The Highlanders had the better of the early play, creating a few half opportunities.
In fairness, Momona held them at arm’s length with their strong defensive unit, led by Abby Reid, who had another very strong game at the back.
The second quarter saw the game open up a little bit more with the defending champions working a few penalty corners — although none that resulted in a goal.
Tessa Jopp, who had been relatively quiet early on, then popped up out of nowhere to sweep home the opener with five minutes to play in the first half.
It was a kick in the teeth to Momona, who were clinging on well, but they bounced back straight away, earning a penalty corner pretty much off the hit-off.
It broke down at the top, but Sorrell Shand was able to fire it goalwards, and Beth O’Donovan then got a decisive deflection to direct it into the back of the net.
It really buoyed Momona, who came out of the blocks well in the second half, creating a couple of openings, which were quickly snuffed out.
The Highlanders rode the storm out well, and eventually the ball fell to Billie Crowe in the circle, and she decisively swept it home into the back of the net.
For the rest of the quarter, and into the fourth, the defending champions were in cruise control.
Momona looked out of ideas, but they showed their grit to earn a late penalty corner. It was messy and untidy, but the ball fell to Lou Kotkamp, who bashed it into the back of the net to equalise with four minutes to play.
That was the final chance of the game, so it was destined for shootouts again.
The shootout itself was totally one-sided.
Pippa Croft made three really good saves, while her team-mates all scored, as the Highlanders won it 3-0 in three shots.
It was a bit of a bizarre ending to such a close game, but the quality of Croft really showed.
On the day, it was City’s key players who stood up. As well as Croft, Hayley Cox was into absolutely everything in the midfield, getting stuck in time after time. Lucy Pottinger was also very busy down the flank.
For Momona, Sorrell Shand was an ever-present threat, as was Kotkamp.
It was rough for Momona to end on the losing side, but someone had to, and ultimately, it was the Highlanders’ time to go five in a row.
— Nicholas Friedlander
