Match Reports
Day 1 – Canterbury v Glasgow Western (Scottish) Won 5-0
Canterbury started their European campaign against Glasgow with some fantastic possession play against a half court press. This allowed Canterbury to gain a 3 – 0 lead by half time, with all three goals coming from the on-form Cathy Gilliat-Smith including a well taken penalty stroke.
After half time Glasgow stepped up the pressure and forced Canterbury to play slightly deeper. However Canterbury kept overall control of the game and continued to play some sweet hockey. This was rewarded with two further goals, another for Gilliat-Smith and one for Susie Townsend following some good footwork. Final score 5-0.
Day 2 – Canterbury v Old Alexandra (Irish) Won 3-1
Once again Canterbury was faced with a team playing a tight half court press to try and limit their penetration into the attacking circle. However, Canterbury kept a disciplined structure and moved the ball around the defence and midfield with elegance. Eventually 20 minutes into the first half the first opportunity arose from a quick free hit with Mel Cluelow playing a one two with Nikki Triggs, before sweetly slotting the ball home.
Just after the break goal number two came from Jen Wilson who picked up a rebound off the corner strike of Cluelow, firing the ball past the goal keeper. Canterbury continued to play the ball around, with the forward line continuously leading to break gaps in the oppositions defence.
Lucy Barnes then found herself scoring her first European goal for Canterbury to give the Green and whites a three – nil lead. The goal came from another well worked one two between Triggs and Cluelow which was then dummied through the legs of Cluelow to Barnes who fired home from the top of the circle. Final score 3-0.
Day 3 – Canterbury v Rot Wels Koln (Germans) Lost 2-1
The most disappointing day Canterbury Ladies 1st Eleven have experienced! To be out-classed on the pitch and lose a game is easy to understand, but to dominate over a team with some outstanding hockey and yet sill lose, is the hardest thing to swallow.
Canterbury took an early lead from a superb corner strike by Cluelow past the foot side of the German goal keeper, within the first 5 minutes of the game. Then unfortunately were unable to capitalise on a fantastic break down the left side of the pitch. This was initiated by Kirsty Chambers who took a quick free hit from edge of the defensive circle to find Gilliat-Smith on the wing, who then found Wilson in the attacking circle. Wilson lifted the ball around the sliding keeper to the far post where unfortunately the fast approaching Susannah Townsend was unable to steer the ball into the open goal!
Back up the other end of the pitch, goal keeper Becky Duggan was showing a top class performance with a double save from a German short corner. However, then just two minutes before half time a low drag flick from the top of the circle to Duggan’s right allowed the Germans to get back into the game.
Canterbury came out for the second half with all guns blazing winning a short corner within minutes of the restart. Using the Cluelow / Triggs combo at the top of the circle the ball fell short to Hayley Brown who was just unable to get the final touch towards goal. Canterbury were beginning to think it was not going to be their day when another superb chance again from the work between Chambers and Townsend went astray.
Then came the big blow to Canterbury with only 5 minutes remaining on the clock, the Germans made a break down the left side of the pitch crossing the ball deep into the circle where they managed to get a touch to deflect the ball past Duggan.
The last few minutes Canterbury frantically tried to counter attack but the German team were then in full control and cleverly played in the corners of the pitch to run the time down. Huge disappointment as the final whistle was blown – Canterbury deserved a place in the final the following day but instead found themselves playing off for the Bronze medal. It was a game that showed just how thin line is between winning and losing!
Day 4 – Canterbury v Amsterdam (Dutch) Bronze medal match Lost 2-1
In Canterbury’s European history they were yet to beat a Dutch side, and so Canterbury we determined to change that this year and at least go home with a bronze medal. However, the game did not start as planned and Canterbury found themselves a goal down within the first 2 minutes. This goal came from a break down the right side with an initial save from Duggan but then was unable to stop the rebound as Amsterdam pounced on the ball.
Canterbury continued to be put under pressure and Duggan again pulling off some fine saves to keep them in the game. Then the equaliser came for Canterbury on 26 minutes with Rachel Walsh penetrating the attacking circle from deep in left half to then fire the ball into the bottom left of the goal. 1-1. Simple!
Hope was restored in the changing room at half time with an all or nothing speech from Clewlow who through her international career has found her in this situation many times.
However, back out on the pitch Amsterdam were also unwavering and put the pressure on again with a penalty corner won in the thirty seventh minute. Once again Duggan was equal to them with a fine save. The pressure against for Canterbury and the inevitable second goal came for the Dutch side from a manoeuvre down the base line with their forward finding a gap between Duggan and the post. 2-1 down.
Canterbury suffered another blow shortly after the goal with Nikki Triggs injuring her left knee and unable to take any further part in the game.
Canterbury continued their effort and in the 69th minute were awarded their first attacking short corner of the game. This was the moment… could Canterbury score in the final minute to take the game to penalty strokes…
Gilliat-Smith pulled the ball out to Nat Seymour at the top of the circle…the ball was then slipped to Barnes on the left… Barnes fired the ball in towards the keeper… the initial shot saved and the ball was loose… in desperation to score three Canterbury players pounced on the ball… the final attempt… and the ball rolled past the far post! It wasn’t to be!
Canterbury finished fourth! It was an emotional end to a great tournament and despite the scores Canterbury had played some of their finest hockey.
Congratulations to Becky Duggan who was awarded goal keeper of the tournament for her outstanding performances in the last two games.
And as small consolation Canterbury were awarded the ‘Fair Play Award’ for the tournament.
Squad:
Mel Clewlow, Beckie Duggan, Rachel Walsh, Lucy Barnes, Jen Milne, Nic Joy, Lucy Stewart, Georgie Kemsley, Jen Wilson, Nikki Triggs, Nat Seymour, Kirsty Chambers, Cathy Gilliat-Smith, Hayley Brown, Susannah Townsend, Tash Brennan, Sarah Kerly, Jen Vincent.
Manager: Simon Triggs
Coach: Paul Bundy
Physio: Jim Marshall
Technical assistant: Martin J Southam