The ladies 2s travelled to Burnt Ash on Saturday knowing anything less than a point would see them relegat-ed at the end of the day. Ops started the game brightly, popping the ball in and out of pockets to create space to attack down the wide channels through Isla Gallagher, Evie Little & Bea Allison. Ops had a series of short corner early in the first half but good goalkeeping kept them at bay. Burnt Ash stepped up their press midway through first half, putting the Ops defence under pressure but it was nothing the experienced until couldn’t deal with. The Ash pressure eventually paid off when a turnover in midfield led to a breakaway and a crisp finish to put Ash 1-0. Ops knew they now really were under pressure but would not give up and let themselves fall further behind. Captain Adrienne Rowe, supported by Allegra Hopkinson, was tireless in mid-field, leading by example to both create attacking opportunities and track back to help bolster the defensive unit. The Ops defensive unit of Katy Benson, Laurel Fry, Hannah Carrington & Emily Hamlyn stood firm under intense Ash pressure as they looked to extend their lead, putting in tackle after important tackle to steal the ball back for the Ops throughout the game. Defensive relief came from Erin Fuller and Emily MacMillan who played the perfect team player roles when they came on to support the backline Keeper Amy Bumstead was called on in both halves to make important saves from strong strikes, short corner drag flicks and one-on-one breakaways.

While Ops were giving one of their best performances of the season, counter attacking the intense Ash press fantastically by moving the ball with speed and urgency, they were unable to find the goal they needed. With the game edging towards it’s conclusion Ops made a tactical switch, sacrificing one of their defenders for another attack to go after an equalising goal. The switch paid off moments later when Demi Broome turned the ball over high up the pitch she released Emily Allon who attacked the D and won a short corner for the Ops. This was it for Ops, it seemed like it was now or never. A pacey injection from was stopped cleanly to allow Rowe and Allon to combine to put in the first strike which was saved. A scramble ensued to keep the ball in Ops possession with both Hopkinson & Gallagher trying to force the ball home but it was Maddie Timmins that pounced quickest to pick up the loose ball and calmly lift it over the grounded Ash keeper, letting Ops breathe a half sigh of relief. Five minutes left and everything to play for for the Ops. The team pulled together, there was no way they were letting this get away from them and get away from them it didn’t with the game finishing 1-1. All 15 players played their part in a game that needed a full squad per-formance from start to finish and could walk off the pitch knowing they’d given everything they could.

Ops were then reliant on their own 1st XI beating fellow relegation battlers Old Williamsonians by at least 3 goals to ensure they stayed up on goal differences. Thankfully the 1s came through with a 5-0 win to help ensure the 2s place in South East division 1 for next season.