Starlands Girls managed to gain their first ever Cup win today.
It was a shame that the game was decided on an error from what was otherwise a flawless display from the Solihull keeper...However, saying that - Starlands managed to defend resolutely for most of the game and secured their second succsessive clean sheet !
Starlands were missing The Twins - Laurice and Hannah to a music festival - and it would be obvious that the rest of the team would miss their effort.
Things were made worse with Alex being taken ill on friday night to cold & flu. ( We wish her a speedy recovery.)
The good news was Grace returned from her chair diving exploits...and we welcomed Zohra our newest player.
So, we started the game with 11 players....
The game was quite even to start with - but, quickly Starlands looked out of sorts with a make shift back four. Itt was soon swapped around to place Sam, Chloe,Beth and Amber together infront of Holly. Starlands looked a little more settled - and apart from Amber nearly scoring an own goal - and a few nail biting moments they did very well.
Credit were credit due - Amber looked comfortable on the ball. Any mistakes she could use her pace to make ammends - and also looked to set up a counter attack.
Sam for the first half was all over the place - but, certainly made up for it in the second half - by keeping the Solihull No.10 under wraps.
Beth and CHloe were rock solid - and there was always one of them clearing up ...or heading the ball. Thank you to Beth for playing in an unfamiliar position and taking to it like a duck to water.
Holly or Holy as the team sheet stated - was her usual calm and collected self at the back. Even taking time to watch the boys play on the other pitch....fortunately the players and spectators managed to get her attention at the required moment.
The starlands goal came from a corner - Grace hit a shot goal bound that somehow fell through the keepers fingers. It agonisingly rolled down the slope across the length of the gola line without any player form either side wither burying it for a goal...or clearing it !....eventually - the ball trickled in to make it 1-0.. Believe it or not, at half time Grace didnt even know that she had scored !...and also complained about the boy who was marking her !...Bless...there were no boys this week Grace. :)
Whoops !
ANyway. We managed to spurn a good chance from Olivia just bending it wide - and another opportunity when again we just failed to pull the trigger...dribling it befor ebeing tackled.
Solihull were clearly coming into the game more and more....and a rear guard action was called for.
Beth was intervening at every opportunity - and Holy quick to come off her line.
Kiera once again - showed good discipline in her positional play - and was doing her best to link up play...tracking back to help the team too !
Zohra - made her debut - and looked really good on the ball. She made a few good tackles and some powering runs forward with the ball...We look forward to her growing in confidence - and played a really good first game for the club. Well Done !
The first half finished with us leading.....
The second half started much as the first. Olivia was moved into midfield where we were being overun a little. Toni and Ellie went upfront and held the ball up superbly at times. Ellie showed some skill that I doubt some adults could perform. She took a ball out fo the sky and killed it on her boot before holding up play and laying it off square...brilliant. and we want to see MORE of that !... Likewise even little Toni managed to hold the ball up against some big girls. Well done. At one point she was shoulder barged and stood her ground forcing the opponent to hit the deck.... Toni the Tiger !
Zohra has run her legs off - and match fitness was starting to show - but she never gave up... Fair play.
Amber looked to break from the back and set up attacks - but really in truth Solihull were by far the more attacking side in the second half.
As said before , if it wasnt for the defence and Holly - Solihull would have won.. BUT, they didnt !...and we go through to the next round !
Well done girls.
Girl of The Game was awarded to BETH ( Outstanding defensive display.)
Hopefully Holly will be ok. SHe injured herself late on but bravely soldiered on...
Also we wish Hariett from Solihull well ( recently broke her ankle ! Ouch !...)
A great cup game played in good spirit....Next week a tough test v BURNTWOOD ( AWAY.) ...The good news is a FULL TEAM to choose from !
