Ladies 1^st XI Thumping of Epsom!

A fantastic afternoon for the Reigate Priory Ladies 1^st XI, who beat their local rivals, Epsom in a 4-1 drubbing at their home ground, Hartswood.

The 1^st XI are having their best season for a long time, currently 3^rd in the Surrey Premier league, looking for a 2^nd place finish, which will be their highest placing since the ladies section started!

A determined Reigate side set out to gain 3 points with a strong first half performance. Continuous pressure from the midfield and forwards forced a penalty corner early on, which was smoothly executed by a Stacy Shires stop and converted by Jane Williams. Reigate did not look back after this and some excellent team play ensued, with Kate Williams and Nicky Chapman linking up well in the middle. A long ball was fed through to striker Helen Parker who completed a strong run on the right, leaving the Epsom defence turned inside out and forced a penalty flick when it was cleared off the goal line by an Epsom players foot. J.Williams stepped up to convert the second score, which hit the back board like a bullet!

A very feisty first half was very nearly over when Corinne Daniel, back from a long injury spell stepped on the pitch and was immediately back to her attacking ways. Daniel broke away with the ball and was on target to score, but was taken out by the central Epsom defender forcing yet another penalty flick. On the stroke of half time Williams secured her hat trick by finding the bottom left corner of the goal leaving Reigate with a very healthy 3-0 lead.

Epsom did come out fighting in the second half and put pressure on the Reigate defence. Rachel Bate in goal made some fine saves and clearances, determined to keep a clean sheet. Then came a superb interception from Nicky Chapman in midfield, who started a Reigate attack and very nicely finished the attack with a cracking shot from a very acute angle to seal Epsoms fate.

Reigate found themselves down to 10 players on 2 occasions for not retreating far enough, which led to Epsom taking advantage and driving forward. They failed to convert their penalty corners, but managed to pull back a consolation goal in the last 10 minutes.