Uppermill kicked off at 1pm against a very strong wind at Middleton park Leisure centre.
The game began with strong offensive play from Uppermill Ladies. This turned out to be the constant for the whole match but in the first half Middleton Park Ladies had the wind on their side too. Uppermill had a few shots but just couldn't quite get a shot on target. In the 15th minute a shot was blasted towards the goal by Uppermill, the reaction from Middleton Ladies ended up in a penalty as the oppponent threw up her arms. Up steps Caz, who hits a strong placed ball into the net. 1-0 Uppermill.
The first half was a battle mostly against the wind. There were some real strong runs from Sophie O'brien, Helen Clayton, Rachel Cummins and Sinead Ingham but Uppermill just couldn't quite improve on their lead. Middleton were finding it tough to get a hold of the ball in a central position due to the domination of it by Sinead and Caz. With a few minutes left in the first half, Middleton Ladies grabbed an unseen so far chance, as a ball slipped through the Uppermill defence. Emma Burns came sprinting out to the ball and made a great smothering save, as the rebound landed with a Middleton striker Emma was back on her feet to make another great save. Fantastic double save keeping Uppermill in the lead. Half time score 1-0 Uppermill.
Middleton kicked off the second half against a team with just one change. Uppermill swap Rachel Cummins for Becky Fox. With the wind behind them, Uppermill were determined to score. Middleton were barraged with shots in the following 5 mins with Natalie Radcliffe getting closest. A Gemma corner gets floated in beautifully but ended up back at Gemma's feet, a great shot wasn't quite dealt with by the keeper. Becky Fox was there to pounce on the ball. 2-0 Uppermill.
Holly subbed on for Beck Radcliffe at 55 mins was a straight swap. Again more chances for Uppermill, this time Becky Fox hits one but the wind just causing her a problem and it goes wide. Middleton were not going to give up though as they kept playing the long balls to the front two. The defence doing a great job of shutting everything down.
A ball played over the top by Caz for Foxy to chase had the Middleton defence and keeper in a muddle, with the keeper out of her area and the ball cleared straight to Natalie Radcliffe's feet at 30 yrds out, there was only one thing she could do. Natalie strikes the ball over the keeper's head straight into the net. Great lob. 3-0. Shortly after Natalie was subbed for Becky 'Gaga' Anderson.
The attacking play didn't stop from Uppermill as chance after chance and corner after corner was made. After a short corner, the ball ended up back at Gemma's feet. With plenty of people in the box Gemma looks up and crosses the ball straight into the net. Flukey. 4-0 Uppermill.
Just 7 mins later, Deja Vu for Gemma as another dodgy cross ended up in the back of the net. Fantastic but flukey. 5-0. Well done Gemma with a brace for the match. Middleton had about 3 solid bits of possesion in the Uppermill half. A shouder barge battle with Holly and a girl twice her height (slight exageration but only just) ended in Holly bettering the striker with her sheer power and dogged play.
The defence again needs to be commended for their great team work during the match. Not giving up u til the whistle blowed.
A fantastic peformance from the whole of Uppermill Ladies, well done girls.
Manager's WOM - Sophie O'brien.
