Salisbury 2nds 3 Marlborough 1sts 3
Marlborough ladies travelled to Salisbury following the disappointment of their last game which they lost to a last second winning opposition goal.
The team started with purpose and penetrated Salisbury’s defence time and time again in the first ten minutes. It wasn’t long before the defence was pulled apart by Jess Pugh, who dribbled in from the right hand side past two defenders before calmly slotting the ball past the keeper.
Surely this was going to be the game to put to bed last week’s demons. But before the celebrations were over, Salisbury hit back immediately. The sixteen yard press was broken and two passes later the ball was in the back of the Marlborough net. Route one hockey at its best.
Emotions were high and Vanessa Pickford-Smith was green carded for remonstrating with the umpire. Time to regroup and adjust the formation.
Marlborough soaked up the pressure in midfield and goalie Vicky Moxham remained unchalleged. With eleven ladies back on the pitch, Marlborough continued to attack as they had in the first quarter, but Salisbury’s keeper stood tall and produced save after save.
The second half brought substitutions and a determination to win. A short corner strike from Rachel Cox thundered into the right hand corner early on and Marlborough looked favourites to win.
Then, with 15 minutes to go, Salisbury were awarded a short corner, and the ball was fired into the top of the net. After a discussion between the umpires, the goal was given due to a deflection off the defenders stick. Once again Marlborough’s lead was wiped out.
Marlborough lost their shape a little, and Salisbury were able to exploit it, with dangerous runs down both the right and left of the pitch. It seemed the tide had turned and Salisbury were hungry for the win. Once again Marlborough were caught on the break.
The ball was passed wide and the Salisbury forward sped down the wing passing two defenders before firing it across for a free player to slot the ball in. Vicky Moxham was left helpless.
Marlborough knew time was not on their side and pummeled Salisbury with attack after attack then finally a quick ball was taken and a one two from Vanessa Pickford-Smith and Janeve Beer resulted in a short corner which was converted by Millie Dawson. Straight off the training field, a textbook goal.
Despite three further attacks and another short corner, Marlborough were unable to grab a last minute winner. From a game of dominant possession it was a disappointing draw. But with seven goals and four points from the first three games of the season , the team knows what it needs to work on to take the points.
Marlborough News Online Player of the Match was Rachel Cox for her goal and fantastic distribution in midfield.