This week we played Droitwich away , facing an early trip down the M5 to seek revenge for two defeats last season.
Similar to last year Droitwich were on the bottom of the table - Yet they turned us over 6-2 and 8-0. Following that defeat we went on a slide and failed to win another game.
This year we had our keeper (fit -ish) and strengthened by a few new players.
I was certainly hoping that Olivia wouldn't hit the post and bar as many times as she did last year !....
We faced an early set back when a text message from Stacey stated they were at Junction 4 and had to turn back for .....her boots ! 👞😔. .....I can only imagine what Dads thoughts were !.... So, Samantha got a lucky break and went into the starting line up whilst Beth shifted across to centre back with Amber.
The starting line up was Holly , Amy, Amber,Beth,Sam,Leah,Anna,Georgia,Kiera,Olivia and Ciara. Leaving us a very strong bench of Stacey,Rhea and Tia all itching to get on!
From the off Starlands got a corner and Olivia passed to Kiera whose shot went just wide.
We looked full of attacking intent and were hustling for the ball trying our best to be first to the ball.
Samantha not having played much this season was looking to build some confidence and she did a really safe job - keeping it simple every time and competing for the ball. One such play, she broke up a Droitwich attack and set Georgia off down the wing who played the ball to Olivia spreading the play to the other wing where Leah crossed only for Olivia to shoot agonisingly wide. They were playing what looked like football ?!...
Then Starlands got their break - with the inform Kiera placing the ball into the corner to make it 1-0. Just the start we wanted and the girls could build on this advantage.
Olivia then went through showing great pace and strength to bustle and jostle her self clear - her shot renewed once again the relationship with droitwich's post ! Noooooo! It should have been 2-0.
Samantha then played another pass to Georgia back to Olivia who again shot agonisingly wide !....
The other Ciara was showing some nice touches on the ball and is growing in confidence. Once the fitness comes she will be a real force.She played through Anna back to Olivia forcing a corner.Which resulted in nothing.
Beth then made a nice clearance to Kiera running onto the ball who calmly slotted home her 2nd of the game to calm a few nerves.
Starlands were dominating play , and any Droitwich attack was quashed by Amber and her defence. Holly made a few saves from distance but nothing that was going to trouble her. She did come out and make a fine 1 on 1 save.
Then Ciara took a free kick to Anna who turned on a six pence looking to get on her trusty left peg...she dropped her shoulder and jinked once again before a lovely curling shot curled in the top left corner despite the keepers best efforts. 3-0
Ciara then played a ball to Leah who played a quick 1:2 with Anna before Leah's shot was saved.
Half time 3-0
With Starlands reasonably comfortable Samantha came off allowing Stacey back into centre back , Amy switching to left back and Beth back to right. Unfortunately Droitwich's best player followed Amy over....lol. But fair play Amy never gave her an inch and battled on all game limiting her to long distance attempts.
A through ball was paying dividends and Tia on for Ciara set up Olivia who once again showed so much pace and strength just going wide.
Another through ball to Tia allowed her to bear down on goal and coolly slotted for the fourth and continue her scoring streak.
Rhea had come on for Kiera and we were playing what was supposed to be 4-4-2 rather than 4-3-3.... However at times it looked like 4-2-4 with our midfield staying up top. Lol.
Leah and Georgia unfortunately for them have one of the hardest jobs...expected to track back, attack and make those runs into the channels...a thankless task....but you can do it ! Keep it up girls.
The fifth goal was a lovely ball from Leah to Beth to Anna to Olivia to score a much deserved goal to cap off a great performance.
Anna then dribbled to Tia shoes shot was again saved by the Droitwich keeper.
Droitwich were stronger in the second half assisted by Starlands probably taking their foot off the gas...and holly came off her line to make a great save and was supported by Amber covering to clear the second attempt. Brilliant defending. Stacey was also playing her part at the back and made some timely interceptions.
Droitwich did get a deserved goal near the end and prevent Starlands from their first clean sheet. Holly made the initial save but the ball rebounded nicely and the long haired striker tucked it away.
The game finished 5-1 to Starlands a richly deserved victory and again probably not expected by the opposition.
A well contested game played in the right spirit to support The FA Respect Campaign.
Kiera was awarded Girl Of The Game by The Match Panel ! ....Anyone not agree speak with Tracy ;) lol. She won an FA Respect Pen & Memory stick Well Done.
Such a shame that when she came back on for the last 10 minutes she couldn't finish her hat trick. Put clean through and just the keeper to beat she dribbled a soft shot into the keeper....such a shame..,but I am sure there will be more this season!
Well done everyone - and with other results going our way We are up to 4th !....Giddy.
