This week’s episode is feline themed, not because we planned it, but because it happened and we leaned into it.

Our co host is Rascal, inspirational black cat, silent judge, and spiritual leader of chaos. Our conversation is with Poppie and Lexi, who arrive as a pair, warm up as a pair, and now apparently hunt as a pair.

Before the game even started, the cat energy was already present. Beatrice’s bedtime sleepy toy is also a cat. A black cat. Which feels important and explains the tone shift once we woke up.

Lexi arrived with a story from the night before. According to Lexi, she was attacked in her sleep by a wild animal named Margo. According to Poppie, this was a domestic cat gently checking if Lexi was alive by poking her in the eye. As ever, Poppie keeps Lexi grounded. Lexi, however, woke up possessed by cat instincts, sharp turns, stealth, and the ability to appear where defenders least expect her.

We arrived on time and organised, but it’s important to be honest, we did not settle well. The first fifteen minutes were scrappy. Chelmsford took the lead from a penalty corner in the 19th minute.

Then we woke up.

At 24 minutes, Emily McCarthy scored from the left at an angle that should not exist. One of those goals where everyone pauses and accepts that physics has briefly left the building.

At 31 minutes, we struck again. From the right, another ridiculous angle, finished by me with a first class assist from Lexi. Slipped through a gap that wasn’t really there. Very cat behaviour.

From there, the defence decided that was enough.

Ali stayed alert and calm.
Lines stayed tight.
Clearances were clean.
Pressure was managed properly.

Special mention, loud and clear, to Emmeline. One to watch and, more than that, a genuine game changer. She steps onto the pitch and the game shifts. Brave passing, excellent awareness, multiple goal line saves, and an ability to raise the tempo instantly. She absorbs feedback, applies it immediately, and improves in real time. We are genuinely excited by her potential.

Ros is playing exceptionally well right now. Strong, switched on, and influential, she’s making things happen wherever she’s needed and doing it with confidence.

Second half, we controlled the game better. Lexi spread play, found space, and caused problems all over the pitch.

And then there was Poppie.

Poppie never stopped. Once she gets going, she is a juggernaut. At one point she chased a ball all the way to the sideline, did not slow down, did not acknowledge boundaries, and ran straight into the sin bin bench. I did not casually step aside. I moved for my own safety. The bench physically lifted off the ground. The ball was still in play. Poppie was unfazed. Chelmsford were rattled. The bench never fully recovered.

Poppie and Lexi are game changers in different ways. They bring pace, intent, and belief, and when they’re on the pitch the opposition feels it immediately.

At 34 minutes of the second half, we sealed it. Jen swept home from the top, calm, composed, and captain like, again assisted by Lexi. Clean, confident, and exactly what was needed.

Big love to the forwards today. There is something deeply satisfying about everyone up front getting on the scoresheet. Emily, me, and Jen all finding goals, pressure shared, confidence flowing, and a proper team effort.

Defensively, we were disciplined, organised, and solid once we settled.

Lexi took Player of the Match, deserved.
Poppie took Dick of the Day, inevitable.

A personal note, I used to teach both Poppie and Lexi. Watching them now, driving games, making decisions, and playing fearless hockey is genuinely brilliant.

We went into the game mid table, and finished exactly where we deserved to be. Solid, earned, and deserved.

Killer cats.
Killer swings.
Killer bench.

Next week, we make the long trek to Braintree to take on the top of the league, no fear, full intent.

Spicy Spicy.
Episode 12.
The podcast nobody asked for.
Shireen