Tuesday 15 December 2009

A successful end to 2009!

Dawlish vs. Sidmouth II

The rearranged fixture against Sidmouth, due to the pitch being flooded on the originally scheduled date, was the last match of 2009 for Dawlish so they were looking to finish on a high.

Dawlish started strongly and quickly took control of the game as the forward line used speed and skill to break past the Sidmouth defence. Twice Helen Nicholson was denied by the Sidmouth keeper but the Dawlish forwards kept on the pressure and Mel Barnes’ confident strike rewarded them with a 1-0 lead.

With the two Dawlish wings running at the Sidmouth defence and backed up by a strong Dawlish midfield it was not long before the home team furthered their lead with a strike from Nicholson. Sidmouth were unable to take any control over the match and appeared to be trapped in their own half. Following a succession of long corners from the right Nicholson added her second to make the score 3-0 at half time.

Having failed to take any control of the game in the first half Sidmouth came out for the second with a change of formation and tactics; man marking the Dawlish centre forward and putting pressure on the forward runs of Liz Reed and Lottie Young in the middle.

Although the change in Sidmouth tactics did not see them take control of the match it did slow down the Dawlish attack. Following a break in play Sidmouth secured a short corner and scored from the rebound. Dawlish continued to pile on the pressure, despite the visitors consolation goal, with some strong work on the right from Jess Green and Anne Darby. The home side were unlucky not to get more out of the second half with some questionable decisions and some very near misses but the score remained at 3-1 for the final whistle.

After a slow start to the season and two straight defeats Dawlish have come back well and finish 2009 third in the league behind local rivals Teignmouth who are ahead on goal difference.

Monday 7 December 2009

Back to winning ways!

Dawlish vs. Honiton
5th December 2009

Dawlish travelled to face Honiton with a full side but no subs and started confidently with a formation that has worked well for them this season. They put early pressure on the Honiton defence using the speed and skill of their two young wings Jess Green and Amy Reed. But despite Dawlish’s pressure up front they seemed to have a gap in their midfield and when Honiton made a counter attack they found their way through the Dawlish defence and scored from a strong driving pass from the right.

As the first half continued Dawlish continued to put on the pressure; Anne Darby and Green linked well on the right to force short corners and Reed came close to levelling the score on a number of occasions. Dawlish were finally given a clear chance to level the scores before the half time whistle after a Honiton defender cleared their line with a foot and the visitors were rewarded a penalty flick. Helen Nicholson took the flick and beat the keeper to make it 1-1 as the whistle went.

A change of formation at the start of the second half saw Tasha Bailey move out onto the left half to support Amy Reed, and Gemma Wilkes take over the sweeper position. This change filled the first half gap in midfield and Dawlish took almost complete control of the second half with Sue Trout and Mandy Lovell picking up any stray forward runs from Honiton with ease. The Dawlish central midfield pushed forward with Lottie Young and Liz Reed giving the Honiton defence a difficult time, a strong run for Young straight through the Honiton defence finished with a pass to Nicholson which she converted into a 2-1 lead.

Dawlish were briefly down to ten men when Green had to leave the field but they continued to hold control of the match. Amy Reed was unlucky not to score as she used her strength and skill to find herself one on one with the keeper. As the end of the match approached Honiton became more determined in their defence and Dawlish felt unlucky not to have been awarded with more short corners or for cards to be shown. But it was Dawlish who got the last goal of the game with Nicholson scoring her hat trick to give her side a 3-1 well deserved, but hard fought, victory.

Thursday 3 December 2009

A Tough Draw!

Dawlish v Teignmouth 28th November 2009

Always an exciting fixture the local derby match between Dawlish and Teignmouth 2nds did not disappoint for entertainment value. A polished and large Teignmouth Squad could have given the impression that the match would be one sided and the opening 10 minutes did not do anything to make spectators think otherwise. Teignmouth started strongly finding gaps in the Dawlish defence and putting Dawlish keeper Sarah Webster under pressure. Before Dawlish could regroup at the back Teignmouth were pushing forward again and it was not long before they took an early lead.

