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Whitchurch Saints 2s v Haverfordwest Match Report

14th February 2015

A depleted Whitchurch Saints side set off on their road trip west for the top off the table clash

against Haverfordwest.

Brighter weather out west did nothing to help the Saints as Haverfordwest, with their speedy front

four, capitalised on the Saints sluggish start. They pressed hard from the outset and played some

slick one touch hockey putting 3 goals away within the first 10 minutes, leaving the Saints defence

on the back foot. Emily Williams having to go off injured in the first 5 minutes didn’t help matters as

the away side were then down to 11 players.

The Saints began to settle down and return the pressure with some well worked play up the left

wing by Jude Livesey, Noelle Cramp and ‘Cappy’ Smaill. However another break from the Home

forwards put them in a 4-0 lead. Whitchurch replied by winning a few penalty corners with ‘Cappy’

Smaill converting one with a slick deflection into the back of Haverfordwests’ net. The match

became end to end with both goalkeepers being put under pressure. Unfortunately a forward

overload let the home side go into half-time with a 5-1 lead.

The Saints had a change of plan and positions and hit the ground running in the second half, pressing

the home team into the defensive half. Haverfordwest were getting rattled, which showed when

the umpire gave a short from outside the ‘D’ when the Saints Gemma Parry-Williams was elbowed

off the ball. 5 minutes later she was taken to the floor again by an overenthusiastic midfielder

resulting in her getting a ball square in the temple. Luckily plucky Gemma was not badly injured and

fought on with the Saints refusing to give in. Saints goalie Meg Blake then pulled off some amazing

saves, earning her Man of the Match, to keep the second half score at 0-0.