Dawlish Find a Return to Form

After a disappointing start to the season, Dawlish Ladies are yet to record a victory despite some strong performances, started against Exe V on Saturday with only ten players and things were not looking like improving. A ten man Dawlish took to the field determined but not optimistic of recording their first win of the season.
It was however clear after a few minutes that despite only having ten players on the field Dawlish were the stronger side and were controlling the game with ease. Before Dawlish could begin to capitalise on their strong start a young Exe player was injured with a ball off her own stick resulting in a large cut on her face. Dawlish Keeper and joint captain Sarah Webster took the stop in play as an opportunity for a quick rally call to the Dawlish team that this game was for the taking.
When play was under way Dawlish took control of the game quickly again, a strong run from Lottie Young into the D and Helen Nicholson ensured that the ball found the back of the goal to open the scoring.
The Dawlish Midfield completely controlled the rest of the first half with Exe unable to get out of their own half. Jess Green was unlucky not to add to the first goal with some great attacking play in the middle. With the pressure continuing on the Exe backs Helen Nicholson was forced to the defense line and shot a ball back into the Exe goal to make it 2-0 at half time.
Dawlish were able to start the second half with a full team when Amy Reed joined the side and added to the Dawlish forward line with an accomplished performance for such a young player. Dawlish continued to dominate the game holding possession well in the midfield and it was not long before Helen Nicholson, who is starting to find her form again after being out all last season with a knee injury, got her third of the day.
Following an injury Jess Green had to leave the pitch leaving Dawlish once again a man down and a loss of concentration allowed Exe a consolation goal. But the game finished with a final goal for Dawlish, having worked hard all afternoon Grace Clifford made a great run into the D to convert Anne Darby’s cross. So it was a happy Dawlish side that left the pitch having hopefully found their form for the season.

A Frustrating Morning for Dawlish Ladies

A strong Dawlish side took the trip down to sunny Torbay to face an unknown quantity in newly demoted Paignton in their second league game of the season.
Dawlish started well and it quickly became clear that this young Paignton side were lacking experience. Dawlish were camped in the Paignton defensive final quarter for 90 percent of the first half. The Dawlish half line controlled the game feeding the ball back to the Dawlish forwards each time Paignton tried to get the ball out of their back line.
But despite the constant pressure of the Dawlish forwards with some very good position play they were unable to take advantage of all the pressure and convert it into the lead that they deserved. Yvonne Hudson came closest in the first half with a great reverse stick flick that went into the side netting.
Dawlish started the second half in control of the game maintaining position and putting the Paignton defence under constant pressure. But the young Paignton side remained solid at the back and the heat and frustration started to show in the Dawlish side. Completely against the play Paignton broke down the Dawlish defence and a loose ball across Dawlish goal deflected against a defending player wrong footing goalie Sarah Webster and putting the home team ahead.
A shocked Dawlish side once again found their control of the game and with strong runs from the midfield the Dawlish forwards were forcing short corners and constant pressure on the Paignton goal. Jess Green came agonisingly close and it seemed that on any other day she would have easily had a hat trick. Helen Nicholson and Lottie Young were both unable to give Dawlish the score line they deserved despite a number of great chances.
Dawlish continued to pressure right up until the final whistle with great attacking play on the right from Gemma Wilkes and Anne Darby. However the final whistle came and an extremely frustrated Dawlish team were left to question how they were unable to capitalise in a match where they were clearly the better side.

Positive Start to Dawlish Ladies Season

Dawlish Ladies hockey team’s season started with a local derby last Saturday against Teignmouth II. The local derby is always a strongly fought contest and this match did not disappoint.

Dawlish had to make some tough decisions before the game due to injures and central midfielders Lottie Young and Natasha Bailey started at the back leaving the Dawlish team with a hole to fill in the middle with influential Young filling in at the back.
Dawlish started strongly and the experimental back line kept Teignmouth from making anything from their breaks forward. The one opportunity they did break they Dawlish Keeper Sarah Webster pulled out one of her trade mark diving saves to keep the score even.
Dawlish forwards continued to pressure the Teignmouth defence and not long before the end of the half won a short corner. Yvonne Hudson took the short with a strong pass to Helen Nicholson on the top of the D, who returned the gesture with a hit to Hudson on the far post. Hudson completed the move by tapping the ball into the Teignmouth goal and Dawlish finished the first half a goal up.

The second half had much more of a local derby feel and as the rain continued to pour down the hockey became less attractive and more scraby.
Dawlish were slow off the whistle and minutes into the second half Teignmouth had levelled the scores to 1-1. Teignmouth took advantage of Dawlish drop in concentration and ten minutes into the second half took the lead with a second goal.

Dawlish came back to life in the final quarter showing some great palys through the midfield to feed Jess green and Stevie Hudson forcing a succession of Dawlish short corners. But despite coming close and hitting the posts twice Dawlish failed to level the score as the games stick tackle count continued to rise.
Although disappointed by the score line and some of the decisions in the second half Dawlish can look forward to a positive season on the basis of this game.