With the game looking like it could be a whitewash Dawlish seemed to wake up, regroup and challenge Teignmouth for the ball. Liz Reed and Lottie Young took back control of the game in midfield and Dawlish started building their own attacking plays. As the second half continued it was Dawlish who took control Jess Green using her speed on the right wing to fly past the Teignmouth defence. An aerial shot from Helen Nicholson forced a great save from the Teignmouth Keeper and after continued pressure Amy Reed levelled the score line with a confident strike on goal.

Dawlish were unable to start the second half with the same possession as they had at the end of the first but did not let Teignmouth take control of the game again. Gemma Wilkes was strong at the first line of defence for Dawlish making some powerful tackles and covering the width of the field. Teignmouth continued to pile on the pressure forcing Dawlish backs Mandy Lovell and Sue Trout to make a succession of vital tackles. Only when the pressure seemed to be off the Dawlish defence did Teignmouth manage to add to the score line; as Dawlish mounted an attack Teignmouth won a free hit and mounted a counter attack, with Dawlish short in midfield Teignmouth took advantage and went ahead.

In the final period of the game Dawlish once again took control and were rewarded with short corners but the Teignmouth defence held strong. Dawlish continued to pressure the Teignmouth goal mouth forcing saves from the keeper and eventually Jess Green managed to take advantage and level the scores. As one might expect from a local derby not the prettiest of matches, with plenty of fight and not without umpires decisions questioned.

Monday 16 November 2009

Another strong win for Dawlish!

Dawlish vs. ISCA IV

The storms that hit the West Country last weekend looked like they may mean Dawlish’s fixture against ISCA fourths would have to be cancelled and along with late arrivals and a missing goalie kit it was not the best preparation for Dawlish after a two week break.

ISCA started strongly and twice in the first ten minutes came close to opening the scoring with strong shots going just wide of the Dawlish goal forcing some diving saves from Sarah Webster, the Dawlish keeper. Having settled down with their ten man formation, Dawlish managed to fill the gaps in midfield and start building their own attacking plays. Anne Darby and Jess Green linked well on the right and, following a goal mouth scramble, Helen Nicholson secured position and a shot to take Dawlish into the lead.

Despite Dawlish being a player down they continued to hold possession in midfield and when ISCA did manage to break they were strong at the back with Mandy Lovell and an excellent performance from Gemma Wilkes starting in defence for only the second time. The score remained 1-0 to the home side at the half time whistle but, with a player short facing a young team, there was still a long way to go.

A slight lapse in concentration at the start of the second half saw Dawlish lose control and allow ISCA some attacking runs but it was not long before Dawlish were in control again. From their first short corner of the game Yvonne Hudson passed to Lottie Young on the top of the goal whose shot found the waiting stick of Jess Green on the post to make it two nil. Dawlish really seemed to find their stride following the second goal with Young and Mel Barnes linking well through the central midfield to reach the Dawlish forwards. Another good link of play and pressure in the ISCA goal saw Nicholson’s shot deflected for an own goal.

The fourth Dawlish goal by Green looked like the nail in the coffin for an ISCA side with their heads down but they managed to make the most of a break in play and snatch a goal followed by their first short corner. Unfortunately for the visiting side their late goal was only a consolation and not a come back as Tasha Bailey tidied things up at the back and set Dawlish on another attack as Nicholson found herself goal side of the keeper and scoring Dawlish’s fifth.

Monday 19 October 2009

Superb first win of season

Following on from a disappointing start in their league results at the start of this season, despite some strong performances, Dawlish Ladies were looking to change their fortunes as they faced Torbay on Saturday.

Although there were some familiar faces, newly formed Torbay were an unknown quantity to Dawlish and following their poor results so far they started with a new formation playing back Natasha Bailey in a centrally sweeper position and welcoming back Sue Trout to the Dawlish back line. The new formation was clearly working for Dawlish who, having settled down after the first 10 minutes, opened the scoring with a confident strike from Yvonne Hudson.

