Marlborough 0 Bath Buccs II 3
Although the weather was a little chilly, the game started very evenly, with turnovers and counter attacks on both sides. Marlborough, playing on their home ground, kept the Bath Buccs II attacks at bay, with some solid defending and good clearances.
On a number of occasions Marlborough placed Buccs in a defending position, and tactically won a couple of short corners, however, they were unable to secure a goal.
Marlborough defenders were doing a great job and worked together to keep the ball from entering the D. With good communication and transfers between team-mates, Marlborough were able to make space for players to drive the ball up the pitch.
Phoebe Clarke and Rachel Cox made some quick and confident runs, which proved very successful, and passes were made to the forwards to carry the ball to the opposing goal. Anna Scott also made successful runs and some great tackles, and Lottie Colquhoun was always on hand to control the ball and glide through the defenders.
Unfortunately, by half-time, the relentless attacks from Buccs had earned them a goal.
At the start of the secon half Marlborough’s press was stronger, however, Buccs managed to win some corners, excellent goal keeping from Vicky Moxham prevented them converting.
Buccs kept the pressure up and converted one from the P spot. The game continued and Penny Bowen was whizzing about and playing her position efficiently. Helen Way was always on point with strong accurate passes and Sarah Kendall had great positioning, making herself available as a useful outlet coming out of defence.
Catherine Fuller and Lucy Anderson did great work transferring positions to the team’s advantage and posted up to side-line passes and line balls accurately played from Becky Ford, who also made a fantastic save on the line.
One last strike was taken by Buccs and a lucky miss hit meant that the ball lobbed over Marlborough’s goalie, ending the game 3-0. It was a respectable score-line versus the top of the league team – which really should have been much narrower.
The Marlborough News Online Player of the Match was Phoebe Clarke for her on point defending.
