Match Report: Longridge 2nds Vs Blackpool 1st
November 11th, 2008
Longridge 2nds: 1 Blackpool 1st: 2
A double pitch booking at Bispham College meant that the Blackpool 1sts fixture against Longridge 2nds had to be played as a shortened game. Unfortunately, in the first half it was Blackpool who took the advantage and made Longridge chase the ball. On a number of occasions, Blackpool exposed weaknesses in the Longridge game, requiring goalkeeper, Anna Grant, to come to Longridge’s rescue to keep them in the game.
It was inevitable however that 2 attackers left to run at the Longridge keeper would result in a goal, and Blackpool were able to take an early lead.
Longridge did begin to fight their way back into the game towards the end of the first half, but found themselves 2-0 down at half time, having conceded a successfully converted short corner.
The team talk identified a tactical change. Kate Oliver moved to centre defence to help strengthen the back line and Anna Sutcliffe moved to left midfield to support the forwards. These changes proved successful and Longridge began to stretch the Blackpool defence.
With the end of the match approaching, Longridge really started to take the game to Blackpool. The goal for Longridge eventually came from a long ball played up the pitch. Phil Crompton, demonstrating her athleticism, kept the ball in play, feeding it back to Julie Nightingale who was able to push the ball into the “D”. Phil, now goalside, was able to connect with the ball to find the backboard.
Longridge were now aware that they had a possibility of drawing the game, something Blackpool were determined not to give away lightly. The last five minutes were played out at quite a pace and certainly demonstrated that Longridge would not finish the game quietly. Testing the Blackpool defence to the end, Longridge had an outside chance of equalising, but it was not to be. With the full time whistle having been blown, Longridge were left to ponder what might have been had the game been played out to the full length of time.
Longridge Hockey Club would like to say a huge thank you to local business Travel Circle who have kindly sponsored the new 2nd team shirts. Next week the 2nd team play at home at 2pm when they take on Blackburn and Darwen.
