On a glorious sunny day, Irlam kicked off at 1pm at Churchill playing fields. Uppermill started strong, putting pressure on the opposition from kick off. Within 5 minutes Uppermill took the lead with an Ashleigh Jackson goal. 1-0. It was only 3 minutes later when Helen Clayton got on the end of a Caroline Pinches headed flick on and netted the second. 2-0. Uppermill kept up the attacking pressure, as Sinead Ingham picked up the ball at the centre circle and went on a run taking on 2 players and laying a ball off to Helen Clayton who took her chance and scored her 2nd and the 3rd for Uppermill. At this point it was clear that the opposition couldn't quite stand up to the strength and quality that Uppermill were displaying.At 18 minutes, Rach Cummins got her head on a Gemma Adderley cross which glanced into the net to make it 4-0. Uppermill now really enjoying the football and the girls were able to take the mick out of Helen Clayton as she missed a sitter from 2 yards out. Irlam were getting frustrated at this point and began to shout and scream at each other, missing passes, not working together at all. Sinead Ingham took full advantage of this by hitting a screamer from outside of the box and bagging number 5. In the next 5 minutes Helen managed to score two making her total 4 and the teams 6 & 7. Can anyone stop her? It was now Ashleigh Jackson's turn to miss a sitter as she went for the near post instead of hitting the far post. Unlucky Ash.Irlam finally managed to score one, but it was in their own net as Uppermill go 8-0 up. Their was some fantastic football played this afternoon, Uppermill really linking up well with each other. Just before half time we saw some one touch football on the left, with Sophie O'Brien one-twoing with Helen C, then playing a through ball for Helen to score yet again.At half time the last of the subs were on and Uppermill were just as strong. Irlam had gone to 5 at the back to try and stop the attacking force of Uppermill. It was Becky Fox who brought down a Sinead Ingham pass to strike and score the 1st of the 2nd half. 9-0. Everyone wanted to get a goal by this time and here were plenty more shots and chances for Foxy, Nat, Gemma, Caz and Sinead as time passed in the second half. As Uppermill showed off their skills a great team goal came worked from the centre circle by Foxy, Nat, Helen and Becci 'Gaga' Anderson, resulting in another Helen Clayton goal. Fantastic play. It wasn't long until a similar team goal was netted by Rach. Great finish. There were plenty of corners and crosses for Uppermill, with Gemma just missing a diving header and Beck Radcliffe getting a deflection and hitting the bar. Meanwhile at the opposite end of the pitch a very bored Emma Burns gets her 2nd kick of the game. It was a good one though. Well done Burnsy. With plenty of players in the box, a cross was sent in which was met with a goal mouth scramble to which Natalie Radcliffe got her first of the season and Uppermill's 13th. Oh and wait, it happened, Emma Burns got her 3rd touch of a game as a lame shot from an Irlam forward goes straight to her. It was great to see Uppermill fighting right until the end. Pre season training definitely having an impact on the team. All the team putting pressure on the ball starting at the front with Nat and Foxy. Foxy had a couple of chances with Irlam's defence just not able to deal with her speed and strength. Her determination proved successful after she linked onto a ball from Beck Radcliffe and slotted it passed their keeper with ease. 14-0 and that's how it ended. It was an absolutely stunning performance from Uppermill. Congratulations to the team. My Woman of the match would have to go to Helen Clayton, she worked her socks off and scored 6 (by the way that's 3 more goals than Burnsy had touches) Well done defence for staying solid at the back and not letting anything through. The opposition gave WOM to Ash Jackson, well done Ash.
