Back at home with supporters on the side KS 1’s knew how they had to play to be able to go for a win. Both teams were strong from the whistle and this was going to be the feature of the whole match. It was great to see Gemma Harvey back on the pitch, although playing for the opposition. Gemma’s game play had not changed and KS enjoyed the tussles throughout.

Both teams were passing the ball around, setting strong presses and looking for gaps to attack. Exeter were soon rewarded with a goal which the defence were unlucky to stop. Throughout Ellie Malley was pressurised and she rose to the occasion and made unbelievable saves, many of them being with a tip of her stick. The defence of Tess Baker, Lisa BB and Rachel Booton held their shape and strength, and controlled the back, with Lou Read or Fi Douglas dropping in to pass around and look for space. KS had a strike on the goal which was saved by the Exeter keeper, Maddie Kimber pounced on the rebound and lifted the ball into the goal to draw the game.

The midfield of Hannah Cox, Lisa Ansell and Gen McBride were relentless in their defence and attack, looking at using the width and passing forward to Charlotte Budgen, Islay Box or Helen Symons to attack. Helen was giving Exeter trouble in the D with her twist and turns, attempts to score and upgrade. Helen’s persistence saw her name on the score sheet after Hannah drove the ball to the D and reversed passed across for Helen to place it in the goal. Lou was always there, line of ball to goal and Exeter could not get passed her. Lou was also a part of the attack as she drove the ball forward for Charlotte to collect and drive into the goal. At half time the game was drawn 3-3.

Coach Nikki Kidd gave the team talk, to keep up the hard work, be relentless and use the width more. There was space for KS to use their pace and run onto the ball wide.

The second half was finger biting for the supporters and end to end for both teams. Exeter and KS goalies had plenty of action. KS was awarded a short corner, which Lisa BB injected to the top of the D for Lou to drill into the bottom corner. The game was drawing at 4-4 and Exeter were given a short corner as the final whistle blew. KS were determined that they would not score and the defence cleared the ball to gain the draw and the first points on the table. Man of the match votes were spread across the team with Rachel, Fi, Ellie, Lou and Helen getting votes but Islay and Maddie tied at the top. Thank you to Mark & Neil for umpiring and for the Creeks End who provided the match teas.