Fresh from a whole week off, the girls came back in with a couple of strong sessions this week.

The mood around camp was positive and even though there had to be a last minute withdrawal from a friendly training game on Wednesday night, the two sessions, filled with game-play were very well received by the girls.

Missing the talismanic pairing of Leah Wilkinson and Sarah Jones in training was never going to be ideal but the preparations couldn’t have been much better as the girls went into a crucial game at the weekend with the chance to put some room between themselves and the chasing pack.

For the girls, Saturday was almost the perfect win.

If there was to be one criticism of the side last year, it was that we struggled to create any real meaningful connections in the final third. As such, goals were at a premium and often cost us points.

As Kev said in the match report, to score 4 open play goals in one game is a fantastic effort and testament to the work that has been put into that aspect of the game in particular.

Add to that the fact that the two crucial goals to secure the points came from two juniors that have come through the system at Holcombe and it makes for a very exciting insight into the future.

It takes a very different kind of junior player to score and compete in the Premier League than it does to have a run in the single system. I know which side of the fence I would rather be on and to see the girls scoring again this weekend against a quality side like Clifton is great for everyone involved in the club.

The girls are now perfectly positioned, tucked in behind perennial champions Surbiton with a mouth-watering game at Sugden Road to finish the first half of the season.

As long as we keep playing with the intensity and quality that we’re showing then the points will naturally take care of themselves.

For us, the preparation for such a big game probably wasn’t ideal – playing the two sides at the bottom of the league has allowed some bad habits to creep into our game, despite dropping 11 on Canterbury and Loughborough.

We knew the need to step up ahead of Sunday’s clash with EG but that is often easier said than done, a principle evident in our training this week.

In spite of this, the vibe around the group this week has been strong. As always, some questionable chat has been accompanied by the emergence of the Real Slim Shady and we’re developing a greater understanding of our individual and collective games.

Thursday night saw Kevin Durant face his old side Oklahoma City with the Warriors. Sunday saw Ash Jackson return to Holcombe Park with East Grinstead.

Despite the obvious differences, there are a number of similarities to be drawn from events such as this; both are elite players on the global stage, fundamental contributors to any side in the world. KD is a multiple NBA Scoring Champion – Ash is GB’s all-time leading goal scorer (by some way).

Those familiar with the game in question will be aware that mid-contest, some choice words were exchanged between Kevin Durant and the OKC bench, namely Ennis Canter.

The commentary of the moment pretty much sums it up;

“You do not wanna wake a giant.”

Said giant then went ahead and dropped 39 points on his former teammates (that’s a lot, for those of you unfamiliar with the sport) in a blowout Golden State win.

Unlike Thursday, Ash returned to his home club, effectively reversing the KD trade. But on Sunday there was no protection with the home comforts of Saint Hill, which if anything, made him more dangerous.

We were obviously aware of the threat that he posed but as with everything at Holcombe; we protect home.

By and large, the whole game was managed extremely well on our part. Our organisation and team defence was back to the levels that we expect and we minimised any clear cut chances for them or Ash to hurt us.

Particularly in the second half, we were ruthlessly efficient in our offence and produced some of the best stats of the season with regards to outcomes and upgrades in the final third.

We’re never the kind of group that gets carried away but it’s a positive step towards finishing off this first half of the race strongly. EG have shown themselves to be a strong side so far this year so to negate their threats and protect home is huge for us.

It’s good to get back into the swing of things with a ‘proper’ performance this weekend.

All eyes to the north next week for a big double header.

Winter is coming.

@BandurakWriting on Twitter or via www.nickbandurakblog.wordpress.com

Pictures supplied by www.groutphotography.co.uk