This week saw the U18s face Heaton Mersey Gold in a much anticipated rearranged league fixture. 
Gold are the Heaton Mersey first string, and are a team that regularly represent Heaton Mersey at ladies level. It was set to be a tough test for a Timperley U18 team who have been lacking game time. 
Saturday night activities also took their toll, with some of the team arriving looking a little less than ready for action! ;-)

It was clear from the start that Heaton Mersey were going to be fast and full of set plays. But this Timperley team had come to defend their unbeaten record.
The full team defence was evident from the start, keeping the Mersey attack in check. Katie made some key saves at key times to ensure that HM never got too far ahead. The rest of the D-Team, Eva, Charlotte and Emily all communicating well to break down the ever-changing HM tactics. 
There was determined defensive support from our middies, with Carys and Sienna particularly strong controlling the top of the fan.

The Timperley transition was laboured to begin with, but the attacks effective and finishing clinical. 
We held our own in the opening stages.
Henny, Gabi and Lexi did a fantastic job of keeping our attack moving, always running back to defend and constantly tidying up possession.

The first quarter finished 4-3 giving HM a slight advantage. We had a close game on our hands.

Q2 started with Timperley in charge.
Five goals scored and only one conceded saw Timperley go 8-5 ahead.
It felt like the game had turned in our favour, but Mersey picked themselves up for the last 5 minutes of the half and scored 3 to level the half time score at 8-8!
With only 10 of our regular U18s available, Lexi Peach and Ruby Senior had made themselves available for selection and did not disappoint! 
Both proved themselves very comfortable at this level with both also scoring goals! It’s fantastic to see our younger players stepping up and learning from their older clubmates.
Half time arrived and Katie stepped aside after a solid first half performance. Evie stepped up to take over goalkeeping duties for the second half.

The half time team talk saw the girls themselves contribute to tactical suggestions to deal with the HM threat.
Some great suggestions saw a change in our approach, which would prove decisive.
Franzi was strong on the draw with Sienna, Ruby and Carys in rotating support. 
Some intelligent play in Q3 saw great attacking variations, bringing Emily through from D to create confusion for the HM defence.
That frustration proved too much for one of HMs stronger players, and (at least) 2 yellow cards led to a red and she was sent off. 

Timperley took full advantage of the subsequent man-up situation. HM lost their main draw taker, so Franzi, Sienna, Carys and Ruby won possession at draw after draw and converted goal after goal. Creativity, tenacity and lacrosse intelligence were on display from this talented Timperley group as HM watched the game fall out of reach. 
A number of good saves and excellent positional play by Evie made it even more demoralising as the opportunities HM created were halted in their tracks. Testament again to our defensive trio of Charlotte, Eva and Emily - their constant pressure made it very difficult for HM to get a foothold.

A controlled Q4 with the constant threat of even more attacks saw Timperley stamp their authority on this fixture and close out a thoroughly deserved win by 19 goals to 11. Henny, Gabi and Lexi had bossed the attack for the whole game, and their movement helped us create the chances that led to the flurry of 2nd half goals. Henny got on the scoreboard with a very well taken goal. Gabi and Lexi were extremely effective drawing defenders behind goal, but also providing pass options all around the fan. Intelligent play and huge potential from two so young.
There were some great moments in this game, with Emily’s rocket of a goal as she burst through from the midfield, Lexi’s determined lob goal (and excellent defensive effort), Sienna’s superb individual goal, Franzi’s long range goal, Ruby’s growing confidence, excellent ground balls and 2 goals!

A special mention for Carys Bucknall, whose goal tally shows how dominant and unstoppable she can be in attack. But today it was her lacrosse intelligence that caught the attention. Playing smart. 
Top accolade goes to the relentless full team defending. This was an incredibly strong team performance for a group who haven’t had too much game time together this season so far. 
A teams’ commitment to winning together, and to supporting each other is never more evident than when a team defends like Timperley did today. It’s easy to seek the glory of scoring goals, but to defend with that much heart and determination is a rare quality.
So I think it’s only fair to pay tribute to the strong foundation that supports the opportunities to score goals.
Overall, a disciplined classy performance. Well done girls!

Goals:
Carys: 12
Ruby: 2
Emily: 1
Franzi: 1
Sienna: 1
Henny: 1
Lexi: 1