Women's 3rd XI Vs Mannamead II

Caradon 3rds have come a long way since the beginning of the season with the youngsters now settled into playing senior hockey and performing well within the squad; since Christmas they have won 4 and lost 3, winning the last 2 games on the trot 1-0 against Truro 2s last weekend in the bitter cold and coming away deserved winners from this weekends game in the warm spring sunshine against Mannamead 2s. 

Caradon knew that this weeks game would be a hard fought battle but were positive they could get a result from this game with Mannamead just ahead of Caradon in the league. The pitch had been recently sanded so the ball didn't travel as fast as on normal astro pitches so caradon hard to work extra hard to pick up the balls and pass them on. Within the first few minutes Caradon were attacking the goal and after a goal line scramble Erryn Lockett ably assisted by Pippa Hedley managed to push the ball over the line. Mannamead were finding the pitch equally difficult making lots of mistakes on the ball enabling caradon to intercept the ball and push forward again. Charlotte Reed linked up well with Kerryn Walsh and Nic batten on the right to create lots of pressure. Leah Jones and Bryony Gubbins worked tirelessly on the left stopping the attacks on the left and the 1st half finished 1-0 to caradon but they knew that Mannamead would come out much stronger in the second half. 

Mannamead changed their formation slightly in the second half and this worked in their favour and they quickly made roads into the Caradon D. Caradons defence stood strong and with well timed tackles managed to stop any chance on goal. As the second half went on Mannamead gained in confidence and had the caradon defenders of Shelley Lockett, Jane Luiten, Emma Link and Daisy Hunn working extremely hard to keep the attacks at bay. With about 9 short corners awarded against the traveling side and a yellow card issued (leaving Cardon with 10 players for a few minutes) it was Keeper and player of the match Lauren Bowdler would controlled the D and dealt with any shot the defenders couldn't get a stick on. Battling right to the whistle caradon came away worthy winners and another 3 points to push them above the Mannamead side in the league.

The next few games will be difficult as they are all against the top 4 teams but caradon will definitely give all they have in the up and coming games.