Starlands Girls turned up at Hednesford to play an unknown quantity with the hosts entering the CWGFL for the first time.
The Starlands Girls were missing Rhea, The Twins and Zohra for this seasons first game of the 2015-16 season but it testament to how far we have come that we still had 15 girls ready for action.
This in turn creates its own problems with balancing trying to win against giving everyone fair game time.
I think we managed it ....with the exception of my own daughter - Who to be fair wasn't too disappointed to come off after 5 minutes having experienced the style of play and vocal onslaught that ensued from the home team. Shame but, I think as the girls get older, bigger and wiser it will become the norm against some teams.
I think it is important not to lose sight of why the girls are playing....I like to win as much as the next person, but I feel there is a manner in which to play - and we should always keep the morale high ground, turn the other cheek and smile.....We will learn from todays experience.
So, back to the game....
Holly won the toss and importantly we kicked off down the slope. We played with a 4-4-2 formation with Holly in goal. a strong back four of Amy,Stacey,Amber and Alex. The midfield was made up of Leah,Anna,Beth and Kiera. The front two was Tia and Olivia.
The subs were Sam, Chloe recovering from midweek illness with Georgia and Ciara. Ciara would have started but was delayed in her arrival - as was Tia. But, Tia's mum must have employed the Formula 1 pit stop crew because she got there for the warm up.
From the kick off , Hednesford were full on and into every tackle 100% snapping at the heels of the Starlands players. They did not allow us anytime on the ball, however as time went on they started to slow and we started to get on the ball more.
Anna fed the ball through to Olivia who passed it through to Kiera - the first shot went wide....but encouringly Starlands were getting a foot hold in the game. CLearly the longer Hednesford went without a shot the more frustrated they were becoming.
Olivia then was sent through on goal and just shot wide and over the keeper.
Olivia then held the ball up laying it off the Kiera who turned the on rushing defender inside out with her skills and let fly a curling shot into the top corner ! Gooooooooooooal 1-0 and a fantastic start !...The Away fans went wild much to the dismay of the home fans.
Early days !....and a long long way to go...
Kiera was getting on the ball and showing her pre season form - making some nice passes through to the forwards. One such pass to Tia allowed her to make a nice cross to Olivia who just shot wide !...We could have been 2 or 3 up !?...Amazing stuff and beyond my imagination if I am honest.
Tia was then denied a lovely chipped goal set up By Amy who was looking very assured in her defensive role and occasional forward runs . The linesman flagging for off side against another player no where near interfering with play?...at that point I did think it wouldn't be our day....
Starlands were actually dominating the chances but just couldn't find the killer touch. Don't get me wrong Hednesford looked dangerous on the break with some very pacey wing play. However, Stacey and Amber were rock solid at the back - intercepting and breaking up play. Some lovely headed clearances from Amber especially. The wing backs Amy and Alex were putting their bodies on the line...Alex was trampled under foot at one stage !..but never let her opponent get past her!
The back four looked so solid it was only ever going to be fitness that might cause us some issues.....but they held on till half time. Well done girls. Of course not forgetting Holly - who was quick off her line and putting in some great kicks to relieve pressure and set up further attacks.
Beth took a couple of great corners and Olivia was so unlucky not to get on the score sheet. Beth herself squandered a chance when blasting against a very busy Hednesford keeper who had kept them in the game. Don't worry Beth !...You will get more opportunities this season - and your second half display in defence more than made up for it !....Are you sure you dont want to play there???!
Another corner taken by Beth was volleyed wide by Olivia - a superb effort !
We put on Georgia and Ciara just before the end of the first half to get them into the game....with Tia and Leah coming off for a breather.
HALF TIME came and we were still ahead. I was pleased as punch !
The team talk was obviously very light, the girls had done themselves proud and more of the same was the order of the day ! It was now upto the substitutes to play their part. A difficult decision to put on Sam and Chloe when the defence had been so excellent. The decision was made even more difficult when some gamesmanship and a little loss of self control led to Stacey being dismissed.
The Hednesford players had been leaving the odd foot in after the tackle and saying a few unkind words to our players -clearly it was the catalyst for what happened next. Stacey 's fuse was lit and Stacey was sent off ...Lessons to be learnt.
YES according to the strict letter of the law you cannot raise your hands....and this was duly enforced. No excuses....and Stacey will learn from this. (Match duties for the next few weeks - on jackets ) What was nice to see was all of the team rallied together to knuckle under and fight on....So, its great to see all the girls supporting each other.
Back to the game, Starlands were under increasing pressure,.....We had to play with only one upfront to give us a release ...and Ciara, Tia and Olivia all played their part in chasing down the ball and putting presure on Hednesford when we were not in possession.
The centre midfield of Beth and Anna were fast to get on the ball, break up play and feed the forwards....if it wasnt for those moving goals Anna might have scored !...especially an effort when the keeper had come out of goal. Anna looked up and shot from distance....Damn ! it missed....(Still x15 season goal target !)
Despite being a player short, Amber was striding forward from the back RIo Ferdinand like....and Amy was also pressing on....it released some pressure on our defence.
Against the play Tia slotted a goal to put us 2-0 up !.....Beyond my expectations....Could we hang on??!??
Alas, No. ...and this is where the match report will become brief....
Hednesford Utd scored from a free kick that was not collected cleanly and the following up player reacted first and just poked it home....With the score 2-1 the last 10 minutes were going to be backs to the wall .....
The equaliser came 2-2 from distance....But, The Starlands girls fought on ...and saw the game out with an electric 2-2 competitive game..
My heart can't take many more games like that.!?..... Truly one of the best performances i have seen from the team. Considering they have been together only a short period...it looks like to season will be positive...
Everyone today played their part...even Sam only on for 5 minutes. special mention to Leah and Beth both playing defensively out of position and doing a superb job!...Keep it up girls....top effort.
Girl of The Game was contested between Kiera, Stacey ( 1st half), Amy but Amber was the winner.... tremendous performance from start to finish. Well done girls....I think anyone would have taken a draw at the start...strangely feel disappointed we didnt win ! YOU DESERVED IT !....
