Saints Join the 21st Century!
This weekend saw the introduction of cutting-edge technology at Brixworth, as Claire Dale installed a white board to record the day’s results. Awesome work! And the first result to be posted was the Men’s 7s 4-3 victory with a hat-trick scored by Andy. Go team Dale!
In other news, Ladies 2s beat Towcester 1-0 in a very dominant game. Saints’ pressing caused Towcester a lot of issues for the whole game and Saints should have won by two or three more goals, it was a good game and a win for the Northampton team.
Ladies 3s also won, 1-0 against Loughborough Carillon who were sat near the top of the table. A very frustrating game with some hotly-contested umpire decisions, but Hattie McCabe slipped one past the goalkeeper to secure the win.
Men’s 3s overcame a tough Berkswell 2s side and kept their winning run intact with a 3-1 home victory. Goals from captain Jez and two from Lloydy (including a stunning top corner rocket in the first half) were enough to offset a bizarre miscommunication in the Saints defence for the Berkswell goal (you know who you are!!?).
Men’s lost 3-0 at home to Derwent. Nico Anserini saved a penalty stroke at 2-0 but unfortunately it wasn’t enough to inspire a comeback.
Men’s 4s played a great game away today to Atherstone Adders. Saints lost 2-1 but the visitors put in a strong team performance, dominating periods of play and were unlucky not to get a point. Captain Trevor Fidler said after the game, “There were some super performances from the five under-sixteen players in the team, and we’re feeling really positive about the remaining games of the season”.
The Ladies 5s played Oundle 2s. Saints fielded a young side (only three players over 16 years old, and they were well over 16 years old!) and put in a dominant performance which saw Saints to a 3-1 victory.
During the game, Katie dominated the midfield and bagged herself a hat trick. There were also great midfield performances from Millie and Kate who grew in confidence as the game progressed. Goalie Rebecca gave an outstanding performance, assisted by a goal line save from Azaria.
Once again the defence was solid. Both Izzy and Poppy tackled well, and Poppy managed to throw a few aerials when the team were under pressure.
Team: Rebecca, Azaria, Izzy, Poppy, Beth, Tunni, Katie, Millie, Daisy, Bethany, Taylor (capt), Kate, Aggie, Rose, Kathryn.
Player of match: Rebecca
Finally, The Men’s 1s travelled to Birmingham to play Bournville.
In a tight clash throughout, the 1s found themselves two down on the stroke of half time
Chasing goals, the difference was soon halved after 45 mins with a three-pass goal from deep in their own half, scored by Jack Zoers-Benstead.
Against the run of play, Bournville scored after 50 minutes that appeared to put the match beyond Saints. But as time was ebbing away, the 1s won a penalty corner which Stuart Clark deflected in, to put the home team on the back foot.
Now, dominating possession and on the hunt, Saints won free hits in the Bournville half to apply more pressure, which resulted in a decisive break-through at the top of the D. The ball came loose to Owen Davies who, surrounded by defenders, glanced past the keeper and flicked the ball high into the goal.
And, as Bournville re started, the final whistle blew. A barnstorming second half gave Saints the draw which was the least they deserved.
An entertaining game that tested the resolve and spirit of the 1s. But the team dug deep, and grabbed the essential draw.