The start of the 2019/2020 season saw the Ladies 2s with a new coach, a new team, but with a drive to prove a point after being demoted the season before. It was going to be tough with everyone getting to know each other and getting used to playing with each other all over again.
We started with a couple of friendlies to get the ball rolling (which was great as it gave the 2s the chance to gel before the official league began). The league began and the first game was against Leatherhead who had come down to the league with us, so this was an important game to win. We went out with a drive and positive attitude and came away winning, this put us in great spirits and a great start to the new season. Following this game there were trips all over Surrey including Battersea Park, on more than one occasion, and an extra challenge as well as the game itself.
The first half of the season saw us with some ups and downs, with some wins, losses and draws but still the motivation to keep going no matter what the results were. We had some cracking team performances and some incredibly young talent coming through which saw us with 5 wins, 3 draws and 1 loss. However, with these results it was good enough to put us top of the league going into the Christmas break. This put the 2s in great spirits and the thoughts that we can win this league, and that we were good enough to succeed in winning.
With the Christmas break over, it was time to get back to hockey and work of the Christmas Dinners. Again, we started with a friendly which we won 8-0 so great result, but it was all about the focus and keeping our top spot. Again, the second half of the season had its ups and downs, but everyone stuck together as a team and played as hard as we can, and even when we lost, the motivation and drive to win next time was always there. The second half of the season saw us with 4 wins, 2 draws and 2 losses.
It was close at the top with only 3 points in it and one remaining game to play of the season. Unfortunately, due to the circumstances around the world this game was put on hold. We all waited patiently (some more than others), to see what would happen and when we would play it. Surrey finally made the decisions that final games would not be played and the positions in the league were the results. Thanks to the incredible performance in the last two games, which saw us winning 4-0 and 3-0, it left us on 32 points which was 3 points ahead of 2nd place, and it meant we had won the league and were being promoted next season. This was music to the Captain’s ears. The news was greatly received by all the team and everyone was so happy, already arranging celebrations drinks when we can. The team thoroughly deserved this and had worked so hard during the season and this was a well-deserved result for everyone involved in the ladies 2s.
Through the season we had our positives and our negatives, but we all pulled together and carried on with such a positive attitude and drive, it was a pleasure to Captain such a team. It was not only the team but our coach Matt Brigden, who through the tough times kept us all together with his motivational team talks, and when we were not performing our best, holding the jelly babies to ransom (this helped a lot and changed our game that day). Massive thanks to him for coaching us as well as juggling being a captain as well every Saturday.
Thanks also needs to go to all the parents of our younger players, that drove them too and from games, as well as shouting and cheering words of support on the side-lines it was greatly appreciated. And another big thanks to the umpires who travelled to all parts of Surrey to help, special mention to our resident umpire Richard Taylor and our guest umpire Andy Chambers.
We finished the season with 43 goals for and 28 goals against with a +15-goal difference, these are the highest numbers for the 2s in the 3 seasons I have been captain for. As I have previously said I couldn’t have done it without the amazing 2s squad: -
Alex K, Katie S, Emily T, Jess S, Emma R, Tabby G, Olivia C-D, Angharad T, Hannah T, Michelle G (Tigs), Laura P, Siobhan H, Kersti M, Emelye K-B, Clare W, Millie O’B, Lucy B, Loulou Z, Freyja C, Matt B (Coach).
Kersti M was our top goal scorer for the ladies 2s as well as for the whole league, followed by Michelle G, who was also 3rd in the whole league. But it was a whole team performance that got us to where we are now.
I as a captain can not wait for the new season to begin and share the pitch with my amazing squad again and show them why we deserve to be there. Thank you all.