Buxton Ladies 1s v Matlock 2s
Result: 2-0
Player of the match: Molly Wilson
On a brisk autumnal morning Buxton Ladies 1sts welcomed Matlock 2nds to Fortress Green Lane, arriving in plenty of time to set up the pitch and execute a precise warm up Buxton went for the victory from the very first whistle. Although Matlock also set out their stall man handling Ellie Higgins-Brown to the floor within the first minute, led by the ever-gallant Captain Nicole Roe, the home side played with swagger and flare passing the ball round with confidence and pace. Sam Armitage and Kirsten Moore linked on the right, Emily Bradbury and Emma Longden on the left playing intricate passes up the sidelines, leaving Matlock in their wake. Kirsty Dewberry leading the forward line creating havoc with her deft movements creating space for the wide forwards to exploit. Mid way through the first half Buxton’s superior play was rewarded, a strong run to the back line and cross from Karen Chetwood found the returning Hannah Collins who kept composure and slotted the ball passed the Matlock keeper to break the deadlock. As the half progressed, Matlock grew into the game but the defence held strong, Helen Szostakowicz commanding the D, solidly protecting the goal and distributing the ball out to the defence. The defensive unit held firm, player of the match Molly Wilson demonstrated her calming influence, hypnotising the opposition to run exactly where she wanted them, picking the ball off their stick time after time, and literally putting her body in the line of the ball. The half time whistle blew with Buxton holding onto their lead.
The second half began with Matlock pressuring the home side higher up the pitch, and as a reward won the first short corner of the game, the defence held strong, Sharon Sessions solid with the flat stick won the ball and cleared it wide. After sustained pressure from Matlock, where the Buxton keeper made outstanding saves including with her knee where there is no protection, Buxton worked hard to keep the clean sheet and control of the game. Lizzie Potts provided fresh legs, and together with Nicole Roe and Janelle Dexter-Lowe regained control of the midfield, with the latter two connecting for the second goal. Roe passed the ball into space for Dexter-Lowe to run onto, straight into the D, a strike from the top found the bottom left corner. The goal provided the cushion for Buxton to relax and get back to playing expansive hockey. The game finished 2-0 to Buxton. It was a great demonstration of team work, connections are forming in all areas of the pitch, the Buxton team literally put their bodies on the line to get the tackles in and keep the ball out of the net, but most pleasing of all was the display of working for each other, which sets good foundations for the rest of the season.
Two wins out of two means a great start to the 2018/19 season, but a tough test awaits next week away to the high flying Burton 2s.
MOM – Molly May
DOD – Freshest shirt wearing Nel Dexter-Lowe