Girls Down Shots In Opener!
Here we go again! A good pre-season put to bed with a strong final run out against Stoneham, suggesting the team were aiming in the right direction. The only downside of the past 7 weeks, the news that Charlotte will probably miss this season with ACL/MCL damage and Aimee’s ankle injury that hopefully looks like is on the mend. I’m sure everyone will join me in wishing Charlotte all the best, she also has a tibia scan this week for a possible fracture ?????. Although having signed for Portsmouth (looking at dual signing) she remains a strong supporter of our team, I’m sure we will see her on the sidelines during the season. Also a mention to Andy in comms with opposition arranging friendlies/matches and of course Dave, as usual fighting our cause, rattling every cage from JpL to our wonderful parents to get the girls signed and good to go.
The girls’ first fixture in a mini-league cup format took the team to Aldershot Town for an afternoon kick off (much to the annoyance of Maddie coz it messed her day up!??). A healthy squad of 16 travelled, the game, under JpL rules, would be of 80min duration with the teams agreeing to play over 4 quarters. An overcast but dry afternoon, the pitch, a short pile 3G would make for a fast-paced encounter.
The first fixture of the season always adds an extra bit of excitement but it’s safe to say that from the whistle, the team flew out of the blocks! Within the first minute a high press saw Laila rattle the goalpost, the ball flying along the goal line to safety (the ball had actually crossed the line but was missed by the referee….it happens!) the next phase of play and Izzy took aim, her shot well saved. With no goal in their early dominance, the team were reminded there were two teams that wanted to win, Maisy smothering at the feet of the home side’ striker. The team showed across the first half, a good structure, patient build up play, working the ball around the sides of their hosts. Good work from Emilie and Brooke saw Izzy fire just over and Laila forced another good save from close range prior to the breakthrough, Brooke taking the chance to score the teams’ first of the season from Izzy’s quality delivery (0-1). Towards the end of the half Brooke’s clever movement and strike clatered the goalpost again after Belle and Carly’s good approach play before the half time whistle blew. HT 0–1
The half time talk was of staying patient, defensively tight and pushing for the second goal to kill the game. Aldershot had ridden their luck a bit, re-grouped and came out fighting in the second period, a much tighter encounter developed. Wimborne still looked most likely in the next 20minute period, a defected shot looped again off the post to Brooke, although in front of goal an awkward bounce saw her effort fly over the crosssbar. Emilie’s pressure on her opposition, backed up by Jess, Carly and Laila in midfield was a feature of the half, forcing mistakes and turn over and from the edge of the penalty area, Emilie’s shot well held by a very good home goalkeeper. As the minutes ticked by the result was still not confirmed, a single goal lead looking fragile, especially when the hosts broke free through the middle but Maisy, brave and quick enough to again smother at the feet of the attacker. This was not really a day for through balls, the fast pitch generally benefitting the GKs and the team had maybe been a bit guilty of going too straight, too soon at times. When involving our attacking full backs in Belle, Lila, Maddie and Sophia, the threat was more controlled, it was from these areas that the result would be confirmed, Sophia and Maddie overloading an underused left hand side, Maddie able to cross with accuracy from the edge of the penalty box and Brooke as expected in prime position to stroke a deserved second from inside the 6 yard box (0-2). It was now down to defensive pride whether the girls earned the victory with the bonus of a clean sheet but seemingly out of know-where Aldershot broke free in the final minutes, Maisy’s positioning and agility, saving well and earning the side the clean sheet they probably deserved.
FT: ATFC 0-2 WTFC
POM: Maisy (calm when needed, good distribution but most of all attentive and alert…..a deserved clean sheet for her and her team)
Summary: A competitive match, Aldershot giving as good as they got, especially in the second half but moments of quality decided this opener. For a team that is still developing, trying to gel and get to know each others games, this was an impressive start. There will be plenty of improvement ahead but enough was shown to suggest some interesting games were lying ahead. Although a couple of breaches, the central defence always looked strong, Grace really standing up, Scarlett and Eva looking to break out and carry the ball forwards. With Sophie settling just in front at CDM, that combination mopped up the majority of attacking play. Full backs, as stated previously proved they can be equally effective going forwards as well as doing their day job! Laila, Jess, Carly and Emilie were dominant for the most part in the engine room, Sienna and Izzy threatening in the wider areas of the pitch and Brooke a threat all game, reaping the rewards for the team and an individual brace of goals herself.
Well done to all!!
