The ladies 1s faced Hailsham 1s last weekend in the first round in the Tier 1 Cup. With a handful of unavailability from the ladies 1s, multiple of the ladies 2s stepped up into the squad.

Maidstone initially took a blow within the first few minutes with a quick goal being scored by the opposition due to the team not setting correctly; this allowed a Hailsham player to have free reins to take a shot from the top of the D with no pressure applied. Throughout the game, the girls had to remind themselves that most of the team have not played together before and some were out of position.

For the remainder of the first half, game play was fairly even with the ball going end to end throughout. Maidstone cannot say they had no chances, the Hailsham keeper did an outstanding job and the score was left 1-0 to Hailsham going into the second half.

Second half saw Maidstone attack hard, Katie Swaffer (Gibbo) continued to execute great play and gave Maidstone opportunities to move forward. Phoebe Cocker (ladies 1s debut) also on many occasions threw off the Hailsham front line with her aerials.

Unfortunately, Maidstone were so focused on attacking that it allowed Hailsham to quickly turn over within 10 minutes, from this they executed a goal. Shortly after, another goal was produced by the opposition. The score was 3-0 to Hailsham.

Despite the dominative play by Hailsham, Lesley Price made the score 3-1 with a buildup from Alicia Grassom driving down the left where she slipped the ball between two defenders to Lesley around the P-spot. Lesley then first time sweated the ball, however this deflected off the keeper. Never the less, Lesleys’ quick thinking allowed her to run and catch the deflection, carry the ball around the keeper and place the ball into the goal. 3-1.

For a short while Maidstone had a spring in there step. However, a free pass was given to Hailsham just outside the Maidstone defending D. Hailsham aerialed the ball into the D and Hailsham struck the ball into back board. 4-1.

Maidstone did not slip into defeat and they continued to apply pressure. Georgia South secured a goal around 25 minutes into the second half, this was on the volley! The goal made it her first goal for the ladies 1s in her debut game and making the score like 4-2 to Hailsham.

Long story short, Hailsham did have one last word and they made the score 5-2. Hats must go off to the Hailsham player who scored all five goals. The score concluded at 5-2 to Hailsham. Fair? We thought so.

Player of the match went to Gibbo for all the effort she put into the game. On multiple occasions she ripped up the opposition with her skill and determination.

The ladies 1s will begin their fight for the Plate on the 14th December, opposition TBC. Therefore they now return to the league this week facing Blackheath & Ethamians 1s away.