'We were still buzzing from last week’s win and were ready to give it all we had yet again. However, we had a couple of people missing from our usual squad, so knew it won't be a walk in the rose garden.'

How was the match preparation?

'It was our usual chit chats in the car on the way up, it was pouring down with rain, but that didn't foul our mood, not even when there were no changing rooms.'

How was the game?

'We had most of the possession in the first half and scored two goals, but we dropped to the opposition's level and instead of completely outplaying them we were trying to dribble around. Which was what we discussed at half-time and we stuck with that. Funnily enough, I think our second half was much better, but we were unable to add more goals which drove us into risks and we ended up conceding two goals ourselves.'

What are your thoughts?

'You can't win a game without scoring more goals than the other team, that's what I think. However, it's all about experience and we are a very young team that has absolutely smashed this season, that was anything but easy.'

What's next?
'Home game against Oxted, who were being very loud hosts the first time round, cheering when someone mistrapped the ball etc... Of course, we don't want that type of support, but would be great to get some loud supporters at Blatch this Saturday at 12.'

Thank you Bara. Is there anything else you would like to add?

'Yes, I would like to thank to my team for giving me a DoD for getting a green card, even though Dina finished the game with an unplayable stick! Next, to Livy for stopping short corners so well that I could score with a flick, also to Emily for coming back from injury and scoring the second, and finally to Abby Furber who not long ago played for the 4s and now is getting MoM in the 1s.’

BHHC 2s 1
Lewes 2s 0

Georgie Smith reports: "This was a must win game. That message was not lost on us after a motivational text from Wendy the night before and a ‘battle to the end’ team talk in the changing room. As we stepped out onto the pitch the rain still pouring, spirits were up and we were feeling confident.

Within the first five minutes we managed to score off a slick short corner routine, which would not look out of place in the EHL. It really was a battle for the first half, but with some beautiful passing play through the middle, thanks to Bills, Lauren and Joey we managed to stay in the lead going into half time. The second half was tough. The sun had appeared and Lewes were pushing, they were awarded four short corners but thankfully Emily, aka The Great Wall of China, kept the ball out the back of the net.

The second half was a challenge especially as the umpire was making questionable decisions. But this did not fluster us one bit. We were on fire today and finished the game winning 1-0. It was a pleasure to play side by side with such an outstandingly talented group on women, bring on next week.

MoM: Izzy M - solid performance in the D.
DoD: Georgie - mentioning her shock at not getting MoM after scoring the goal."

BHHC 3s 0
Guildford 2s 3

Alex Smart reports: “L3s always enjoy playing top of the league and this was no exception. Everyone raised their game and gave it 100%.

After a wet Wednesday training with a big focus on marking, we weren’t really sure what the formation of the opposition was, but did a great job following our players around and being really annoyingly close.

Jess had secured PoM by half-time for some arcade-style reaction game where she batted balls away at all angles, supported by Beth and her trademark goalline saves. Redders hugged the left side of the pitch and showed great skill with her one-handed dribbling up the line. Unfortunately someone with a whistle disagreed about whether the ball was on the line.

Alex made a return to right back and got more ball time than normal, as opposed to running laps up and down the pitch in midfield. Bish was a very welcome addition in centre back, thwarting multiple circle entries. Super sub Isolda arrived just in time to make life difficult for the opposition and chuck some aerials.

Liv was a Duracell bunny in centre mid, effectively disrupting play coming towards us, and Becca had bundles of energy despite dedicating her morning to trimming a bush. Juliet had a thoroughly enjoyable time in left mid, so much so, she just didn’t want to leave. Ellen played in multiple positions, always available for a pass and making dynamic runs singing Wendy’s mantra, “1, 2, 3, the ball hasn’t come to me.”

On the few occasions we had a successful counter attack, we looked strong going forward, helped by Gayle’s super sprints and Aoife’s first touch carrying the ball several metres past the opposing back line.

Our first goal scoring opportunity was a classic Whiting one v one. As she reached top D to get a shot off, a defender caught up to the ball and kicked it out of the way. Despite the ball making its way to the back line, ‘advantage’ was played and no corner awarded.

The second close goal was a strong rebound at the top of the D from Liv with great power towards goal but sadly just wide. The third almost goal was a well worked penalty corner where Jo parted the defensive waves with an almost right slip, sending the ball straight to goal instead for Becca to deflect into the goal. At least half of the ball made it past the goalline but alas, it was retrieved by a defender before the call was given for a goal. The score therefore was actually 3 - 0.5.

Some solid defending kept the score respectable and some bad luck in front of goal kept us in second place. Investments for next season: goalline technology and jacket potatoes (recurring request).”

Other results
Horsham 4s 3 BHHC 4s 1
BHHC 5s 3 Worthing 1s 3
BHHC 6s 5 Middleton 2s 0
South Downs 2s 3 BHHC 7s 7
BHHC 8s 4 Middleton 3s 0