Womens 1 Vs Wisbech Town 1

Final game of the season and a trip to Wisbech for a match that was originally cancelled due to frost - which was now to be played in very warm conditions! Just league positions to play for, with Wisbech needing a victory to leap-frog Saints in to 7th place. Saints started well - pushing forward from the first whistle, pressurising Wisbech, turning over possession and attacking with pace. It wasn`t long before Saints were ahead, Kirsty McKenzie calmly rounding off a good Saints move. Despite enjoying the majority of the possession, as well as winning a barrage of penalty corners, disappointingly Saints weren`t able to extend their lead by the break.

Saints did, however, double their lead mid-way through the second half when Captain Paula Bingham converted a penalty corner at the far post. The increased advantage was short lived with Wisbech pulling a goal back with an excellent shot from the edge of the circle high in to the roof of the Saints net. As the game moved in to the final minutes Wisbech threw more and more players forward and Saints were increasingly forced on to the defensive, struggling to clear their lines. They determinedly defended a series of penalty corners, but ultimately Wisbech equalised with a close range finish. With just 5 minutes remaining now, Saints responded well - Millie Payne just missing out at the far post, but she wasn`t to be denied for long, converting from a similar position just moments later - to register her first goal for the side and grabbing a last-gasp winner for Saints! A very well contested match for the last game of the season, with Saints overall deserving to edge the encounter and hence secure a very satisfying 7th place mid-table league finish after a tough, slow start to the season as the side acclimatised to the loss of several senior players.

Player of the match honours were shared between Sophie Waugh, enjoying her best match for the team and Kelly Bingham. We wish Sophie and Katie Bates well after their last games for the side (For a while?!) before going on to further their studies next Autumn. So a terrific run from Saints in the second half of the season – they will aim to continue this form into next season and if they can produce it consistently throughout the season there is much optimism for continued progress and success!