Ladies 2nd XI Vs ISCA5

Okehampton 2nds v ISCA 5
Final score 2-2

This was the last league game of the season. The game started with good attacking possession from Okehampton 2nds. Debbie Pritchard and Molly Marvin holding form in midfield feeding the ball out to wingers Emma wiseman and Zoe Curtis, each pushing forward into the circle so that attacking forwards Viv Weatherington and Alex Collins had every opportunity to score. ISCA's defence were not relinquishing control in their circle preventing the forwards getting anywhere near the goal. But the home team dug deep, forcing the ISCA defence wide. Annabel Rademaker got control of the ball slipping it to the open stick of Alex Collins, she wasted no time striking a hard shot at goal. It was a success and Okehampton took an early lead. 

The rest of the first half saw strong play from both teams. ISCA, 2nd in the league had their eyes on promotion and were not about to relinquish their success. They kept the home team busy. Defence players Anna Luxton, Sandra Douglas and Rachel Adams had to fight hard together to match the mass of attacking ISCA players. A couple of short corners were awarded to ISCA due to offences committed by Okehampton players in the circle but Alice Wiseman, the goalie made sure the ball stayed clear of the goal line. 

Play was fast and furious at times with the ball moving quickly from end to end. Molly Marvin, player of the match, never gave up, preventing the visitors having possession of the ball in mid field. Her quick sharp stick skills left ISCA standing still while she made many useful sprints up the pitch feeding the ball back into the circle. Viv Weatherington, got herself free of the defence, received the ball from Marvin and drove the ball between the goalies feet. The home team were two nil up by half time leaving ISCA stunned.

The second half started just like the first, fast paced play from all players. But ISCA having beaten the home side 5-1 before Christmas were not going to let a win out of their sight. They put the home defence under a lot of pressure and when the midfielders Pritchard and Marvin did clear the ball forward, Annabel Rademaker, Emma Wiseman and Zoe Curtis were forced to put pace on their passing to keep ISCA out of play.

The fast pace stretched the stamina and fitness of both teams and it wasn't long before ISCA found a gap in defence and took the score to 2-1. A misjudged attack on a strike at goal found goalie Alice Wiseman defending a penalty flick but ISCA completely missed the goal mouth. The score remained 2-1. Alex Collins, Viv Weatherington and Lucy Wiseman found themselves  fighting hard to bring the score to 3-1 but it wasn't to be. By the time the final whistle had blown ISCA had piled on the pressure. They struck the ball from the top of the circle and despite desperate attempts by Sandy Douglas and Rachel Adams to stop the ball, it clipped both their sticks, deflected and found its way to the back of the net. Both teams displayed their best hockey skills in a friendly but competitive final league game with Okehampton ladies 2nds finishing mid table. 

Report by Sandra Douglas