The Womens 1st XI team travelled to Alton with high hopes this weekend. With the captain and a few regular players missing, Portsmouth put out a completely new team that were yet to play together! Despite this, Saturday’s captain Doc (Zoe Wimshurst) shared some wise words in the pre-match huddle to encourage the urge to have fun, and get some points on the board!

Portsmouth applied the pressure from the off, having Alton pressed in their defending 25 within the first 10 minutes. Nikki Vellacott put Portsmouth in the lead, winning a short corner and ultimately getting the deflection from the right post.

Alton fought back hard and with a few shots on goal, eventually put the ball in the net, ending the first half 1-1.

With a team talk from coach Chris Wimshurst, Portsmouth started the second half ready for revenge.

With lots of plays down the right side, and some back and forth running on the pitch, both teams were getting tired. A quick hit out from Emily Crowcroft built its way up the pitch to Katie Spooner, who put us 2-1 up, with a flawless hit into the back of the net.

The game was nowhere near over though, as Alton fought back yet again, managing to overload Portsmouth’s defending four and level the game one more time.

Shortly after, an Alton player was injured, allowing Portsmouth to gather themselves and reset with only 6 minutes to go.

Portsmouth put on the pressure, keen to get one final goal. Keira Falla held the ball in the D, winning Portsmouth their final short corner. With an injection from Falla, Zoe Wimshurst slipped the ball to Emily Crowcroft, who struck the ball straight into the bottom corner, putting Portsmouth in the lead once and for all.

Despite the banana peels that must have been on the pitch, causing Portsmouth players to slip up and drop their stick through the match, Portsmouth held their own against Alton, finishing the match with a 3-2 win and a happy Kezia Winter!

Player of the Match went to Keira Falla for her impeccable ability to keep the ball on the end of her stick under pressure, and the amazing level of effort she put into the game this weekend.