Torbay were unable to make any attacking moves as they had very little possession in the first half. The Dawlish midfield were able to play high and support the forwards with their new sweeper stopping any attacking runs before it reached the Dawlish half and Sue Trout putting in a solid performance after her time away. Before half time Yvonne Hudson had scored again and Dawlish were unlucky not too have added a few more from short corners.

The second half continued with the same positive attacking play from Dawlish, Amy Reed put in impressive performances filling in to a number of difference positions and contributing equally in all. Jess Green was the next Dawlish forward to find space in the D and ensure a shot from Helen Nicholson was on target. The Torbay side continued to battle on but frustration was showing and cards were shown.

Before the final whistle Torbay’s day was to go from bad to much worse with Yvonne Hudson sealing her positive performance with a hat trick which was closely followed by strike on target by Helen Nicholson and a second for Jess Green. The strike power was impressive by Dawlish but it was made possible due to a strong midfield and a solid defence which meant that Sarah Wester, the Dawlish keeper, did not get a touch all game. A change of fortune that Dawlish will be keen to keep up next week.

Sunday 18 October 2009

Dawlish vs Dart 03/10/2009

Dawlish ladies travelled to Totnes to face Dart in their first league game of the season, having finished strongly at the end of last season hopes are high for a successful year with young talent coming through the ranks.

Dawlish started well with driving attacks down the right wing by Jess Green keeping Dart stuck in their own half for the first 15 minutes. Despite the pressure and some leading passes into the Dart D Dawlish were unable to capitalise on their early good work and the home side managed get back into the game. The remainder of the second half was evenly matched with Dawlish coming close to opening the scoring when Helen Nicholson broke the back line but was unable to beat the Dart keeper. Dawlish were strong in Midfield with Lottie Young and Lizzie Reed controlling the play frustrating the Dart players into some questionable tackles. It was however Dart who got the first goal and went into half time one up scoring with a soft bouncing ball which beat the Dawlish keeper who is more used to the heroic diving saves.

Dawlish started the second half with a captain’s brief for the forwards to use their speed and skill and take on the Dart defence. It was a strategy that paid off and the pressure on the Dart defence forced more errors resulting in opportunities for Dawlish in the shape of short corners, the second of which was converted by Helen Nicholson to level the scores. With some strong breaks on the left by Gemma Wilkes and Mel Barnes Dawlish continued to run at Dart who were unable to tackle cleanly forcing the umpire to give out warnings and eventually a green card. Unfortunately for Dawlish while their forwards were deep taking on the Dart defence the Dawlish backs were left open and had lost their shape, a break by Dart left them with just the Dawlish keeper to beat.

With the final whistle blown the score finished at 2:1 to Dart; Although Dawlish showed some moments of real potential and a promising first start for Katie Shenstone there was some clear areas to work on if they want to improve on last seasons league position.

Wednesday 2 September 2009

New Season Training!

A new season is fast approaching; as the evenings draw in and the (questionably) hot summer takes an Indian flavour our thoughts turn to……..the start of the 09/10 hockey season!

Never fear if that summer fitness routine never quite happened and there was more Pimms than Pilates because training starts again next session on the 8th September, thus giving us plenty of time to once again reach the dizzy heights of last years fitness levels and even beyond!

Training caters for all levels of ability and fitness and we welcome all ages in a relaxed atmosphere from those who have never held a stick to established players looking to play at a local level. Training is on the Astroturf at Sandy Lane, Dawlish from 6.30pm to 7.30pm every Tuesday from the 1st September if you would like more details or just a chat please call Club secretary Mandy Lovell on 07812 856324.

New joint Captains Lottie and Helen are keen to improve on last season’s third place in the league and start the season fielding full sides every week so expect our call!

