Challenged to step up after a disappointing draw last weekend, the L3s didn't so much step as leap as they recorded a table shifting away win over league leaders Holcombe. Starting on the front foot with real focus and intent, Oaks dominated possession from the push back with their skilful mids Alex Sewell, Anna Healey and Tegan Peterson driving the team forward. With forwards Georgi Samuel linking play beautifully and Cailyn McKenna and Alana Giles proving to be a handful, Oaks always looked the likelier to score. The breakthrough came halfway through the first half when Samuel’s through ball split the Holcombe defence and found Alana Giles in space. Giles calmly rounded the keeper before slotting home.
The home side settled quickest after the goal and had a flurry of penalty corners. But the L3s defence held firm. Excellently marshalled by centre backs Angers Salmon and Emma Patel, and with keeper Karen Chapman in confident mood, Holcombe’s previously free scoring forwards found their way to goal barred at every turn.
Finishing the half 1-nil up, the second half began rather sluggishly with both teams finding it difficult to string any meaningful possession together. Yet it was Oaks’ creativity in the final third that fashioned another opening. This time it was Man of the Match Alex Sewell who found space to drive the left side baseline before slipping the ball past the Holcs keeper. The restart saw the home side looking to salvage something from the game and they found a lifeline when they converted from a penalty corner with an unstoppable shot from the left castle. Looking to level the score, Holcombe threw players forward and forced desperate goal line saves from defenders Angers Salmon and Emma Botes. But as time ticked down, it was Oaks who saw the game out comfortably to secure a satisfying win.