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Week three saw Mitcham travel to Kent to face Kingfisher as the season starts to hot up. Both sides are squarely aiming at the top 4 births at the end the season and both are heading there with newish squads.
Kingfishger are probably a year ahead of Mitcham in their development and had something to fight for having only lost narrowly in their games against the greens the season before.
The hall was nicely filled with spectators and a buzz was passing round the venue as Kingfisher roared off the line with a devastating display of shooting.
The obvious match up to watch this time was the female duals of Sammi Bedford against Helen West and Amy Turner against Kate Wragg who was returning from injury.
Kingfisher were simply awesome in the first 15 minutes as they played korfball as it should be. All their players had an eye for the goal and the finishing was brutal. Amy turner, John Denton and Chris Martin all stood out as they converted the chances they were making for themselves.
Mitcham always found themselves a pace or two behind chasing the ball movement. It was obvious after 15 minutes to Mitcham that this was not going to be a season like any before. If you want to win you have to be brave.
A time out and some direction from the sideline saw mitcham players step up in defence and continue with the work they were doing well in attack. The confines of Teapot lane saw a more direct approach from the team in green which was working effectively producing chances, but they could not match Kingsfisher for shooting in the opening 15 minutes.
Patience however is a virtue and the green attack started motoring up with physical dominance starting to product chances. Helen West was inspired and regular fixture Woods was immense in producing recycled ball.
By the time half time arrived it was locked at 10 a piece as mitcham had stemmed the Kingfisher tide and worked back into the game. Kingfisher had the last word though as late goal gave them the edge at the rest. It had been a break neck first half and the crowd were on their toes.
The second half saw an increase in intensity. Both teams had settled into their routines and were locked in an aggressive stalemate as goals were traded. Mitcham could not get their attack of Lamalas, Ayres, Taylor and King running though and it was obvious that was where the stalemate would be broken.
Mid way through the half Jordan Lown entered the game with dramatic impact hitting two huge long shots on the move over the close attentions of Dean Woods. Woods was following instructions in defence and using his experience to control Lowns as best he could, all part of the modern physical game of korfball, much to the surprise of the local crowd.
The game was reaching fever pitch as the clock ticked towards 60 minutes and with the scores never more than 2 goals apart from 10 � 10 it was time to be decisive. The home crowd were delighted when it was Saskia to Jaeger who ran through and slotted home the crucial goal to grab the lead with 3 minutes to spare. Mitcham had to respond and did as Dean Woods forced last minute penalty. This would surely give the team a point a piece, but Mitcham�s penalty metronome, Ross Bower went awry and the penalty fell short.
With 60 seconds to go Mitcham had to chase the ball and this allowed to Hidde de Jaeger to calmly slot home the final nail in Mitcham�s coffin to take both points.
If you wanted an advert for top quality, hard fought korfball in the Haven Sports Korfball League, this was it. Both teams were immense and the referee was superb as he orchestrated the match with total control and made korfball the centre of attention.
report written by: Dave Synott
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