Goals:
Emily McCarthy (2’)
Darcy (12’, 39’)
Shireen (21’)
Jen (45’)

Player of the Match: Ali
Dick of the Day: Shireen

Today’s conversation is with Ros.

Now before we even get into the hockey, it is important to point out that this weekend is Ros’s birthday weekend.

And every year, around her birthday, Ros receives a rather unique gift.

Manure.

Yes, manure.

Because Ros is a keen and committed gardener. Fruit, vegetables, soil, compost, plants - you name it, she loves it. She nurtures gardens the same way she nurtures this team.

Which feels very appropriate for today’s theme.

Wisdom.

Ros was born in 1969, which means she brings something to this squad that you simply cannot teach - experience. But what makes Ros special is that she somehow also has a case of Benjamin Button syndrome.

She appears to age backwards.

While bringing the youth through, encouraging younger players and developing the squad, she somehow manages to keep getting younger herself.

And there is another small detail that makes today particularly fitting.

Because today is March the 14th.

Pi Day.

3.14.

Now for most people that might mean very little.

But Ros studied maths at university and is an accountant, so technically speaking this day was always meant to belong to her.

The mathematics.
The logic.
The numbers.

And now apparently the manure deliveries as well.

What a time to be Ros and be part of this squad.

I asked Ros about the squad and she said something that really stuck with me. She said we have a lovely mix of young players coming through, and that the balance in the team feels right.

Now do not make the mistake of thinking that because she says things like that she is preparing to hang up the mouth guard.

On the contrary.

If anything, it pushes her to work harder, run harder, and lead the way.

And let’s not forget, Ros is not just a defender.

Avid listeners of the pod will know she is also a goal scorer and a utility player. In fact I think the only position she hasn’t played this season is goalkeeper.

So watch out Ali.

She might be coming for your gloves.

Now on to the hockey.

This was our penultimate game of the season and our final home game, and the conditions were perfect. A lovely sunny afternoon, a 1:30 pushback, and a very relaxed atmosphere all round.

We also welcomed Zara back from her travels, which gave us a strong fourteen.

Before our match even started the men’s threes had just been promoted, having won their league, so huge congratulations to them. The clubhouse was already buzzing.

And then the hockey began.

We did not waste much time getting started.

Inside the first two minutes, Emily McCarthy opened the scoring with a tidy finish to make it 1-0.

A very confident start.

Shortly after that, in the 12th minute, Darcy added the second with a brilliant goal to make it 2-0.

Momentum firmly with us.

Then in the 21st minute, I managed to add another, pushing the score to 3-0 and giving us a strong early lead.

Of late Emily and I have been linking up really well up front. The movement between us feels natural, the passes are finding their way through, and when it works it looks and feels very good.

Waltham Forest did manage to pull one back before half time, leaving us 3-1 up at the break.

Comfortable, but nothing in hockey is ever safe.

Then Waltham Forest tried a tactical switcheroony.

They moved their full back up into centre forward, which we assumed was meant to cause us problems.

And for a moment we thought it might.

But before that could really take effect, Darcy struck again in the 39th minute, finishing her second of the day to make it 4-1.

Then came a lovely finish from Jen in the 45th minute, calmly slotting home to take us to 5-1.

However Waltham Forest did not roll over.

They scored two quick goals in succession, which suddenly made things feel a little uncomfortable.

You could feel the nerves creeping in.

A little bit of squeaky bum time.

But the team stayed calm, and Ali was working incredibly hard in goal, coming out quickly, making big saves, and generally doing far more work than I was comfortable watching.

I distinctly remember thinking, Ali is working far too hard for my liking.

Which makes it no surprise that Player of the Match went to Ali, and very deservedly so.

This was also Ali’s final game of the season with us, so a brilliant way for her to finish.

Now we must address the most unexpected moment of the afternoon.

The pitch invasion.

At some point during the match - and I am still not entirely sure how I missed this while playing - a duck flew onto the pitch.

Not just any duck.

A male mallard.

He landed confidently and parked himself in our attacking half, just sitting there like he had paid for a ticket.

Was he lost?

Had he mistaken Southend for South America on his migration route?

Had he simply heard about the quality of hockey on offer and fancied a closer look?

We may never know.

What I do know is that even with a duck invading the pitch, it somehow still did not stop me from receiving Dick of the Day.

Which feels harsh, frankly.

After the final whistle we returned to the clubhouse where the atmosphere was fantastic.

Emily had prepared the teas, which were exceptional.

Pasta bake.
Garlic bread.

And Ros had brought along her famous not-too-sweet cakes, because as we all know Ros does not really approve of overly sweet desserts.

The clubhouse was buzzing, everyone stayed behind, and votes came in thick and fast.

We were also joined by Emily, seasoned player and now proud mum, who had popped in with the newest addition after giving birth just three weeks ago.

Her feet are already itching to get back onto the pitch.

And I cannot wait for the return of Shiremily.

It has been a long season without it.

So that was Episode 17.

A sunny afternoon.
A solid win.
A duck pitch invasion.
And a mathematician gardener reminding us that wisdom and experience still run the show.

This has been Spicy Spicy
Episode 17 - The Pitch Invasion

The podcast nobody asked for.
Shireen