The ladies 1st and 2nd XI’s met in their anticipated league clash on Saturday with both teams eager to put on a show for the gathered crowd. With the 1s sitting top of the league & going for promotion the 2s knew they were in for a challenge, but one that they were completely up for. So much so that it was the 2s that had the first chances of the day with Emily Hamlyn winning a short corner. While the first strike was saved the 2s kept the ball and live and found Laurel Fry on the edge of the D who fired the ball home much to the elation of the side. The early upset however only spurred the 1s on who employed a high forward press to pin the 2s back into their defensive end. While the 1s dominated in attacking possession, the 2s defence held strong until midway through the half when Izzy Prout pounced on a loose ball to pull the 1s back level. As the half ticked on the 1s continued their assault on the 2s goal but were denied by well timed tackles, strong saves and a clearance off the line. The pressure however soon paid off when a probing ball into the D and a mo-mentary lapse in defensive marking gave Ash Taylor the opportunity to put the 1s 2-1 up going in to half time.

With both teams given their instructions from their stand-in coaches at half time the game continued at the same pace and intensity. The 2s once again created the earlier of the chances but were kept at bay by the experienced and steadfast 1s defence. As the 1s again upped their attacking pressure a breakaway down the left wing saw a powerful cross evade everyone in the D with the exception of Becky Bird who was flying in at the back post to get the 1s 3rd. Neither side took their foot off the gas with the 2s winning a series of short corners and the 1s movement continuing to cause chaos. With the seconds ticking down the 1s won a short corner right on full time and while the initial strike was stopped, Australian debutant Layla Riley, freshly arrived that morning from Canberra, was on hand to pick up the loose ball to slot home for her first Folke-stone goal.

This was a hard fought game played in a fantastic spirit by a group of players that know each others strengths and weaknesses inside and out. With the 1s sitting clear at the top, both sides hope that they won’t have to play each other game any time soon!