On a crisp autumn morning, Yateley Hockey Club Ladies 3s arrived at Cantley Park full of energy and ready to take on South Berkshire 5s. However, it was South Berkshire who came out of the gates with intent, putting early pressure on the Yateley defence. Despite their dominance, they struggled to break the deadlock until the umpires awarded a short corner. South Berkshire capitalized on the opportunity, slotting the ball in to take a 1-0 lead.

Despite the setback, the Yateley defence held firm, with Nicki, Carole, and Flippa standing strong and ensuring the South Berks forwards were kept at bay. In the first half, Yateley were perhaps lacking a little hunger for the ball, but a solid halftime talk, led by Helen with valuable input from the team and support from Pete Mitchell, made all the difference.

The second half saw a much more energized and determined Yateley side. Players were more proactive in meeting the ball and putting pressure on South Berkshire when out of possession. The press, led by Caroline, Hannah, and Ellen in the front row, along with Niamh, Rosie, and Charlotte in the second, created several opportunities for the Yateley attack. The breakthrough came when Lyss made a fantastic run into the D, and Caroline was perfectly positioned to score, bringing the game level at 1-1. Despite more chances for both teams, the match ended in a draw.

Man of the Match:
A well-deserved Rachel, who had an outstanding game, was named Man of the Match for her tireless work and excellent contributions throughout.

Next Match:
Saturday 23rd, Home at 12:00pm against Harlow High Wycombe.
Yateley Ladies 3s will be looking to carry the momentum from this strong second-half performance into their next fixture.