On a wet Saturday morning Starlands travelled South on what feels like our usual route...The M5 towards Wollaston Recreation Ground to play Withymoor Colts.
The usual Friday evening - meant I sat waiting for cry off's...and apart from Beth who was away with her Dad - I was pleasantly surprised , yet disappointed to lose a player who has made great strides in recent weeks and really improved. Grace was taken ill from School having decided to jump off a chair in Drama?!@£"!.... Let's hope she recovers soon! We will need her next week for the cup game v Solihull with both Laurice and Hannah away.
Mind you...and early exit from the cup will allow us to concentrate on The League....lol.
We arrived in Belfry Drive in good time - Yet discovered this was not the proper address. Further confusion when we were at the right place but the opponents told us we were at the wrong address again?!....
Finally everyone arrived...and with Andrew ( Withymoors Vivaldi) disappearing off to get some step ladders for the nets we soon had a game on.
To avoid future confusion...Chloe's grandad said. " If you had told me the pitch was opposite Johns house I would have known !".....Mmmmmm Let me think about that?...
Next week we play Solihull - Does anyone know anyone who lives opposite their ground??????? :)
Anyway back to the match....
I will keep it short because with Racheal kindly turning up and coaching from the sidelines - It was left to me to run the line and keep her in line !...with pitch invasions , language etc. ... I therefore struggled to keep and accurate record of the match and how it played out.... But, the main points are...
1.We WON.
2.It was a very even game - infact if not for a very solid defensive and goalkeeping display we would have lost.
3.It rained.
4.Chloe was awarded Girl Of The Game for yet another assured display.
5.Olivia scored AGAIN - from a speculative lob shot - that the keeper was unable to hold.
6.We are back to winning ways !
7.Some players have got to put more effort into their games - for themselves and the team. No names...But, You know who you are and so do your parents. This is not me being nasty or having a go. We want you to have FUN. You will have fun the FITTER you are. The game will be easier. You will be able to run faster and longer and help your team mates to WIN.... Girls that put 100% effort in EVERY WEEK are Sam,Alex,Hannah, Laurice in particular. (Thats why they come off red faced...they dont stop running.They may lack some of the skills or speed but they do not lack for effort and that is ALL any Manager can ask for !) YOU ALL CAN DO IT....because you DO when I shout and encourage you...You shouldnt need me to do this..... So, COME ON GIRLS 100% all the time every time please.
*The defence for the last few weeks have been very good - which is evidenced in the fact that three of the back four have won Girl Of The Game in as many weeks. Chloe not only wore matching socks but read the game so well and made some timely interceptions. Backing up her centre back partner Laurice and ing backs Alex and Sam at every opportunity. Holly played her part once again she came off her line and shouted for the ball. She even took a smack in the mouth for her troubles...spitting blood she carried on.
Olivia was unlucky not to score two - with a terrific save from the Withymoor keeper making ammends for earlier.
Withymoor had far more pace than us up front - yet we were never truly exposed and always tracked back.
We didnt really use the slope to its full advantage in the second half - and Ellie, Toni, Alex and Sam all had opportunities to smash the ball into the net from corrners or goal mouth scrambles....Dont be scared to shoot girls !....If you dont shoot you'll never score.
ANyway , well done to get us back into winning ways - a really impressive 3 points - that were against the odds.
Next week we play Solihull - This will be a tough game with the twins away - But, dont' worry !...Let's go out and have some fun and see what happens? :)
Once again the coaches and parents are VERY proud of you all and what you are achieving this season...Keep it going !
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