It was a challenging trip to Manchester for The Downs this weekend, having struggled to get a full squad together for the away fixture against Trafford. However, the players who made the journey really stepped up, showing tremendous commitment, determination and adaptability.
With limited defensive options available, both Evie Sherwin from Leatherhead and Lauren Godden from Epsom did a cracking job. Godden, who stepped in at the last minute and drove all the way to Manchester on Sunday morning, was deservedly awarded Opposition Player of the Match.
Sherwin, who had never played Goal Keeper before, took on the challenge of playing the position in a Premier League fixture. Playing an instinctive game, she attacked the ball with real aggression and caused all sorts of havoc for the opposition, earning herself Coach’s Player of the Match.
The Downs fought hard throughout the game, closing the gap to just two goals during the second quarter. It was also great to see up and coming young player Phoebe take to the court at Goal Attack towards the end of the third quarter, putting in a sterling performance through to the final whistle.
Whilst it wasn’t the result we wanted, The Downs gained a valuable point to move into eighth place in the Premier League table, just one point behind Trafford. Arguably the hardest-fought point of the season so far, it keeps us firmly in the reckoning as we head towards the second half of the season.
In two weeks’ time, The Downs will welcome Academy at home, when we look forward to having our full squad back together, with players returning from injury and international training camps.
A huge well done to all the players who made the journey to Manchester and stepped up for their club. A special thank you must also go to Debbie Taylor and our management team who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to get the team to Manchester, ensuring all the players were registered and ready to take to the court. So much of what goes into delivering a Premier League fixture goes unseen, and Debbie’s dedication and commitment to the team are invaluable. She really is the backbone of this team.
Opposition Player of the Match: Lauren Godden
Coach’s Player of the Match: Evie Sherwin
Evie Sherwin
