RAF Ladies' Match Reports - Update on 08/09 season

08/09 Top Goal Scorer!

With 5 goals, SAC Fee Chandler is this season’s top goal scorer, an excellent achievement in her first season with the RAF squad.

RAF Ladies V Ashford

Won 4-0

A great start to the season against an enthusiastic team who were performing well in their league. SAC Fee Chandler, in her first season for the RAF, started in fine style with a hat-trick of goals. The penalty corner routine practised repeatedly over the trg weekend prior to the match, finally paid off with SAC Ali Hucker scoring decisively from a well worked routine to make the final score 4-0.

RAF Ladies v Whitney

Lost 2-5

A hard fought game throughout, with a number of new players still finding their way in the RAF squad. An excellent debut from SAC Jess Wade, highlighted by a well-worked individual goal in the first half, showed the promise and potential the squad had for the season. SAC Fee Chandler continued to set the standard for goal scoring with yet another deflection from open play. Despite the loss, this game was a good run-out for the squad, emphasising the need to improve individual fitness levels and basic skills. Players were sent away to work on improving these over the Christmas break.

RAF Ladies’ v Spencer

Lost 3-4

Out first game of 2009 took place on a wet and windy day in late January. Spencer is a decent London side, well coached and performing well in their league. The RAF Ladies were in for a tough game. Spencer took an early lead in the match but the RAF soon settled and SAC Fee Chandler levelled the score within the first 15 mins. The RAF team was changed continually to give new players the opportunity to play in different positions and Spencer took their chances when the RAF squad were slightly unsettled. Flt Lt Carole McCullough scored a great deflection from Fg Off Neve Fletcher’s initial shot to take the score to 2-1. Spencer started the second half determined to show the RAF how they really played and they were soon up 3-2. Despite a hard working RAF defence, including new GK, Cpl Tara Pile, Spencer’s lead soon stretched to 4-2. The RAF girls kept up the pressure with Fg Off Emma Chaytor scoring her first goal for the RAF but the squad were unable to find the net to clinch the match, losing 4-3.

RAF Ladies’ v Harrow

Lost 0-3

An under strength side faced Harrow on another cold and windy night at Halton. Despite some well worked set play routines, the lack of substitutes and the toll of 2 days trg soon started to tell as the first half progressed. Harrow took advantage of some inexperienced defence to take a 2-0 lead at half time. The RAF squad re-grouped and, with some more direction from the coach, were able to play with more discipline and direction. Harrow went on to win the match 3-0 but this was a useful game for those RAF players that were available. The coach played a number of people out of position, weakening the squad but providing others with the opportunity to play a preferred position. It emphasised the need for better fitness, better communication throughout the squad and a better ‘first touch’. Not a good match to be part of but an excellent ‘wake-up call’ for all concerned.

RAF Ladies’ v RAF Odiham Men

Lost 1-9

Due to a last minute cancellation, the RAF Ladies’ managed to arrange a match against RAF Odiham. The competitive edge of the station team took over as they fielded a strong men’s side, including a number of RAF U23 players. This was a hard fought game, despite the scoreline, with a frenetic pace being maintained throughout. Our GK, Cpl Tara Pile, faced a flurry of high paced, lifted shots on target and the final scoreline doesn’t reflect the impressive amount of saves made. An excellent work-out for the squad; thanks again to the guys at Odiham for a great game.

RAF Ladies’ v Abingdon

Won 5-0

A decisive victory for the RAF squad following their final trg weekend prior to Inter-Services. Some excellent open play lead to Flt Lt Carole McCullough and SAC Katie Warren scoring 2 goals each, with a well worked penalty corner resulting in a final goal by Fg Off Neve Fletcher. Improvements in first touch, fitness and team cohesion were obvious and the squad were highly confident about their chances against the Army in the Inter-Services.

RAF V Civil Service

Lost 0-2

This annual fixture is often tainted by the lack of available players in the week prior to the Inter-Services. Nevertheless, despite a number of key players missing and those available being forced to play out of position, this was a very competitive match against strong opposition. GK Cpl Tara Pile was given a good work out prior to the Inter-Services and a number of set plays were practised and adjusted throughout the game. The Civil Service scored a goal in each half which was a fair reflection of the game. Changes to the fixtures programme next season should see this become a more viable fixture prior to the Inter-Services.