On a sunny Saturday, Swansea Ladies 1s hosted Durham HC in what we knew would be a very difficult opening game.
Lots of new faces, both on the sideline with new Head Coach Mo Samak and Assistant Coach Lee Marshall, as well as on the pitch with 6 players making the debut for Swansea, 5 of whom were also making their National League debut.
Swansea started extremely strong creating lots of chances in the first quarter but were just unable to convert to take that all important lead. As expected, Durham came back strong in the second quarter, pinning Swansea back but Ella Jackson once again showed why she is arguably the best GK in the league with some fine saves and ably supported by our very strong defence.
At halftime with the score still 0-0, both teams knew the first goal was going to be key and sadly Durham were first to score from a well worked goal.
Swansea pushed hard for an equaliser in the last quarter but Durham held firm. With the very last play of the game, Durham scored an excellent drag flick from a penalty corner making the final score 2-0.
Whilst its always disappointing to lose, there were so many positives to take away from the match.
Our second game this weekend takes us on one of our long trips away to Wakefield where we are hoping to bounce back with a win.