THE NEW SAINTS LADIES 9-0 ALLSCOTT LADIES
WEST MIDLANDS WOMEN'S REGIONAL LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION
PLAYED AT PARK HALL STADIUM, OSWESTRY
SUNDAY 5TH OCTOBER 2014
MATCH REPORT BY DAVID FIGG - Courtesy of TNS
After bouncing back from their 0-9 league defeat away to Leamington Lions on 21st September with a 7-6 penalty shoot-out win away to Lye Town Ladies in the FA Women's Cup 1st Qualifying Round the previous Sunday, Allscott Ladies came crashing back to earth with another 0-9 defeat away to Shropshire rivals The New Saints Ladies in the West Midlands League Premier Division at Park Hall Stadium on Sunday.
Allscott had been hoping to avenge the 0-6 defeat by Saints the last time the sides met in the Shropshire Women's Cup Final at Shrewsbury Town's Greenhous Meadow in May. However, they got more than they bargained for and with interest as TNS continued their 100% winning start to the season to move up one place to 3rd, level on points with Allscott but with Saints having a far superior goal difference.
It took Saints just 7 minutes to open their account this time round when Abi Cottam's through ball from the right of midfield sent Emily Ridge clear and although she was flagged offside by the Allscott club linesman, referee Kareem Zaman waved play on as she was actually played on by a defender and Ridge ran on before firing a right foot shot past Allscott (and one time former Saints) keeper Bev Highfield from 20 yards.
It was eventually 2-0 in the 25th minute when Cottam's cross from the left hit a defender, a scramble ensued and the ball eventually fell to Sophie Edwards who crashed a right foot drive from 15 yards into Highfield's right hand corner.
Just 3 minutes later, it was 3-0 when Ridge's cross from the right found Jade Hill who controlled before spinning her marker and firing a left foot half volley from 15 yards into Highfield's right hand corner.
It was 4-0 in the 34th minute when Sarah Burke took on and beat her man before seeing her shot rebound to Hill, who crossed from the right to the far post where Cottam headed firmly into Highfield's right hand corner from the edge of the 6 yard box.
The goal flurry continued and it was 5-0 in the 38th minute when Ridge won the ball in the centre circle and ran down the right before feeding Hill, who set up Cottam to fire a fierce right foot shot from the right corner of the box past Highfeild into the roof of the net.
Just 2 minutes later, it was 6-0 when Hill's through ball found Ridge on the right who sent a superb lob from 25 yards over Highfield and into the keeper's left hand corner for a class finish.
The second half began slower for both sides with chances at a premium before Saints went 7-0 up in the 57th minute when Kate Huntbach fed Cottam, who ran down the left before cutting in and firing a right foot shot into Highfield's top left hand corner to complete her hat-trick.
Just 2 minutes later it was 8-0 when Amy Tomei's through ball down the middle released Ridge who ran between 2 defenders before lobbing the advancing Highfield from inside the box to complete her hat-trick.
What proved to be the final goal of the afternoon came in the 61st minute when Cottam picked up a loose ball on the left of midfield and ran nearly half the length of the field beating Julie Stirrup before having her right foot shot from 8 yards parried by Highfield, with the rebound running to Cottam who fired home from 5 yards.
The remaining 29 minutes plus stoppage time saw play switch from end to end but with few serious chances being created by either side and although Allscott were well beaten, the visitors kept battling to the end.
The New Saints: 1) Charlotte Edmunds, 2) Hannah Yates, 4) Kate Huntbach, 5) Nicola Walford, 6) Lizzie White, 8) Sophie Edwards, 9) Emily Ridge, 10) Abi Cottam, 11) Jade Hill, 18) Amy Tomei, 23) Sarah Burke. Subs: 7) Laura Morris (for Burke 51), 12 Jenny Smith (for Ridge 59), 13) Nisa Mendez (for Edwards 46), 14) Lucy Brown (not used), 17) Helen Constable (not used).
Allscott Ladies: 1) Bev Highfield, 3) Louisa Anderson, 4) Leonie Speake, 5) Sarah Hamill Moss, 6) Stacey Garnham, 7) Jamie Phillips, 8) Casey Starling, 11) Kayleigh Harrison, 14) Isha Alsadek, 15) Julie Stirrup, 16) Stacey Aitken Best. Subs: 9) Kim James (for Hamill Moss 51), 12) Terri Henderson (for Starling 46), 17) Hannah Speake (for Harrison 56).
