Match Report – 04/02/2023: Leatherhead Ladies I – 7 Aldershot & Farnham - 1
South East Region: Oaks League – Division 2

Ladies Return To Winning Form

After some frustrating matches since the Christmas break, Leatherhead Ladies 1st XI returned to winning form last Saturday with an emphatic home victory over Aldershot & Farnham.

The hosts made a positive start pushing forward from the whistle and from their first meaningful attack earned a penalty corner. Receiving at the top of the D, Megan Smith played a slick one-two with Katie Tindall before guiding the ball through the crowded D and placing it beyond the keeper’s reach, to put Leatherhead 1-0 up inside two minutes.

Leatherhead continued their high press giving Aldershot little time on the ball. Smith doubled the hosts’ lead after ten minutes, again from a short corner routine, but this time taking the direct route with a powerful strike that rattled the backboard. Aldershot were un-phased and worked their way into the contest, building possession and limiting Leatherhead’s opportunities. The visitors made their own chances but were thwarted by Leatherhead’s backline and a fine reaction-save from Emma Warren-Brown in goal.

Leatherhead continued pressing forward, building their attack from the back, and showing strength and creativity in midfield as they sought to add to their tally. Five minutes before the break their persistence was rewarded. Driving the ball into the D, Hannah Baker released a timely pass to Steph Woodman in front of goal. Woodman’s initial strike was blocked by the keeper but alert for the rebound, Woodman made no mistake in tucking the ball away to give Leatherhead a 3-0 lead.

In a busy end to the half, two minutes later Leatherhead made it 4-0. Hannah Baker again providing an assist threaded the ball through to Liz Carleton at the top of the D. Carleton dribbled around the advancing defender before making a deft strike that defeated the outstretched keeper. Aldershot showed spirit as they pushed forward from the re-start to make an immediate reply, pulling one back from a well-worked corner routine, as the first half ended, 4-1.

The visitors started the second half strongly picking up where they left off. Threatening through a series of short corners they were unable to covert as Sophie Dudgeon, Megan Smith, Charlotte Duncan and Liz Aeissame in Leatherhead’s backline calmly cleared the danger and rebuilt the hosts’ attack. Twelve minutes into the half, Leatherhead added to their tally as Suz Rigby and Carleton exchanged passes to move into the D. Carleton’s strike-turned-cross found Katie Tindall in space on the far side of the D who rifled the ball goal-bound via a deflection to extend Leatherhead’s advantage to 5-1. Woodman, Duncan, Baker and Heather Kincaid worked diligently in midfield to intercept and disrupt Aldershot’s possession, maintain the host’s high tempo and provide a pivotal link between front and back lines. With eleven minutes left on the clock, Leatherhead extended their lead to 6-1 with Woodman, Baker and Tindall applying pressure and contesting a goal-mouth scramble. Baker claimed the final touch, forcing the ball across the congested goal-line.

Aldershot were not giving up and continued to test Leatherhead with their swift counter-attacks and battled for every ball. With three minutes left to play, Leatherhead completed their tally with Hannah Baker slipping the ball to Suz Rigby at close range, who wasted no time in slotting it across the line, to put Leatherhead 7-1 up. In the closing moments, Leatherhead continued to look for more and credit to Aldershot’s keeper who persistently blocked shots and kicked the ball clear. At the final whistle, Leatherhead bagged the maximum league points to maintain their mid-table position. Satisfied with a comprehensive 7-1 result, Leatherhead can take pride in their team performance and will hope to carry this forward as they visit Reigate next Saturday.

New players are welcome at Leatherhead Hockey Club. The adult section caters for all ages 14+ and playing ability, with training each Tuesday from 8pm-9.30pm at Therfield School, and matches on Saturdays. If you’re interested in playing hockey or want to find out more, please visit our website at www.leatherheadhockeyclub.co.uk or get in touch via info@leatherheadhockeyclub.co.uk