This season’s opening peregrination saw Blues travel to Calthorpe Park, home of Fleet Town Girls. Our hosts, who finished an impressive third last year, harbour credible ambitions of improving their placing this time round.

From the off Blues knew they had a game on their hands; Fleet’s stature, athleticism and organisation proving a formidable combination. Blues, though, showed great determination which was rewarded when Alice, latching on to Beth’s through-ball, whipped in a tantalising cross and after a mad melee, more akin to pinball machines, our very own wizard, Sophie O’Rourke, sure played a mean pinball to give Blues the lead.

The travelling faithful whooped euphorically, only to be out-whooped almost immediately by the home supporters, as Fleet powered their way up the pitch to level the scores. I do not use the word ‘up’ lightly, for if a boat had such a list it would surely have sunk. Indeed, it was eerily mentioned the ghostly aspiration of Captain Smith could be heard shouting ‘Abandon Ship!’ as he paced Titanic’s bridge.

Unperturbed, Blues battled on. Katie, Niamh, and Georgia made a series of fine blocks and tackles. Jemima threw herself fearlessly at the feet of marauding forwards.

Blues ventured forward with a quick, dynamic move involving Sophie, Alice and Tayla, which forced a corner.

Half-time approaching, Fleet won a corner and fate dealt a cruel blow as it was deflected past Jemima.

After the break, Fleet, using the slope to maximum affect, besieged Blues in and around their area, scoring two goals in the process, effectively killing off the contest.

Blues did rally and forced a corner, Niamh’s kick rebounding off a defender to reduce the deficit to 4-2.

Fleet, though, were too strong and as Blues tired they added a further two goals to complete their tally.

We must now pick ourselves up and dust ourselves down. Beaten and muddy, perhaps, but we’ll be back next week. Hurrah the Blues!

TWJ