City of Manchester 1 vs Didsbury Greys 2

Greys had an encouraging team talk looking to halt a free goal scoring COM side, and set out to be more defensive than in previous weeks.
From the opening minute Greys showed their intent to disrupt todays home side easy eye flowing hockey, closing down players, applying pressure across the width of the pitch, putting in well-timed tackles and preventing any clear strikes on goal, with a great determined team-work rate ethic.

With Greys getting stuck in, not giving COM anytime, The 2s started to frustrate the league leaders.

It took until half way through the 1st half for COM to score from a well worked short corner with Mandy Pickersgill eventually bundling the ball in on the post.

With a big defensive effort, Greys also played some great hockey with lots of good link up play in midfield and down the wings moving the ball around with crisp short passes advancing up field.

As Greys held their own matching COM player for player, the purples advanced up field- keeping possession, playing quick hockey in the middle third taking the battle to COM, with the Yellow and Greens becoming more annoyed.

Greys counter-attacked on numerous occasions with the best chance coming from Ally who got on the end of a ball from midfield on the right had side only for their keeper to close down the angle at the top of the D – she gathered the rebound off the keepers pads for the reverse attempt going just wide and inches from the end of Emma’s stick.

As Greys showed their attacking intent and not just wanting to sit back, Greys broke again on the right skipping past COM’s left back and crossing into the D with Greys unable to get on the end of the ball.

With the Purples continuing to press, the 2s Won a short corner with Jade’s top D shot narrowly going wide with Charlie Brown just unable to get a deflection on the post.

Just as Greys where seeing out the 1st half, COM hit a hopefully ball from deep in their own half reaching one of their forwards who rounded the last defender and slotted the ball into the net to double their lead on the stroke of half-time.
With COM fortunate to go in 2 ahead at half time, Greys had played some of their best hockey of the season with the team feeling it was an underserved lead.

The start of the 2nd half saw COM dominating play from the off, and despite some very strong defending from Greys back 4, COM won numerous short corners, with their set play becoming the undoing of a spirited Greys side. A swift couple of goals both from well-worked short corners with the ball being played in the D before the numerical advantage showed swiftly scoring.

With the score at 4-0 Stonier made some great saves, COM were playing the percentage hockey, and Greys continuing to work hard across the pitch, pressing hard.
Defending deep once more not wanting to concede, Greys played on the counter attack when the opportunity presented itself, with some good link up play however not finding that final ball and goal they richly deserved.

COMs fifth and final goal came from some great work down the right and was tapped in on the far post.

The 2s will take much encouragement going into their final match this side of Christmas especially from their 1st half performance, and will look to overturn an earlier season 1-0 defeat to Moss Park at St Bedes on Saturday.

Result: COM 1s 5-0 Greys 2s (2-0 HT)

Man Of Match: Pearson
Donkey: Ally