STARLANDS welcomed Premiership opponents Stratford in the 2nd Round of the Cup.
Following on from the heavy 17-0 loss to Halas last week it was going to be interesting to see how the girls performed.
Fortunately, Wyrley had their game called off last night - so we were able to call upon our reliable trio of Georgiamai, Connie & Stacey.
Still without our key player and keeper Holly ( who is making great progress in her rehabilitation.) we were without a recognised keeper.
Stacey bravely stepped up to the plate - and accepted the challenge of Captaining the team for a 2nd week and playing in goal.
However, she may not be as foolish again ......
We had the luxury of 3 subs, which sometimes can cause its own problems in trying to give everyone a game.
From the off, the ball came back to Kiera whose head was in the clouds - and she gave the ball away costing us an early goal.
Stacey was doing her best - but was only able to parry the shots towards on rushing Stratford players. The Starlands girls were half asleep - and it was only Olivia, Samantha, Laurice and Hannah that gave 100% for the whole game.
Too many were guilty of day dreaming , ball watching, standing still and not tracking back to help out!....Not the usual Starlands girls effort.
Saying that , we did have a couple of efforts on goal - but Amber and Grace failed to communicate - and could not control the ball kicking it too far ahead making it easy for the Stratford keeper to collect.
Now, this sounds quite critical of our girls...but when you know they are capable of better...it gets frustrating. Especially before the game when One player said they were too tired. In Graces defence she battled on having been ill with flu last week - and showed a clean pair of heels on more than one occassion.
Georgiamai was getting stuck in as the match continued....but normally keeps her goals for afternoon games ;) ....don't worry ! the goals will come.
Chloe and Connie looked comfortable at the back - and Connie had her attacker wrapped up in the second half when she was playing in her accustomed wing back position.
The first half finished 6-0.....Stacey had done really well and I would like to thank her...you earned your pot noodle!
Kiera played in goal the second half - and did fantastically well. She was brave....and sometimes exciting - although I'd like her to keep it boring!! She was off her line , diving in at strikers feet - and when she missed it...her defenders were there to help out. Laurice, Stacey and Hannah, Sinead,Connie,Chloe ,Alex and Sam were all so much better the second half.....well done girls.
The best bit for me was Olivia - who was not afraid to mix it up - getting shoulder to shoulder in the midfield - and knocking one Stratford girl over who in turn knocked over another....a pack of cards! ....it wasn't a foul - but it looked like one! .....great effort.
Starlands could have crumbled....but they didn't! We held them to 2 goals in the second half....yes we lost 8-0....but a battling performance...and a credit to you.
Good Luck to Stratford in the next round.....and Thank you Starlands Girls for showing some spirit in the second half....
Who ate all my jaffa cakes and wine gums????!!
