Captain's Report : MK City vs Isis 3 (12-3)
MK City travelled to Oxford again to play Isis 3. We didn't know much about our opponents except that we had drawn with the second team so on that basis we were confident. Penalties have featured heavily through our games so far this season, so the Captains pre match top tips (instructions) were 'Watch the contact' and 'Absolutely no arguing with the referee'.
We started quite tentatively. Pete was so busy 'watching the contact' his Isis player ran through to score a running in shot. Pete muttered something about 'cutting' and I would like to say he was beaten by a 6ft 4 Dutch International, but he wasn't. Isis were lifted by their lead and played the ball round having most of the possession. The City attack tried all sorts and then the equaliser came from a distance shot from the Captain. 2 more goals were exchanged and it was 2-2. The second Isis goal was a penalty, Tim was adamant he had not touched his player and he hadn't (it was the Captain that gave the penalty away!).
The Captain called a time out. She contradicted herself by asking for a bit more aggression and interception and as Isis was struggling to play the ball out of defence, man on man tight marking. City worked hard to stop Isis playing the ball out of defence and it soon paid off. The Captain intercepted the ball hurled it to Cameron under the post and he scored a short shot. City then pulled away to 5-2 at half time.
It was one of the more relaxed half times as we had found our rhythm so were keen to get back on. Then news came that Isis was losing a girl. On the one hand good news but we went there to play a match! New strategies were agreed and we were back on.
Within minutes Cash scored a running in shot and with a change of ends we had the extra girl in attack. The Captain became the non shooter and called the attack from the post. The Isis boys were standing off and so the collect was being lost but we stuck at it and eventually the long shot dropped for Cam.
The referee called the score as 6-3, which only Tim noticed and, credit to Tim, he tipped he Captain off rather than debating with the ref. The Captain stopped the game as Isis went to take a free pass and tried to 'confirm' the score from the other end. By our reckoning we were 7-2 up and we knew Isis had not scored in the second half. Ignoring all her own advice the Captain continued this 'discussion' with the ref across the pitch, aware that if Isis scored that free pass the ref could be calling the game at 6-4! The ref could not be moved and the game went on (Isis did not score the free pass). The attacking division finally worked out how to score against a 3 and we were 8-2 up.
We moved the ball well in attack and defended hard, both ends made it very difficult for Isis the play the ball out. Pete conceded a penalty when he got run by that 6ft 4 Dutch International again and I am not sure when but Isis scored. Fortunately we scored another 4 and the final score was 12-3, or so we thought. The ref had the score as 11-4, but Isis gallantly confirmed they had only scored 3. It was very timely as I was about to break the news to Joe we were going to have to take one of his goals off him!
After a nervous start (with hindsight the Captain may have over egged the softly softly approach), City played well as team and the goals were shared. The Captain was very proud of the 'boys' for showing restraint and keeping their heads. We conceded 2 penalties and a handful of free passes, not ideal but good based on the last few games, a very controlled performance (we will make a Korfballer out of you yet Tim).
Captain's favourite moment was when Tim turned his ankle. Not the actual turning of the ankle but as the Captain weighed up the lead and asked Tim if he wanted to go off, she received a "No way", which went beyond the call of duty given City were 10-2 up with 5 minutes to go.
First A Emma (2), Chelsie (1), Cameron (3), Tim
First D Emma (2), Laura (1), Joe (2), Pete (1)