Crostyx 7 Folkstone 2

Playing their final league game on Saturday at home against Folkestone, Crostyx ladies 1st XI were keen to finish the season on a high and to secure third place. As the 2nd team had already finished their league campaign Crostyx took the opportunity to put out a mixed squad of 1st and 2nd team players. Eleanor Hopkins, Madeleine McLeod and Kat slotted into the defense and midfield contributing well to the team performance.

Crostyx started strongly, putting pressure on the visitors early in the game. Sue Mouat showed her class with some excellent skills in the D allowing her to get off an early shot. The ball was arguably already on its way into the goal but Sarah Belsham didn’t take any chances as she tapped it home at the right post.

The early lead allowed Crostyx to settle into the game, building attacks and creating chances. Vicki Berrill, Kat and Jo Ward linked up nicely down the right on a number of occasions, one of which resulted in a quick cross from Ward that Belsham swept first time into the goal.

Although Crostyx were dominating the game the visitors showed some fight on the counter attack and managed to score a goal with some quick passing and a close range shot. The home side went into the break with a 2-1 lead.

Determined to extend that lead in the second half Crostyx stepped up the pace and took the game to the visitors. They were rewarded with a third goal when Madeleine McLeod was quick to react to a loose ball in the D, firing the ball over the keeper and into the net.

Crostyx knew there were more goals in the game and continued to press. Donna Blockley dominated the midfield and when she won possession with a strong tackle she released Captain Keeley Pratt with a perfect pass. Pratt took no hesitation in attacking the D, getting off a powerful strike that left the advancing keeper with no chance.

Minutes later another excellent pass from Blockley found Belsham in the D. A bad stick tackle by the Folkestone defender as Belsham was about to take a shot resulted in a penalty flick. Blockley stepped up confidently for the flick and fired the ball hard and low into the bottom right hand corner of the goal.

With a 5-1 lead Crostyx were enjoying themselves and playing some of their best hockey of the season. Winning a free hit just inside the Folkestone half Mouat was quick to take advantage of the new self pass rule, running at the defense and then releasing the ball down the right to Belsham. Belsham’s cross found Ward on the penalty spot where she was able to fire home for the 6th.

Folkestone never gave up and were rewarded with a short corner which they converted with a deflected shot. However, that just fired Crostyx further, attacking quickly from the push back and winning a number of short corners. The final goal came from a short corner when the ball was slipped right to Ward who took an early shot across the goal. An instinctive reaction by Belsham on the penalty spot placing her stick flat for the deflection saw the ball fly into the top left corner of the goal.

An outstanding result for Crostyx who finished the season on an excellent high with this 7-2 victory.