Today we played Penn who beat us 13-0 last year.
We had a last minute cry off with Beth being ill. But, this year We already had x5 players ready to step up and Rhea moved into the starting XI.
From the off Penn showed more appetite and hunger for the win. They were first to every 50/50 ball and had a clear game plan of playing it simple in their own half and looking to press in our half.
We never had any time on the ball and with the girls continuing to play mute football we were always under pressure.
So, a frenetic start ....we actually had the first corner which was dealt with by Penn.
The first shot at goal by Penn was blocked and deflected over the crossbar.
The first goal came from a break down the left and a silly push in the back by Amy on her winger gave Penn a direct free kick from out on the left about 30 yards. The strikers intention was clear and despite warnings being given to Holly , the free kick was uted superbly and it flew curling into the top left corner to make it 1-0.
A goal from nothing situation really...and a shame because the Starlands girls although half asleep were still well in the game.
A lovely through ball from Kiera to Tia was put wide.
The Penn striker was then put through on a one on one with Holly. She came off her line quickly and the flash of lime put the striker off - and the ball went wide.
Then Penn were given a carbon copy free kick in exactly the same position. Again from a needless foul given by Stacey. The ball this time did not go directly into the net but failing to clear the ball. Allowed a goal mouth scramble and 2-0..... MADNESS 😤👎ðŸ»
From the restart there was glimpses of the old Starlands spirit with us going down the other end to put pressure on Penn. Catching Penn off guard Anna calmly slotted home for her 1st of the season to make it 2-1. ONLY 14 more to go for a KFC !
The Starlands girls looked to have taken some encouragement from this....but instead of coming back for an equaliser it was Penn who got the fourth goal.
A ball through the middle caused Holly to come off her line ...a 50/50 challenge and both striker and keeper went for the ball. There was a collision between the two and the striker gave ground ending up in a heap. Now ....does that mean a penalty ??...for the 2nd week cries of penalty were shouted from Managers, players and fans alike . The referee duly obliged but NO yellow card or Red ?...so was it a foul ?....Mmmmmm
Anyway it's a talking point for Match of The Day ...and history because the player slotted into the bottom corner to make it 4-1.
( Early days but we don't seem to get the rub of the green with referee decisions ?... It is to our girls credit that they don't go back over easy - and in the main do not intentionally foul or swear etc.)
4-1 at half time and a few changes made to freshen things up with Georgia , laurice ,Hannah and Sam replacing Kiera ,Stacey ,Chloe and Amy.
Just a quick point - YOU are a TEAM. EVERYONE plays their part throughout the season. I expect people to be disappointed to come off but I do not expect players to question the decision or react badly. Think about if you were on the bench ?..wouldn't you want to get on ?...support each other - clap, cheer ! Credit to Leah, Georgia ,Twins and Sam from the bench.
Everyone deserves to play at least a 1/2 IT IS DOWN TO YOU to GIVE 100% on that pitch to make it impossible for me to take you off. You ALL show moments of brilliance, grit, effort,determination, skill etc but it needs to be for the whole time you are on the pitch. Otherwise your team mate gets the chance to shine and take your place. You should be shattered when you come off.
Back to the game, and the second half was a more even affair with us not giving away silly set plays !...
Hannah coming on gave us a bit more determination in midfield and a through ball to Georgia was narrowly put wide with a speculative snap shot just drifting wide.
Rhea was solid in front of the back four picking up the ball and intercepting passes. We looked to be getting into the game, Amber was everywhere , heading ,tackling another terrific performance.
Leah had been her industrious self and with Amy coming off for a rest slotted into the back four to give us a bit more pace.
Tia had come back on and was making some lovely runs down the right wing and getting some telling crosses into the box but there was no one there to finish.
Olivia 's work rate was much better and it was some real hustle and bustle jostling should to shoulder that allowed her to lay the ball off to Hannah who struck the ball into the top corner !...from the edge of the box ...a delightful goal. 5-2
Starlands continued to battle and whilst the game was over as a result the girls never stopped.
We reverted to. Back three to push on for a third goal but it never came.
In the second half there were some superb sliding tackles from Rhea timed to perfection. Tia not wishing to miss out slid in herself and took player and then ball ! ðŸ˜³âš½ï¸ whoops ! A great effort just slightly miss timed. Lol.
Kiera without her Dad present was not as focused as usual weeks but did show glimpses of what she can do and what she should be doing ! Hurry back Dad !
The game came to a conclusion with Penn winning 5-2
Goals from (2 Seanna ;Rachel, Esme and Cameron)
A game of failing to deal with SET PLAYS ...so guess what we will be doing Wednesday ??!...
Girl of the Game awarded to Rhea. Well done !
Next week is against our friends REDDITCH - Mike has kindly offered to step into the Management hot seat next week. Please make his job easy 😊.
Thank you to Simon for running the line and Paul warming up Holly ,Mike Pulling the dugout and Samantha collecting the flags.
Wednesday 6.30 -7.45 last training at Aldridge School before we go FLOODLIGHT training 7-8 in Brownhills.
