Result: won 7-1

On a cool, windy evening the Hotshots were the first SHC team to kick off the ‘21 summer league season.  With a large squad of keen players we were able to field a strong side of 15 . This was reduced to 13 when Ellie H had to work late and Lynn got stuck in traffic .  The game started brightly with the Hotshots straight into the attack and within a few minutes Caitlin H-C had found herself one-on-one with the Keeper, dribbling around on the forehand side and slotting neatly into the goal. 

 Our attack maintained the pressure stretching the opposition defence and within minutes had secured a penalty stroke due to a dangerous tackle. Ella D stepped up but put the ball just wide of the post. WH now began to recover their composure and with a few strong substitutions were able to make some attacks down both flanks but stout defence from a strong backline kept them out.  Defence and midfield combined well to set up a number of counter attacks and were eventually rewarded with a second goal.  TBH I can’t remember who scored next – it may have been Caitlin with a carbon copy of her previous goal but this time on the reverse stick.  With continued pressure Ella D  controlled a bouncy mis-hit to score from the top left of the D and we went into halftime 3-0 up. (I think!)

At the start of the second half we continued where we left off with Hotshots securing a number of short corners and Caitlin getting her hat-trick.  At this point Hotshots were cruising but an attack down their left created an opportunity for WH and an unusual missed tackle in the D resulted in the ball hitting the right hand post and bouncing behind our stranded keeper.  This seemed to galvanise the Hotshots and over the next 20 minutes we began putting away our chances scoring another 3 goals in quick succession.  A well-executed series of moves between midfield and defence ended with quick passes between Jo P , Megan  and Ella who finished with an excellent move  beating 2 players and clipping it neatly into the left corner.

Lottie R now got in on the action with 2 quick goals – the first a deflection from a short corner and the second a well-taken chance in the D. 

Stung by the quick succession of goals WH put on their strongest subs and made a final surge but our defence and mids were up to the challenge successfully repelling  all attacks and we finished without conceding any short corners during the game.  

This was a great start for a team who had never played together before though the scoreline belies the strength of the opposition and is a credit to how well the team played for each other.   Aside from our excellent forward line with 7 goals between them. Jenny and Kathy H controlled everything at the back with VC Zoe competently marshalling the midfield who ran tirelessly throughout the match.

Next up WH 2.