Saturday 24 January 2009

A 5-1 victory

Following a shaky start to the New Year in last week’s local derby and a heavy training session Dawlish Ladies were determined to start their home game against Paignton II strongly and come away with a win.
It was not however the start that Dawlish had hoped for, the young Paignton side broke early into the Dawlish defence and within 10 minutes Paignton were 1-0 up. A rather shell shocked Dawlish re started the game and it was not long before it became clear that despite their poor start it was the home side who would control this game.
Lottie Young and Lizzie Reed held the ball in midfield and took on the Paignton defence to feed the the Dawlish forwards. As the first half continued Dawlish had opportunity after opportunity to test the Paignton back line with Mel Barnes and Yvonne Hudson coming agonisingly close.
It started to feel like it was not going to be Dawlish’s day and after Lottie Young took her second clout of the day, this time splitting open her finger, things looked like going from bad to worse. Down but not out Young took the next hit of the game finding Helen Nicholson in acres of space, Nicholson went round the Paignton backs and with a quick turn and reserve stick hit levelled the scores.
With the scores open for Dawlish the pressure continued and it was not long before a second goal took the home side ahead. Natasha Bailey, playing out of position on the left midfield, played a strong ball and Jess Green converted Yvonne Hudson’s initial strike on goal making it 2-1 at half time.
Dawlish came out for the second half and completely controlled the game, 90 percent of the play was in Paignton’s half with Dawlish back Mandy Lovell joining in the action with some great runs down the right wing. Unlike the first half Dawlish were able to capitalise on their control of the game and it was not long before a great play starting with Denise McMahon at the back ended with Jess Green scoring her second of the day.
The only real action Dawlish keeper Sarah Webster had in the second half was to question how Dawlish had so little short corners from all their pressure in the Paignton D? Despite the umpires decision not to reward Dawlish for their pressure they continued to increase the score line; Anne Darby switched from her normal right mid position played the ball to Nicholson whose second strike found its way round the back of the keeper.
As the game drew to a close Paignton seemed to be drained by the constant Dawlish pressure and an unmarked Nicholson once again found the back of the Paignton goal. With a 5-1 victory Dawlish were happy and hoping that their form will continue to improve in 2009.

Saturday 17 January 2009

Local Derby

Having had a succession of games canceled, due to frozen all weather pitches, this Saturday’s league game was not only Dawlish ladies first match of 2009 but their first in over six weeks.
Starting the year with a bang Dawlish faced local rivals Teignmouth for the always competitive local Derby. Dawlish were without regular back Mandy Lovell with young player stepping in Rhiannon Depla to fill the gap, a strong Dawlish side took to the field with ambitions to start 2009 with winning ways.

The match started with both sides giving very little away and playing tight in midfield where the real battle for the game was fought. Both sides had opportunities to break into the oppositions half and take on the defense; the Teignmouth forwards could not find a way past and Natasha Bailey who both Rhiannon Depla had solid performances all match at the back. The central Dawlish midfield of Lottie Young and Lizzie Reed were able to feed the ball to Helen Nicholson who took on the Teignmouth backs but could not quite find the other Dawlish forwards to covert the good work into a goal.

As half time approached Dawlish’s lack of match fitness was beginning to show, they were not using the width to reach speedy wings Jess Green and were Mel Barnes struggling to get the ball through the Teignmouth line from their own hit outs. Dawlish Captain rallied the troops and half time with some tactical changes and threats of cardio training.

The second half started much as the first with no team controlling the match and a battle in midfield to maintain possession, but it was Teignmouth who eventually took an attacking control with the ball reaching a Teignmouth striker on the top of the D un-marked whose shot found its way past the Dawlish keeper to open the scoring.

Teignmouth’s goal seemed to be the motivation Dawlish needed to take control of the game, with Amy Reed playing out wide and the striking power of Gemma Wilkes on the forward line Dawlish put constant pressure on the Teignmouth goal mouth forcing a succession of short corners.

The Dawlish equalizer game from a strong cross field pass by Young to Anne Darby out on the right, Darby drove the ball into the D which eventually found its way to Helen Nicholson who pushed the ball home for the well deserved equalizer. The Teignmouth players attempted to dispute the goal, however both umpires were happy and the score remained at 1.1 for the final whistle. Although Dawlish would have liked a win against local rivals and certainly game very close to getting it in the later stages of the second half a draw seemed like a fair reflection of the tight fought local Derby.