Given that our last away game involved a long journey, dreadful weather and ended in a poor performance, I was more than a little apprehensive about this weekends trip to Milton Keynes to play Tattenhoe. My worry lines weren’t helped by an awful BBC Weather forecast (it was wrong as it transpired) and that due to various reasons were down to the bare 9 come Saturday morning. On arrival we found the pitch to be on a slight slope with a fairly stiff breeze blowing downhill. With this in mind, we decided that we were probably better served playing uphill and into the wind in the 1st half whilst everyone was feeling fit and strong. Our master tactician (Gavin) suggested playing Caitlin as a defensive midfielder which she approached in her usual manner (smiling, uncomplaining and enthusiastic) It was a very even 1st half. I thought we defended superbly in the difficult conditions. Tattenhoe had an extremely tall girl who was a bit of a handful but our girls dealt with her very well. Caitlin and Hayley were excellent in midfield breaking up the play and keeping our shape. In fact I can only remember once Niamh being called into anything other than routine action when she saved a rifled shot from the edge of the box. All the while, we posed a threat on the break with Lauren’s pace and Amy’s craft on the wings. Grace was magnificent again, chasing down lost causes, holding the ball up and winning challenges that she had no right to win. We had a few opportunities to score. Amy hit a tremendous shot from miles out, into the wind, that just flew over. Caitlin had a header from a corner that just went wide (well done for heading it Caitlin!!.) Grace almost finished off a marvellous sweeping counter attack that started with Megan in defence with pinpoint passing from one side of the pitch to the other between Lauren and Amy. However, I was still pleased to get into H/T all square. There was plenty of talking and laughing at half time so I knew that the girls still had lot left in the tank!! Hayley’s heel was a bit sore which was a worry but I was hopeful of utilizing the conditions and going on to win. We started the 2nd half well. Annabel, Megan and Elia condensed the play by pushing up high and we forced Tattenhoe further and further back. From a short throw in Annabel hit a wonderful first time cross over everyone to the back post which Amy the poacher met perfectly with a first time volley into the empty net, 1-0. We were in control but we had a few moments of panic as the girls understandably tired. Therefore, I was pleased to get the insurance of a 2nd when Hayley won the ball and found Lauren who put through a defence splitting pass which Grace finished with calmness and composure, 2-0. That’s how it finished and whilst not out our fluent best, it was a massive improvement on our last away game. I was very proud of the effort the girls put in, they all worked very hard. We chose Caitlin as our player of the match, she was a revelation in central midfield. Tattenhoe chose Annabel who was rock solid as ever, captained the team very well and revealed a previously unseen prowess in the pinpoint crossing department Emoji