For the first time in club history the ladies 1st & 2nd XI are in the same league and faced off against each oth-er on Saturday. Both squads were aware of the strangeness of the situation but both approached the game with professionalism, putting aside the bigger squad dynamic to go for the win for their teams.
The game started at an intense pace but it was the 1s who went ahead early through Meg Scott’s deflected short corner routine. While the 1s had the majority of the attacking play the 2s defended valiantly to keep them out and leave the score at 1-0 at half time.
With instructions delivered to both teams by their respective coaches at half time the game re-started at the same intensity. The 1s came out pressing hard for a second goal while the 2s came to try and find a goal to get them back on level terms. Unfortunately opportunities were scarce for the 2s and the pressure from the 1s paid off when they doubled their lead through a Steph Mill flick at another short corner. The 1s won a series of short corners but the 2s defence held strong to keep them out. The 1s continued to press forward but further goals looked unlikely until Ash Ortega slipped one in at the near post in the final moments.
A good victory for the 1s to push them up the table and a good performance from the 2s that they hope to take in to the rest of the season. A unique experience for all involved with the squad looking forward to join-ing up together again until they have to play each other again in January.