My first game for the slough phantoms is away at Solihull. This team have been taking the league by storm while we have been 'resting' so everyone is really nervous about this one! A half an hour late start to our journey due to the windscreen wipers breaking on my new car didn't bode well for the rest of the day, then a stop at wetherby services and an impromptu chat with our ex teammates from Whitley bay left us worried about timings!
For the first time in hockey history...we were on time! Not just on time but EARLY! Never thought i'd see the day that I managed to get the jocks anywhere on time but my life's mission is now complete. Anyway on walking into the rink at Solihull had a lovely surprise being greeted by the legend that is Pat :) another good sign for the game! After a long change we finally got on the ice for our warm up. All a bit concerned about our ability to skate, pass and shoot due to not having iced since last season and a couple of pairs of new skates to break in the warm up...wasn't the best I've ever seen.
So, I'm first line and a bit nervous. A few minutes in after scoring our first goal I felt slightly better. Thanks Lou for doing the hard work for that one! Admittedly this upset Solihull and they equalised. At this point we realised we were here to actually fight for this game. We go ahead, they go ahead etc etc. At this stage, Gem opening her mouth, getting kicked out and two of our players receiving 10 minute majors is a challenge. Then some idiot scores from behind the goal line, off the keepers skate (flukiest goal I've ever scored) and slough finally found the net, ending the game at 7-4 to us and a 2+2 for me-that's not happened in a long, LONG time!
I can honestly say I've not enjoyed a game of hockey as much in years. I can only actually remember one girls game that I did enjoy as much as this one. Solihull are an awesome team and it was great to play against such talent, even better to beat them!
Great start slough, now just to keep it up for the next 4 months, I love my new team!
Away at streatham next week, bring it!