Kendal v Ladies 1's

Ladies 1's travelled to the newly promoted Kendal Hockey Club on Saturday 14th September for the first fixture of the season.

Following a number of departures in the summer, the team had a number of new players making their debuts which represented a very new but exciting ladies 1's team.

As expected the opposition began the game with a great deal of energy and enthusiasm, this resulted in the Bay being pinned for the first quarter as they struggled to outlet the ball from the defence. On a number of occasions the oppositions willingness to win the ball resulted in possession being turned over creating early chances for Kendal. Once the Bay regained composure they then took control of the reminder of first half carving out a number of opportunities in front of goal and finally converting from a well drilled corner resulting in Beth Gill recording her first goal of the season.

In the last few minutes of the first half Kendal pulled a goal back to make it 1-1. They converted a corner which Whitley Bay had to defend with only three players due to two defenders being sent to the half way line for breaking the line on two occasions. The start of the 2nd half the Bay made some tactical changes which improved their defensive shape and control. This gave the team the platform to attack and retain possession which finally resulted in a goal from Sarah Buckton taking the game to 2-1. Yet again the determination of the opposition to take points from their first national league fixture was evident. On a number of occasions the Bay gifted the opposition possession and eventually the ball was turned over in the defensive 3rd of the pitch which was converted by the Kendal forward.

The game from the beginning to the end was a scrappy undisciplined performance with a number of yellow cards being issued to the opposition for persistent breaking down of play. This gave the Bay the opportunity to take advantage with the ball being drilled in from the left and Michelle Cooling converting with a diving reverse stick on the back post to make it 3-2.

The Bay managed to see out the reminder of the game and to hold to the 3 points.