Starlands were back to familiar territory and down to a bare 11 players.
Ellie was ill , Rosie had rowed 12 hrs for Children in Need Charity , Hannah on a date with Vampires and Jade did not show?
We were playing Coundon Court Black today for the first time. We received a phone call from Coundon on route to the match stating the pitch was waterlogged in parts.
Parents had been sent on with garden forks ! and by the time we arrived after NEC traffic delays - the pitch was playable! although very boggy and muddy.
Chris kindly volunteered to run the line - Thank you!
The game got under way - and Starlands were quick to apply early pressure. Amber and RUby were up front supported by the quartet of Kiera, Hafsah,Grace & Sam in midfield.
Kiera was leading by example in her first match as Captain she was her usual industrious self. However, the Starlands girls don't really listen to their Captains or Managers!!
Starlands had a shot saved by the Coundon keeper - and were quick to break, but Holly was equally up to the task coming off her line to block the shot.
Starlands had plenty of ball , but just lacked the killer shot!..Starlands were guilty of getting in each others way!...and were probably doing a better job than the Coundon defence! Ruby had shot - but just could not put enough power into it - and the keeper collected.
From a quick Coundon break, Starlands gave a corner away - and from the resulting corner found themselves 1-0 down.
Starlands were finding it hard to cope with the Coundon strikers pace, if turned the trio of Laurice,Chloe and Sinead were finding it difficult to turn on the heavy boggy pitch - and Alex was supporting well in attack but finding it hard to glide over the swamp! However, saying that - they were holding their own and keeping Starlands in the game.Holly was back to her best!
Samantha went clear in the box and was about to pull the trigger when she was hacked down - but, no penalty was given?
The new Coundon keeper was having a terrific game - and Starlands should have scored more. Eventually, Hafsah took a shot cutting in from the edge of the box and it slipped by the keeper 1-1! and that was £5 to Children in Need.
Coundon amazingly went 2-1 up - Amber had scored a superb goal from a quick break and lovely pass from Grace yet it was given off side...from the quick free kick - Coundon went immediately down the other end and scored!!!...... and so the first half finished.
What I love about our girls is...Do the girls walk in at half time heads down? ...NO... they run over for the team talk to tell me " I owe £5 ! " :)
The second half got under way and Coundon scored a third froma corner kick that was not cleared.
Now this may surprise some readers?....but, not to the hardened Starlands fan - Laurice got injured!!!!...an accidental elbow to the head...the regular ice pack came out and a few minutes break. Whilst, I was seeing to Laurice, rather than a drop ball and possession back to us, Coundon got a free kick and ended up scoring?!!...oh well.
Four goals then became 5, when a quick break caught the Starlands defence off guard from a corner up the other end. The Coundon attackers were getting wise to Hollys valiant quick runs off her line to block shots and were now expertly lobbing her! However, Holly was stillpulling off some fine saves tipping over the bar ! and diving in the mud. Glad she was not coming back in my car!
A repeat of the fifth goal - ended up with a chipped 6th and 7th!...Starlands were at risk of letting in more.
One thing the girls do not do... is give up!...They always give 100% effort
Laurice had to come off - as she was feeling dizzy. So, what happened next is all the more amazing.
A quick throw in from Samantha to Hafsah sent Amber through on goal - and she does not miss those opportunities 7-2! Nice move. and £10 to Children in Need.
Grace was knocked over - and worried Starlands supporters...When asked where it hurt..."Everywhere! " came the reply. But, she managed to get up and carry on - Very brave,well done - and soon after was contributing to the commotion in the Coundon penalty area that resulted in a penalty being awarded for a handball!...
Amber bravely stepped up but hit the ball right down the middle and an easy save for the keeper.Phew! for me....it was nearly a fantastic day for Pudsey!!!
The resulting goalkeepers kick out - fell nicely to Ruby who went through on goal before releasing Hafsah who scored Starlands 3rd goal !!!!! £15 to Pudsey! :)
The game ended soon afterwards.
Terrific fight back from the girls - Good workman like performance from Kiera as Captain and the rest of the team.
Girl of The Game was a close call - between Holly and Chloe, but Chloe's last ditch rear guard performance just edged it! Well done. At one stage she got hit in the face, it came off the post and then she threw herself to block the rebound!
Hafsah was awarded by a lovely Hat trick Trophy kindly donated by www.Trophystore.co.uk c/o Steve! Thank you!
Next weeks game is at HOME v Fazeley....
