Back
Essex gain revenge on The Downs
Steve Wilks5 Feb 2017 - 10:57
Essex avenged their defeat in January with a comfortable win over The Downs at UEL today.
Regional League Division 1
Essex 57 The Downs 29
Having been defeated by The Downs in the first week of January Essex were determined to gain quick revenge as they continue in their quest to reach the Premier League play offs at the end of the year. Despite missing 3 key players, Essex were still able to field a strong line up illustrating the depth of their squad.As in recent games Essex started very slowly and found it difficult to establish control. In the centre court Jasmine Odeogberin, Isabella Morgan-Smith and Rebecca Wilks were having plenty of possession but Essex were unable to turn it into goals. Indeed goals were at a premium as after five minutes Essex had a slender 3-2 lead.
However The Downs were unable to contain Essex and once Leah Humphries and Maddie Oshodi started to find the net with regularity, Essex were able to accelerate away. Leading 3-2 Essex scored eight goals without reply to put themselves in a commanding position. At the end of the first quarter Essex led 14-4.
Having built up a substantial lead Essex were in no mood to give anything away and they started the second quarter playing at a tremendous pace which The Downs found difficult to live with. Essex scored 5 quick goals without reply as Humphries and Oshodi took advantage of lots of possession to stretch the Essex lead. In defence Zoie Humprey and Michelle Stewart were in commanding form and denying The Downs opportunities to hit back. Instead Essex piled on the pressure and totally dominated the second quarter scoring 20 goals whilst The Downs could only muster 5. At half time Essex led 34 -9 and to all intents and purposes the points were in the bag.
Essex were able to make changes in their team at half time and they introduced Leanne Spencer and Sarah Campbell. It took a little while to adjust to a new line up and The Downs enjoyed their best spell of the game. Indeed throughout the quarter it was end to end stuff and much more closely contested than the first half. The third quarter saw both sides score 11 goals each, but going into the final quarter of the game Essex had a healthy 45-20 lead.
With the points in the bag Essex did enough in the last quarter to increase their lead slightly but they never had to extend themselves. They continued to play good netball but without needing to raise their game. When the final whistle went Essex had enjoyed a comfortable 57 -29 victory and cemented their
position in runners up spot in Regional Division 1.
Stewart, Humphrey, Odeogberin, I Morgan-Smith, R Wilks, Humphries, Oshodi, Campbell, Spencer
Essex 57 The Downs 29
Having been defeated by The Downs in the first week of January Essex were determined to gain quick revenge as they continue in their quest to reach the Premier League play offs at the end of the year. Despite missing 3 key players, Essex were still able to field a strong line up illustrating the depth of their squad.As in recent games Essex started very slowly and found it difficult to establish control. In the centre court Jasmine Odeogberin, Isabella Morgan-Smith and Rebecca Wilks were having plenty of possession but Essex were unable to turn it into goals. Indeed goals were at a premium as after five minutes Essex had a slender 3-2 lead.
However The Downs were unable to contain Essex and once Leah Humphries and Maddie Oshodi started to find the net with regularity, Essex were able to accelerate away. Leading 3-2 Essex scored eight goals without reply to put themselves in a commanding position. At the end of the first quarter Essex led 14-4.
Having built up a substantial lead Essex were in no mood to give anything away and they started the second quarter playing at a tremendous pace which The Downs found difficult to live with. Essex scored 5 quick goals without reply as Humphries and Oshodi took advantage of lots of possession to stretch the Essex lead. In defence Zoie Humprey and Michelle Stewart were in commanding form and denying The Downs opportunities to hit back. Instead Essex piled on the pressure and totally dominated the second quarter scoring 20 goals whilst The Downs could only muster 5. At half time Essex led 34 -9 and to all intents and purposes the points were in the bag.
Essex were able to make changes in their team at half time and they introduced Leanne Spencer and Sarah Campbell. It took a little while to adjust to a new line up and The Downs enjoyed their best spell of the game. Indeed throughout the quarter it was end to end stuff and much more closely contested than the first half. The third quarter saw both sides score 11 goals each, but going into the final quarter of the game Essex had a healthy 45-20 lead.
With the points in the bag Essex did enough in the last quarter to increase their lead slightly but they never had to extend themselves. They continued to play good netball but without needing to raise their game. When the final whistle went Essex had enjoyed a comfortable 57 -29 victory and cemented their
position in runners up spot in Regional Division 1.
Stewart, Humphrey, Odeogberin, I Morgan-Smith, R Wilks, Humphries, Oshodi, Campbell, Spencer
Further reading