STARLANDS Girls travelled to the Black Country to play Withymoor on the back of a superb win last week.
I was looking forward to us giving it a real go today - and trying to follow it up with another win???? However, we were without a few good players and down to a bare 11 players.
Come Saturday morning - Laurice went sick and Grace was nowhere to be seen - which is a shame because she played so well last week.
Alex, was in two minds - but to her credit she came to the girls rescue and made up the nine players.
On arrival the hosts looked a BIG set of players - and with only 9 players our girls were already running the risk of looking beaten.
Decision to be made.....PARK THE BUS AND LIMIT THE DAMAGE ? or DEFEND BY ATTACKING??....We opted for the latter.
All the girls gave 100% today - and ran their little hearts out....it was warm and for some their first game...but they really played for each other and NEVER gave up!
The back three was Sam , Hannah playing central and Chloe. They were immense...and played simple and safe...and it worked. Never dived in, held up the attack and allowed others to track back and cover..on the odd occassion Withymoor did break - they were either forced to shoot from distance or Holly was off her line to clear or collect.
The midfield of Kiera,Olivia and Alex - worked their socks off...Sorry to keep shouting at you all to keep working....I know its hard...but you all did a terrific job for the team.
Ellie looked happier upfront - and to be fair did not switch off and put alot more effort in - closing down the defenders when they had the ball to force a mistake.
The first goal came just as Withymoor looked to be getting the upper hand.Holly put a HUGE clearance kick that bounced over the defence - and Amber does what she does best...and ran onto the ball and tucked it away 1-0.....brilliant...and it gave us a lead to protect.
We held out until half time - and were unlucky not to score again from the same tactic.Ellie similar to last week picked the ball up on trhe edge of the box and shot wide.
Amber was again feeling the benefit of a pre match egg breakfast!
Kiera - who I know is sick of me shouting at her - was as industrious as ever, and is starting to hold her positon better. However, sometimes I am grateful when she pops up in defence to clear...and the next minute is supporting the attack.
Alex was shattered, her first game this season after a broken foot. Well done! a great effort.
Olivia made some probing runs, and a couple of times should have been greedier and shot herself!
Chloe and Sam continued to sweep, and make some decisive tackles. Hannah was everywhere!....and I lost count of the number of headers!
Withymoor - were joined by their managers daughter for the 2nd half - fresh from her VICTORY at the cross country! WELL DONE.
Her team were visibly lifted and it was not long before Starlands goal was peppered. The equaliser came after a terrific save from Holly and a goal mouth save from the rebound by Alex. The ball bounced everywhere - but the girls could just not clear the ball...and it ended up in the back of the net 1-1
Oh dear....it looked like Starlands were up against it. Another great attack from Withymoor let their striker through on goal....a world class save from Holly prevented Withymoor taking the lead.She dived...a flash of pink flew across the goal and a reached out hand saved the ball. BRILLIANT,....and she was not to know the linesman had flagged for off-side. She then followed this up by spreading herself and deflecting another shot!
Starlands didnt give up - and Olivia and Kiera ran with the ball at every opportunity deep into the opposition half. A shot in the Withymoor box was handled....PENALTY!!! against the run of play....Olivia cool as a cucumber buried it! 2-1 .. Could the girls hold on for a win??? or a draw?....maybe....
With the girls really playing for each other - and a lot of hard work, the final whistle blew....Amazing they'd done it! A new record! back to back wins!!!!! A draw would have been a fair result...but after our years in the wilderness we'll take the win. :)
Undefeated in three matches....and more importantly ....they did it against all the odds. SO PROUD!!!! and WELL DESERVED GIRLS.
Guess - I owe you 9 cupcakes tuesday?! Hannah GIRL OF THE GAME - But, all of the girls were magnificent.
