themselves out of it. Harwich were unlucky not to take the lead when a shot that was definitely goal bound was saved by Karen Fletcher and Park breathed a sigh of relief. Harwich were awarded a few penalty corners but again the defence stood strong and worked really hard in keeping the ball out of the net. Park then managed to clear the ball up field and then started to work on passing the ball. The midfield was made to work hard with Tori Walton, Justine Howe and Roo Mackie having to defend deep as well as push up with the attackers. Some good work down the right hand side then gave Park the opening goal. A good cross by Vicky Le Fanu found Denise Manning whose reverse stick tap in pushed the ball over the line. Park then scored a second goal when Lynn Whittingstall’s shot beat the keeper but the goal was disallowed (not quite sure what for!). Park kept up the pressure and was awarded a few penalty corners but the Harwich defence were quick out and cleared the ball well. Lynn Whittingstall then scored another goal but again this was disallowed for hitting the foot of Sarah Whatling when in fact it hit the foot of the defender. Park went into the break a goal to the good.

In the second half Park again kept up the pressure that they put on Harwich in the latter part of the first half. Harwich then had to make a substitution when a player got injured when a ball lifted into her knee. Park was then unlucky to double their lead when an excellent strike on goal from Sarah Whatling was brilliantly saved by the goalie’s stick. Then Park should have been awarded a penalty stroke when the ball was stopped on the line by the defenders foot. Unfortunately neither umpire saw the infringement and a 16 yard hit was awarded to Harwich. Park was then forced to make a substitution when Denise Manning had to go off with a facial injury. Park kept up the pressure but Harwich were also keen to find an equaliser. The defence again worked hard clearing the ball well from the back. Harwich then seemed to be playing with more belief than Park and finally got the equaliser that they were looking for. A cross from the right took a deflection off a defenders stick and went into the back of the goal. Harwich were unlucky not to take the lead when a break down the pitch saw Karen Fletcher have to advance towards the striker which was enough to put her off and her finish was the wrong side of the post. Park could easily have lost this game but again they defended extremely well and it was only through sheer determination in defence and some excellent saves in goal by Karen Fletcher that Park came away with a well deserved point.

Park finishes the first half of the season firmly at the top of the league with at least a four point gap between them and their nearest rivals.

Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year to all our readers.

Squad: Karen Fletcher, Mel Rodwell, Kirsty Marshall, Wendy Corneby, Kerry Whatling, Tori Walton, Justine Howe, Roo Mackie, Lynn Whittinstall, Sarah Whatling, Vicky Le Fanu, Denise Manning

Report by Denise Manning.