Starlands visited Fazeley today - having had last weeks game against the same opposition cancelled sue to the bad weather and waterlogged pitch.
Starlands were unlucky to lose out 4-3 in The Cup to Fazeley and were looking for revenge.
However, Starlands were dealt an early blow with late call offs from Alex,Grace and Laurice who were struck down to illness and injury. Jade was unavailable.
We wish all the girls a speedy recovery!
Even Ben our coach - called off at the last minute!...sleeping through his alarm!
So, we travelled with the bare 11 players knowing that no-one was going to get cold stood on the sidelines!
The game kicked off with Holly Captain for the day. Starlands were quickly into their stride - and a new formation of 3-5-2 was looking to pay early dividends.
With the trio of Sinead,Chloe and Hannah at the back, it allowed Ellie,Hafsah,Samantha,Rosie and Kiera to work up and down the pitch and look to thread a ball through to the forward duo of Amber and Ruby.
Starlands were mindful of the big strong Fazeley striker and were doing a great job of double teaming her whenever she was on the ball.
Starlands were unlucky not to go two up - if it had not been for two terrific saves from the Fazeley keeper. However, saying that our own Holly was called into action , now instinctively coming off her line to save.
Starlands struck first, Hafsah was kicked by the keeper and both girls went to ground, no foul was given - and had it been, it should have been a penalty.The Fazeley defence tried to clear the ball, and the ball came out to Samantha on the edge of the box. She automatically kicked it back towards goal - and with the keeper grounded and the ball flying in the air - the defence were powerless to stop it! 1-0 Not often Starlands go ahead.
Fazeley were soon back in the game - from a throw in, Starlands were half asleep and a quick break the forward tucked the ball past Holly.
The first game finished 1-1, a really top team effort. Spirits were high and the girls were keen to get back into the action.
The Starlands defence were not messing about today. Any ball was cleared off the park,
However, a corner that was given away was Starlands downfall. A lovely cross was not taken by Holly - and to this point she had not put a foot wrong.
There was a scramble and the ball rebounded off player to player, eventually the ball hit the post and dropped on the line.However, our honest linesman gave the goal!....I'm not sure I would have given it - but, one thing we can't be accused of and is completely the right thing to do is playing in the right spirit!...Well done Boris The Linesman.
With no substitutes Starlands were beginning to struggle to keep pace with the Fazeley strikers. Soon, Fazeley scored 2 more goals from their danger player Kiera White who had bagged a hat trick. It would be too much to say Fazeley were a one player team - but, without a shadow of a doubt she made all the difference.
The scoreline of 4-1 did not really portray the actual possession of the game and a draw would have been a fair result.
However, the 100% effort and team spirit the girls showed today was amazing. Well done! Every game regardless of results I can see improvements in individuals and team play.
Girl of The Game was a tough decision - Ruby had another great game coming on leaps and bounds.Ellie played some nice passes.All of the back three played like giants...Sinead was back to her best and Hannah was inspirational. Holly kept the girls in the game and was encouraging to all. Kiera,Hafsah,Rosie and Amber played their part.But, I gave it to Samantha today for her effort in back tracking and her goal - not often she is composed, but today she struck the ball with confidence - even taking a free kick!
Well done to all the girls! Proud of you all....Keep going....and keep having fun!!!
