A mixed bag of results this week, tipping to the win side. The ladder standings look great! Check out Bulldog Banter for the positions of each team. The results are certainly something the Women’s Section can be proud of.
Premier League 1 lost Greensborough 6 Goal N Hancock
This was a huge game for both teams as a win in this round would give the victors a break from the rest of the competition. FHC went into the game confident, if the whole game was played out with that confidence then FHC had a chance to win the game. The game got underway with FHC dominating play and earned the first corner very quickly. FHC ended up earning lots of corners in the first half but failed to convert. Greensborough, on a break away, capitalsed on a defensive error and scored to take the lead. FHC hit back later in the first with Nicola Hancock scoring off a rebound. FHC dominated the first half but failed to convert which proved costly later in the game. The second half started with both teams providing good chances to score but it was Greensborough that scored first to take the lead, and not long after that goal, they scored twice more and took a four goal to one lead. The FHC team appeared to retreat into their shells and Greensborough scored two more times to finish 1-6 winners. We have lots to work on. When things got tough only a few kept doing the hard work which was very disappointing. The game was a tale of two halves, we created some good opportunities but failed to convert when it mattered, a good lesson was learned.
Premier League Reserves 3 def Greensborough 1 Goals G Minett, E Robinson 2
Pennant A 3 def ELHC 0 Goals Z Killeen, M Penn 2
May 18th 2013, a beautiful autumn day. Pennant A take on ladder leaders and unbeaten Essendon Ladies. The game started slowly with both teams trying to settle the nerves and get to check out each other’s game plan. The experienced Bombers tried to break the strong FHC midfield and made some promising inroads, but the defence stood strong and kept the attacks at bay, with Kaitlin Grimaldi, Sheridan Corless and Gabby Lewis outstanding. From then on, it was all FHC, as our forwards and midfield ripped through the Bombers defence. Youngster, Zoe Killeen, put the finishing touches to a great build up and put FHC one ahead. The second half started on a very fast note and the speed of the FHC forwards, saw Mel Penn make a brilliant run down half the field and scored with a brilliant hit, giving the Bombers GK no chance what so ever. FHC lifted the tempo and the persistence paid off, as Mel Penn once against scored a great goal (her tomahawk hitting the crossbar and then dropping in and crossing the goal line) as a result of some excellent teamwork from our midfield and attack. FHC emerged winners 3-0, a game where every single woman gave her very best. The effort, the intensity and the want was outstanding, and a credit to every team member. Well done. FHC take on Doncaster in round 7, a clash between 3rd and 4th on the ladder.
Pennant B 1 lost ELHC 2 Goal K Lavars
Round 6 had the Pennant B team meet Essendon Ladies Hockey Club at the Essendon home ground. FHC were surprised by an early messy goal scored by ELHC and spent some time trying to score an equaliser which eventually came from a rebound of a corner thanks to Captain Kat Lavars. Strong midfield play was demonstrated by the FHC team. Meanwhile a good defensive side was unable to stop another goal from Essendon coming in the second half. The team continue to demonstare a great press and some great linking passes. FHC fought hard in the last 10 minutes but we were unfortunately unable to put in another goal. So FHC had to face the first defeat of the season.
Metro 1 North 3 def ELHC 0 Goals L Lang 2, H McMahon
At Essendon on Sunday afternoon FHC started a little slowly but gradually created a number of chances in the first half. The team just could not seem to find the right final pass and were not really desperate enough in the circle. The ELHC goalie watched many balls go past her left post after we had attacked down the right – the team need to work on getting the ball across the goalie’s path, but improvement is obvious. The second half was much better, better use of the ball, more options in the circle – and the scoreboard tells the story. Thanks to Kelsey Crimmin for filling in as GK this week, she made a couple of very nice saves. Well done again, big game this week against MCC at the Hockey Centre! Looking forward to it.
Metro 1 South 2 drew ECHO 2 Goals L Dick, M McCullagh
A two all draw this week for Metro 1 south against ECHO. Another great goal by Lauren Dick and one for Megan McCullagh, her first for the season. We worked hard as a team, catching up to their one goal lead at half time. It was great to see the team not only play hard but to play smart. Taking what we have spoken about in training and putting it to use. Well done team.
Metro 2 North 0 lost ELHC 1
Metro 2 South 1 lost Collegians X 5 Goal K Clark
Collegians X caught FHC off guard from the get go, scoring the first goal in the first minute and the second from a spectacular deflection not long after. FHC managed to stop the onslaught and peg one back towards the end of the half, only to have Collegians X break through again just before the half time whistle and score a controversial raised goal that struck a FHC player on its way into the net. Coming out 3 – 1 down after half time, FHC fought hard and produced some excellent attacking plays, but just couldn’t seem to finish it off. Mid way through the second half Collegians X regained the upper hand and slotted two more goals through to cement their place on top of the ladder. The FHC goal was scored by Kat Clark from a penalty stroke. Bad luck team, but now we have a measure of what we need to rise to when we face them later in the season on home turf.
Metro 3 North