Stormy skies... Electric Priory!!

Report by Match Day Reporter (And Skipper!) Tiger Garfield.

A storm was brewing, not only the weather but the impending derby between RPHC Ladies 1XI and Epsom Ladies 2XI… The rivalry between the 2 clubs was sure to set this up as a feisty game… It didn't disappoint! From the first whistle Reigate took control of the game, it was clear Epsom were not going down lightly and battled hard to keep Reigate at bay.

With Jane Williams dominating the centre mid position, distributing the ball around and swatting any attack made by Epsom, Reigate looked the stronger of the two teams.

For the first 30 minutes Epsom did well to hold Reigate at 0-0, but it was looking more and more likely Reigate would score with a few near misses Finally, following some swift movement and passing from Reigate, Corinne Daniel took the ball into the D, teed up a shot which bobbled towards goal, and before the Epsom Keeper could react to clear the initial shot, Laura Zander followed up with her reverse stick and swept the ball past the keeper to finished the move… 1-0 to Reigate.

The last 5 minutes of the half were tough on Epsom as Reigate continued to dominate around the park. Epsom started getting a little frustrated - one of the Epsom players after questioning Sir William’s umpiring decisions for the umpteenth time left him no choice but to show her a green card…(We love Pam! For Epsom half time couldn't come soon enough!

Reigate opened the second half much the same as the first, pressing Epsom hard and high, ensure they used the width but knowing 1-0 isn’t a safe score line. However, Epsom had other ideas, they also started better in the second half, they were quick on the break, giving the Reigate halves, Lucy Donovan and Nat George some work to do, Tamsin Hartin and Izzy Higgs, Reigate’s solid Centre back partnership were also tested, but Cat Lynn, Reigate’s Keeper, came to the rescue and made some incredible saves to keep the score in Reigate’s favour. Jane Williams, who ultimately finished the game as player of the match, soon started to take back control of the midfield, distributing the ball and using her inners Ellie Craven and Stacey Bone well. Kate Williams started another passing move down the right, which saw the ball was struck hard and fast into the D, Laura Zander was in exactly the right place on the back post to defect the ball into the goal, 2-0.

With the momentum back in Reigate’s favour they continued to push forward from the restart, Stacey Bone picked up the ball just inside the 23 and with some silky skills pushed forward into the D and fired off a strike on the reverse, although not the most powerful of strikes, the ball lofted into the air and into the top right hand corner of the goal well out of the reach of the Epsom Keeper’s flapping arms, 3-0!

With the game almost out of Epsom’s reach, Reigate used the ball to frustrate them further, keeping possession and using all the space. Epsom pressed high to try and get something from the game, but this gave Reigate an advantage on the break. Laura Zander and Lottie Riddick, being such young quick whipper-snappers, took advantage of the space with some quick one touch passing saw Lottie finish the move by slotting the ball in the goal to effectively kill off the game with 10 minutes to go.

To give Epsom credit, they didn't give up, and with 3 minutes remaining were awarded a short corner, Nat George ran 1 and did everything she could to prevent the first strike, but the ball was struck hard and defected off her stick and ended up in the top right corner for a consolation goal for Epsom. It was one of the best performances of the season and a win over Epsom as always that much more sweet!