11/10/14: Due to illness, injury and unavailability of key players, Mendip struggled to field their usual side in this match away to Nailsea. For some, it was the first time playing hockey at this level but the Mendip players stepped up to the challenge showing great determination and commitment and did not let their heads drop despite a half time score line of 7 – 0.
The first half is one that Mendip will perhaps want to forget as the hosts forged ahead. They were allowed the space to play, dominated possession and Mendip found themselves constantly chasing the game.
With the key messages of the half time team talk of keep possession, pass and move, be first to the ball and mark your player ringing in their ears and hugely improved Mendip 2nd half performance ensued. Goal keeper Jenny Dallimore pulled off some point blank saves to prevent the gaps between the teams widening further. Midfielders Grace Harding and Connie Glover were full of running in midfield providing a vital link between the backs and forwards.
Left wing Ella Sage made probing runs in attack which stretched the Nailsea defence. One such effort was rewarded with a superb solo goal when she coolly slotted past the keeper after her initial strike had been saved. This confidence boosting goal came quite early in the 2nd half and Mendip continued to play with much more self-belief which showed in particular through the performances of young defenders Izzy Morgan and India Sage.
Mendip had much more of the attacking play and from a well worked short corner routine, Esther Selway found the back of the net with a cracking first time shot. Nailsea did sandwich one further goal in between Mendip’s two in the 2nd half bringing the final score to 8 : 2. The positives to take from this match for Mendip must be their 2nd half team performance and how they fought back to win that half. Well deserved, player of the match award went to Ella Sage for her brilliant running and goal scoring.
Next week Mendip play host to North Somerset at Norton Hill School, 13.30hrs start.
Karen Inns
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