Starlands Girls last game resulted in them gaining a terrific 2-2 draw with Penn.
This week saw the girls visit 2nd in the league and undefeated in 15 games Penn.
I for one thought things couldn't get any better than last time out...how wrong was I ?!
We didn't get off to a good start. At our request we were allowed a 9.45 kick off to accommodate some players attending WBA v Man Utd.
Unfortunately, I don't think any of the players set their alarm clocks !
At one point it was Olivia v Penn???!.....
One by one the team turned up, and by a slightly delayed kick off we had 11 players.
With no real warm up, it was looking ominous .
However, the girls looked fairly comfortable as the game progressed.
We were missing Alex & Hafsah but welcomed back Sinead and Grace.
Penn managed to get a corner, and whilst Starlands blocked the ball....we then stood ball watching while Penn tucked it past a helpless Holly to make it 1-0.
The girls responded well, with Olivia playing up front again smashing the post from an acute angle...
Penn then broke quickly and from the resulting corner , a carbon copy goal ensued 2-0
The game had been even, Starlands back line were doing their job...and Holly was coming off her line quick making some superb brave diving saves.
Then Penn played a fabulous through ball splitting our defence wide open. The on rushing striker hit it first time lobbing the on rushing Holly. The ball looped over her, travelling goal bound....it had to be a 3rd goal....oh no! Sinead had made a Herculean effort to track back to save the day....and keep Starlands in the game.
So, the first half finished 2-0. The hair dryer came out for the half time team talk, and Mr Motivator worked his magic.
Olivia and Kiera were asked to up their effort, Ellie was asked to play through the pain barrier, and just to all give 100% with a smile and work for each other.....and they did !
Olivia produced a rocket of a 1st goal, making it 1-0. Why I never had the courage to play her up front before the other week I'll never know?!?..
Hannah was giving a few foul throws away, so when we won a throw deep in their half, Laurice Delap was called up from the back.
A typical long throw caused panic in the Penn defence and a shot from Amber at the edge of the box was deflected past the keeper giving us an equaliser. 2-2
Blow your whistle referee!!?.....what do you mean there's 20 minutes left?!
At this point I was proud as punch that the girls had shown such spirit and fight to come back against such a good team. However, if I 'm truthful we didn't let up for 90 minutes.
We never gave them time on the ball, we made tackles count and yes....we rode our luck at times, but we were the hungrier team.
Every minute that past, Penn were losing confidence and the finishing line was in sight for another fantastic draw.
However, the best was still to come...a speculative swing of Kiera's foot connected with the ball, it went high and towards the Penn goal. The defender came to head the ball as the goalkeeper also rushed towards. The ball deflected off the centre backs head and towards the keeper. With no time to react, she fumbled and the ball trickled towards the goal......and yes !!....it rolled over the line to make it 3-2 to Starlands !
We were now in the lead beyond all expectations... And it was Penn who were under pressure.
The back four now came into their own.Chloe and Sam played the ball out nice and simple.Laurice and Sinead making timely challenges backed up with Holly having a terrific match.
The midfield of Grace,Kiera,Hannah and Ellie were pushing the ball through to the corners and Grace nearly scored. Olivia and Amber were pressing high up the pitch.
The referee blew the whistle....The girls had done it ...a win against one of the best teams in the league,We d taken 4 out of 6 points in 2 weeks...top effort girls.
All of them deserved 10/10 match performance rating , but girl of the game was awarded to Sinead.
Got to say , I was buzzing after the last result .. But I made sure I took a piccy this time ...
Well done girls....Proud of you all.
