After a lengthy spell of no games Kingsbridge and Salcombe 2s were determined to start this match with fast pace, accurate passing and a want to win – They have been training hard each week and were ready to get the points.

The game against Mannamead started with the Cougars playing some great hockey, nice linking play by Captain Laura Favis, Cara Yeoman and debut player Charley Adams allowed the ball to move forward which also created great space for the halves Lottie Sutherland and Laura Tregelles to pick up the ball and pressure the Plymouth side.
The Kingsbridge side soon realised that it only took an accurate, fast ball to a close player to get through Mannameads defence which allowed them a couple of shots at goal.

Work rate off the ball helped the Cougars massively giving lots of options of who to pass to, lovely transitions from the backs between Anna McCabe, Alex McKenzie and Tregelles tired the Plymouth sides attackers allowing more room to run with the ball.
With Kingsbridge and Salcombe dominating the game it only took 12 minutes to take the lead with Yeoman square passing to Heather Mockridge inside the D to slot it past the stranded keeper on her reverse.
This was the positive start they were hoping for but to be fair to Mannamead they kept their heads up and pressured the young defence calling on Keeper Erin Murgatroyd to make a good save to keep the lead.

The team played very well as a unit and supported each other on and off the ball, good tackles by defenders Katie Merrin, McKenzie and McCabe kept Mannamead away from the D and helped to continue their attacking form.
There was a feeling that more goals were coming and when you are 0-1 up its always a vulnerable position to be in but work rate helped to ease the worry by Mockridge hitting the ball from the left into the D for Sutherland to receive and slap in from the right.
For the remainder of the first half both sides played some great one-twos and the majority of play was in the midfield area.

At the half time team talk coach Chris Guard wanted the girls to up the tempo and be a little more aggressive when going for the ball, more talking would help and to not panic when they get the ball. But also to keep going because they were playing really well.

With this in mind the Cougars went for it and 1 minute into the second half saw Mockridge square the ball to Katie Flintham who tapped it in making it 0-3.
Mannamead were an experienced side and didn’t stop battling, receiving several short corners which they fought hard to convert but either the defence were quick and got it away or they put the ball wide of the goal.
The Cougars showed some great composure on the ball and confidence was oozing from each player. Charlie Matheson made positive runs down the right wing and played simple passes to the forwards to continue the pressure play. Nina Hardy linked well on the left midfield playing through balls to the forwards but also would find space for the defence to play the ball to her out wide and then carry it down the pitch.
Kingsbridge and Salcombe were really putting into practice what they have been learning in training and their extra fitness sessions are starting to improve their performance as well as their skills.

With 5 minutes remaining the Cougars weren’t quiet finished and another debut squad member wanted in on the action, Nicky Sheppard played a perfect ball from the left of the D to waiting team mate Mockridge who received and placed it into the bottom right hand corner of the goal making the final result 0-4.

This was a great performance by Kingsbridge and Salcombe and they should all be very proud of their achievement. This maybe a friendly Sunday league but every game still matters and with the club focusing on them moving leagues next season to more competitive hockey games, attitude and commitment will hopefully see them gaining promotion quickly!.

Mannamead supplied the away side with match teas where the Cougars voted for player of the match which went to Charley Adams for her dynamic performance in midfield.
Thank you to all the supporters who travelled to cheer the girls on.