Starlands Girls enjoyed their first ever week on top of the pile...sitting pretty as League Leaders.
Today they welcomed Withymoor under new management Ian - with Andy 'Vivaldi' stepping down after FOUR SEASONS !... job well done...
Last year we managed to sneak a win away from home with 10 players after Amber slotted a penalty. When Withymoor returned they convincingly beat us and stopped our winning run of three games.
Today, Starlands Girls were playing in their new HOME kit - a very nice looking PINK kit kindly sponsored by TROPHYSTOPRE.CO.UK ...The Girls looked good and played even better.
With Ellie & Toni away on a school trip fighting on the beaches of Normandy - We were down to a bare bones 11.
We refuse to register a boy - and remain committed to our values and ethos of CENTRAL WARWICKSHIRE GIRLS LEAGUE...having a clue in the title.
Withymoor like many other teams are comprised of girls and so it proved to be a very even affair.
There was nothing between the two teams - much of the play was in the centre of the park, Starlands were starting to enjoy more possession and a series of corners forced from good link up play between Alex, Beth,Kiera resulted in a snap shot from Amber being blasted wide.
Olivia was put through by Beth and uncustomary shot wide.
Wythmoor were growing into the game - and their striker with a speed advantage was though on goal. Holly was fast off her line and shouted 'Keepers !' a 50/50 challenge resulted in Holly clearing the ball and the striker going to ground. The danger was averted...and a clear message of intent was sent out. Needless to say , it made the striker think twice on every other 50/50 play.
The telepathy between the GINGA NINJAS was paying off and Beth slipped a ball through to Olivia who finished it off with consumate ease to make it 1-0 and a Starlands lead.
The girls held on till half time...and a well deserved orange and praise from a very excited Racheal.
It is at this time, that praise must also be bestowed upon our new linesman for the day. I must say he did a terrific job...but we look forward to our more usual linesmen.
The second half - there was a real concern that Withymoor were going to catch Starlands out with their fast attacking pace. However, for a second consecutive week The back four of Sam,Chloe,Laurice and Alex played superb - backing each other up, heading the ball ,clearing the danger. Well Done girls.
Praise must also go to Grace and Kiera for their link up play alongside Beth in midfield. Kiera had listened today and was holding her position giving the team stability and form.
The second goal came from a customary Holly rocket - which was fed on from Hannah to Olivia who made no mistale - making it 2-0.
The third goal came after a lovely piece of work from Grace who fed Olivia who scored her hat trick giving Starlands some breathing room.
The last 20 minutes seemed a little quiet compared with the hustle and bustle of the previous 60 minutes..
One major talking point was the tackle made by Laruice - the likes of which I have never seen before. It was clean, it was hard, it was fair, it was briliant - girl and ball wnet flying...Laurice stood firm.
Starlands held on to take a well deserved win , albeit I think on another day the result could have easily gone to Withymoor....
Nevertheless a great game of football played in a terrific spirit - and it allowed Starlands to remain at the top for another week !....UNBELIEVABLE!?!"&£^"£%!!....
We travel to Worcester Utd next week - in search of more boys :) lol.
The FA have agreed for mixed football to U.16 ??.. The Rules are The Rules...and whatever League we are in we will abide by them.
It was difficult for us to pick out a Girl Of The Game...There were a few contenders Grace,Chloe,Holly,Olivia,Beth but in the end it went to Laurice who informs me it is the first time in 2 years she has won it?!....I can't believe that !
On a side note - CONGRATULATIONS to GRACE's Grandad for getting her out of bed and to the game on time !
