The opening game of the 2017/18 season saw a rematch of last years’ Play-Off Semi Final as third hosted second from the previous campaign.

With both fixtures fiercely contested and honours going to the away team on each occasion, Holcombe came into the game confident of repeating the feat this time around.

With a reduced squad and a number of debutants, the Kent side arrived at East Grinstead Sports Club to news that the home side were unable to water the pitch due to ‘technical difficulties’.

Amid considerable confusion and uncertainty, it came to new Holcombe Head Coach Leigh Maasdorp to propose the facilities at Tonbridge School, her own place of work, in order to fulfil the fixture.

With a subsequently delayed start time, both teams came out of the blocks firing as they looked to stamp their authority on both the fixture and the season in the opening exchanges. The home side enjoyed the majority of territory and would have been ahead had it not been for a combination of debutants Jo Westwood and Rose Thomas in goal to prevent the ball crossing the goal line in a goal mouth scramble mid-way through the first period.

The Sussex outfit continued to push forward and won a series of penalty corners as the half wore on. Good running from Emma Trunks negated the majority of direct attempts and strong work from Rose Thomas denied any clear cut opportunities.

With time running down at the end of the first half, a breakaway backhand strike from Dirkie Chamberlain, another Holcombe debutant, provided the best chance of a cautious and tactical opening period for the Kent side.

The second half began as the first half ended with East Grinstead enjoying the majority of territory and forcing Holcombe deeper and deeper into their own half.

A barrage of penalty corners were again well monitored by the Holcombe defensive unit as they looked to absorb the considerable pressure before launching counter attacks of their own.

Just 10 minutes into the second half however and East Grinstead were awarded a penalty stroke. A second phase penalty corner struck Leah Wilkinson on the line, leaving the umpire no choice but to point to the spot. Senior Great Britain International Ellie Rayer stepped up only to see her strike turned on to the inside of the post by a diving Rose Thomas in the Holcombe goal.

As the half wore on, Holcombe continued to defend the edge of their circle valiantly and negate any clear cut opportunities to their Sussex rivals. As East Grinstead continued to push forward, some strong attacking play from Ellie Watton and Sarah Jones provided a series of counter-attack opportunities but the final pass cost Holcombe the opportunity to claim a late winner.

Speaking after her first game in charge of Holcombe, new Head Coach Leigh Maasdorp said of the 0-0 draw; “Having watched the video back, we had some really good patterns of play and played some positive stuff to give us plenty to build on in the coming weeks.”

Next weekend, Holcombe Women welcome the University of Birmingham, another Play-Off side from the 2016/17 season, to Holcombe Park in the first Home National Premier League game of the campaign.

Image courtesy of Grout Photography