Womens 1 Vs Lowestoft

After various fixture rearrangements, due to the bad weather, the curtain finally came down on Saints Ladies 1s inaugural Division 1 (North) season, with a long trip to the seaside to face Lowestoft. With some injuries, illness and unavailability there were opportunities for further first team experience for some of the club`s most promising young players.

Unsurprisingly an experienced Lowestoft side were initially in the ascendency, but gradually Saints settled, beginning to move the ball well and create opportunities as they broke forward. As the first half drew to a close it looked as though the scores would be level, when Saints conceded possession and the Lowestoft player finished clinically, high in to the roof of the net.

The match was settled in a couple of early second half minutes with a further two Lowestoft goals, as they launched fast direct attacks. Saints responded well, continuing to push forward in search of a reply. Saints knew it wasn`t their day when a Lowestoft penalty corner was unfortunately deflected in to the Saints goal. A spirited Saints side were now playing their best hockey of the match and Summer Payne rounded off an encouraging first team debut with a good far post finish. Saints attacked to the end with Paula Bingham only denied, in the final minutes, by a remarkable save by the home goalkeeper.

The possession stats for the game were fairly even, but Lowestoft`s experience, drive and finishing proved decisive. Plenty of positives for Saints to take from the game, however, particularly the performances of Millie and Summer Payne as well as Issy Dicken`s excellent defensive display, on her return to the side, that deservedly earnt her the player of the match honours.

Saints can be very pleased with their mid-table finish and begin to look forward to their second season in Division 1 when they will be aiming for the top half of the table and possibly a promotion bid with more places due to be available next season with the forthcoming national league restructuring?!