Today’s conversation is with Aimee

Today’s guest is Aimee - new defender, half season settled, and the squad’s newest claim to fame. Not because she’s the influencer. Not because she’s Essex famous. But because her boyfriend Tom is mates with LOS - Alexis Cassar himself - the TikTok legend behind the iconic “Come on!”

For the Ladies 3s, this is elite celebrity adjacency.
Switching-on-the-Rochford-Christmas-lights famous
Ribbon-cutting-at-a-mini-mart famous
Recognised-in-Asda famous

Important clarification
Tom did not shout “Come on!” today
He behaved completely normally
But the potential was there
And that alone grants Aimee full celeb status

She kept this quiet since September
Unforgivable
Yet forgiven
Because she brought cookies

Pre-match chaos

When Jen checked the lineup this morning, it had already gone out of date.

The reason?
Emily McCarthy broke her ankle attempting a gymnastic manoeuvre that can only be described as courageous but medically inadvisable.
LA 2028 may not be her destiny
But she delivered elite subs management on crutches
And we missed her on the pitch

To make things even messier
Three of us arrived straight from Emily Perryman’s baby shower
Deep in a sandwich-fuelled carb coma
The warm-up was digestion
Not ideal

The hockey: actual, proper hockey

Despite everything, we opened strongly.

Defence

Max, Aimee, Becky and Poppy formed the back line
Solid
Clear-minded
Organised

Max brought back her famous Max Smash
Aimee slotted in with timing and confidence
Becky controlled the baseline
Poppy shut down wide channels

Midfield

Ros worked tirelessly
Lexi and Amelia pressed hard
Shape was good
Communication was sharp
We genuinely played some lovely hockey

Upminster, top of the league for a reason, scored their first with a 20th minute field goal
Clean and clinical
But we remained organised

Compared to the 6 to 2 loss in September, this was a new squad entirely

Second half

We grew stronger again.

Aimee and Max read danger early
Becky and Poppy handled pressure calmly
Ali made strong, composed saves

Lexi was everywhere
Winning tackles
Driving transitions
Creating channels
Feeding the forwards
A clear and deserved Player of the Match

Upminster doubled their lead with a 50th minute penalty corner
Executed well
But we continued pushing despite the cold and the baby shower carb crash

Final act, final whistle

Their third came in the 70th minute, after full time, as they completed their final penalty corner.

The whole team piled in
Bodies behind the ball
Sticks down
Full commitment

We blocked phase one
We blocked phase two
We pressured phase three

And eventually it crept through
A tough end, but a strong defensive stand

We finish the half season fifth in the league
A brilliant position going into Christmas

Conversation with Aimee

Post match, pint in hand, cookies on the table, we talked.

She’s settled into the club perfectly
Loves the coaching
Loves the chaos
Loves the banter
And most importantly, keeps coming back
Which says everything

Meanwhile Tom, our quiet sideline celeb, radiated LOS-adjacent stardom without saying a word

Ros even invited him to Park Run next week, where he’ll apparently be blowing the opening whistle
Because that is what local celebs do now

Player of the Match

Lexi
Disciplined
Fearless
Outstanding

Final thoughts

We lost 3-0
But the progress
The organisation
The improvement
And the fight
Were all clear

Thank you to Aimee for the cookies and the conversation
Thank you to Tom for bringing celeb sparkle
Thank you to Jen for battling the hardest availability week of the season
Thank you to everyone who doubled up
And thank you to the squad for playing to the very last second

Festive sign-off

Before we wrap, I want to wish everyone in the Ladies 3s family a very happy Christmas and a brilliant New Year.
Rest up, stay warm, and enjoy the break — our bodies need it after everything we’ve put in this half of the season. The hockey has been intense, improving, chaotic in the best way, and full of real heart.

I’ll be taking a little holiday from the pod
Time to switch off
Recharge
And stop thinking about penalty corners for at least a week

If you do pick up a stick on Boxing Day
Perhaps enjoy it
No pressure
No structure
Just winter vibes and movement

Spicy Spicy will return in January
Refreshed
Ready
And absolutely raring for the second half of the season

Have a brilliant festive break
Thank you for every sprint, every tackle, every laugh, every warmup in the cold, and every bit of spicy chat

See you in 2026
Come on

Thanks,
Shireen