Today was a test of heart and resilience from the first whistle. Down to just 12 players, we were forced to adjust our tactics significantly, deploying a disciplined 4-4-2 Diamond to maintain our shape and control.

The first half was a tight, tactical affair. The momentum shifted early when we suffered a major blow, losing new signing Lucy to an unfortunate thigh strain. Undeterred, Sophie stepped up seamlessly into the void. Despite the disruption, our narrow Diamond proved its mettle, making us exceptionally difficult to break down, and we went into the break level.

The second half demanded the same resolve, but the thin margins of the game caught up with us. A momentary lapse in concentration saw us drop a fraction too deep, gifting the opposition forward the space to run onto a pass and smash home the opener. The pressure didn’t lift, and a quick second followed when their winger cleverly exploited a narrow seam between our fullback and centre-half to deliver a hammer blow.

Chasing the game, we gambled with an aggressive shift to the 4-3-3, but the tactical change didn’t pay off, leaving us too exposed at the back. A third goal resulted from a failed clearance off a long ball, and the final 4-0 scoreline was sealed by what felt like a harsh and harrowing penalty.

No doubt there’s lots to work on, but the Heaton Hawks‘ ability to adapt and battle in a makeshift formation was clear. We now have a crucial week off—time to heal, regroup, and welcome back our injured players. We’ll be ready to put things right next time out!