Womens 3 Vs Cambridge Nomads 2

St Neots Ladies 3s fought back to a 1-1 draw in a competitive away match against Cambridge Nomads 2s, including a saved penalty flick by Saints keeper Amy Harley.

The Saints team struggled to find their match confidence in their first game since 27th November, conceding a goal within five minutes of the start due to a mix-up in defence. Nomads dominated, with some great interceptions and a sustained attack through the centre on the Saints defence. However St Neots clung on, with keeper Amy and defenders Rosy Sabatino, Karen Sutton, Katie Pye and Andrea Pybus throwing themselves at any attack; literally by Karen when a flick at goal hit her in the chest with the umpire awarding a penalty flick. Amy stepped up and easily kicked the ball away back up the pitch.

Saints came back stronger in the second half, with clear attacks on the Nomads defence for the first 20 minutes. Player of the match Poppy Presland concentrated on some superb runs down the right, supported by Katie Pye behind and Katy Lloyd to her left. Hannah Thompson and Lizell Heather were ready to pick up in the opposition D, but it was the combination of Katy Lloyd and Kirsty Clarke who had the first clear shot on goal, quickly followed by a near miss by Lucy Ruben from an attacking short corner. But the Poppy and Hannah partnership finally paid off with Hannah’s smack from the edge of the circle finding Kirsty and Lizell hovering in front of goal to ensure the ball went over the line. Lizell took the honours and despite a final fling by Nomads, including a green card for a Nomads player, on the Saints defence in the final 10 minutes, the game finished with a 1-1 draw.