I know, I know! I’ve been waiting for this all weekend too! But you can’t rush such a literary masterpiece!!…….
***Pauls Match Report*** Hartland Hit Wimborne’s Brooke Wall!
The first league game of the season for the team against an unknown opponent. I think everyone was hoping for a more competitive match after a fairly straightforward cup encounter last time out. An already undermanned squad was hit with a further four late withdrawals leaving a bare team of 11 players for the travel to Basingstoke. The game was to be played over 4 twenty minute periods….for some reason unknown to us.
A relatively even first half, probably the stand out moment when Izzy’s strike from fully 30yards rattled the Hartland crossbar. The home team more than matched the black and whites for long periods and Brooke between the posts had to be on her guard but there was nothing too troubling for her. For the girls, it seemed slightly disjointed at times, unable to get a grip of things in midfield which meant for a ‘to and fro’ affair. Half chances for Brooke, Georgia and Izzy were not capitalised on and overall, 0-0 at the break was probably about right. HT 0-0 If the first 40 minutes had been a bit underwhelming, the second half was to be far more eventful. The half time re-group had the desired effect and a much more purposeful team were now starting to go about their business. Control now in midfield, the chances were ground out, Brooke’s effort was well saved after good work from Emilie and Jess, and Georgia saw her effort slip just wide of the goalpost. Sienna was her usual vibrant self on the flank although a small and very fast 3G pitch gave her little room to play, on 53 minutes she checked back, just managed to find Emilie who floated a delightful cross that Brooke was all over, her flicked header beating the home goalkeeper to open the scoring (0-1). Other half chances did not fully test the GK although Lila’s raid and shot had her scurrying across her goal line but again the effort narrowly wide. Now, a turning point! Having to stop again 20 mins into the half halted momentum and shortly after the next restart the hosts broke into the area for the first time in the second half and a penalty was correctly awarded after a mistimed challenge. Would the teams’ good spell count for nothing?….absolutely not! Brooke picking the right way to dive and save well low to her left hand side. Back on the front foot, the scare now over it looked like a second goal was not far away. Brooke in goal probably should have earned an assist, her long kicking clearing a high defensive line on several occasions which just lacked a clean contact from Wimborne’s offensive players. The one goal lead always seemed a bit fragile, especially with good chances squandered and a flood of corners that came to nothing. A good chance from the hosts again saw Brooke again save well, this time low to her right hand side. A nasty moment for Maddie, turning her ankle whilst trying to clear the ball put paid to her plucky defensive display and left the team to play the final minutes with a player less. Jess, playing CDM today had dictated a lot of the teams good possession and looked to have wrapped things up, her snap shot from 25yards just inches away, rebounding off the goalpost with the home goalkeeper well beaten. The time ticked round to the games conclusion and with the referee ready to blow the final whistle the home side forced a final corner kick. From the corner Brooke again saved a certain goal, the rebound pounced upon by a Hartland player and smashed onto the crossbar in the final act, Wimborne’s players understandably tentative in the challenge in case of giving a last -second penalty. The curtain was brought down meaning a valuable 3 points for the team.
FT: Hartland 0 WTFC 1
POM: Brooke W (decided the result with big moments, especially on the second half…a very assured display)
Summary: A very well earned 3 points. The team will play much better this season and may not come out on top all the time but to be fair the build up had been awful and hopefully the injury to Maddie will not be as bad as first thought. Toughed it out at times but the game was decided by a goal of quality from Brooke. Eva, Lila, Maddie and Grace, backed up by GK Brooke deserved their bit of luck and the clean sheet today. Jess, Emilie and Georgia gradually found their feet to dominate much of the second half, Izzy and Sienna asked questions of the hosts back line and Brooke was where she needed to be to bag the winner. A backs to the wall performance…well done to all!
