MATCH REPORT
We went into this match knowing that we had to get a result against a very organized side.
After a few initial skirmishes, we went on to gain the initiative, which we held throughout a frustrating 1st half, during which we only managed to translate our superiority into goals twice, with Eleasia Ho-Shing from close range, from an assist by Bushra Taou-Taou, and Michelle Tapping directly from a corner.
In the 38th’ minute Shelley Osborne-Price had to be taken off, after aggravating a knock she had picked up last week. Sharron Barnet came on for Shelley.
We kept up our pressure on the opposition constantly, also by virtue of support play by our two full backs, Sophie Balaam and Joanne Doolan.
We went close on a number of occasions during the first half but a combination of good goal-keeping and failure to finish saw the 1st half finish with us only 2-0 up.
At the start of the 2nd half, Thaisa Valadao came on, replacing Bushra Taou-Taou.
Two players came on for the opposition and Hampstead started to match our game, beginning to take a hold in our half, a situation which lasted for a good 15 minutes. Our back line was resolute, though, with Kerry Rogers a rock at the back, well assisted by Audrey Nagudi at centre half and Sophie Balaam and Joanne Doolan at right back and left back, respectively.
As we started looking into the opposition’s half again after that period of pressure by Hampstead, Michelle Tapping made full use of a direct free kick inside the D. She swerved her shot over the wall and into the goal-keeper’s right hand top corner (that’s whom Beckham got it from!).
More opportunities to score came and went through Melanie Anderson, Eleasia Ho Shing and Joanne Doolan, but their goal keeper proved to be a match for our players in all those occasions.
Hampstead then went on to score against the run of play, thanks to a long punt from midfield, assisted by the wind.
Soon after that Eleasia Ho-Shing came off, replaced by Maame Binfaah on the left side of midfield.
The end game was a rather uneventful one, with our girls holding firm, despite a series of corners for the opposition, one of them the result of a brilliant save by Charley Douglas , who dived low to her left to push a shot around the post.
All in all, a good performance by Tooting and more importantly, three more points in the bag!!
