Wimborne March Into 2025!
The first game of the new year for the team and a big one, a Hampshire Cup quarter final. Hartland had shown enough in a previous league meeting to suggest Wimborne would not have things all their own way and would have to put in the hard yards to earn a semi-final spot. No Ashleigh, Maddie or Sophia available although a strong squad of 16 were pitch side for this one. A home match on ‘foreign soil’, Ringwood Town 4G the venue.
Three minutes maybe doesn’t sound a long time but it feels it when under constant pressure, the visitors with a very strong start. The team eventually breeched the halfway line and with their first foray into opposition territory earning an early chance to take the lead from the penalty spot, a clear handball giving a very astute referee an easy decision. Izzy took the responsibility but her spot kick was brilliantly turned away by the visiting goalkeeper. The girls’ did have the better attacking moments during the first half but without really getting to grips with the game, very stop start at times which did not help with continuity. Sienna, Emilie and Izzy all had chances but the away GK was not really troubled again, her stand out penalty save the highlight of a relatively flat 45 minutes, understandable after over a month without a game for the team. At the other end Maisy’s handling was sound and assured, the defencive unit again showing dogged resistance to a lively opponent. HT 0-0 A more purposeful opening to the second period, seemingly clearer heads and passes now conecting. Around the hour mark, the more progressive team were to lay down their marker, Jess picking out Sienna with a cross field pass who in turn fed Brooke, still with plenty to do, manoeuvring the ball from left to right and finishing clinically (1-0). Maisy somehow managed to keep out a wicked cross with the help of her goalpost as Hartland looked for a way back into the match, a difficult task with Wimborne now countering more quickly and with more accuracy. Brooke just about evaded the offside flag to latch onto Scarlett’s through ball from left midfield, her shot parried back to her by the GK, no mistake second time round, slotting the ball into the empty net (2-0). Jess was unlucky from 20 yards, her strike just the wrong side of the goalpost as the team pushed for the all important third goal to put the tie to bed. With passes now linking, Sienna was set on her way, outpacing and cutting across her defender, then the awareness and ability to tee up Georgia, her well placed finish from around the penalty spot giving the goalkeeper no chance (3-0) and giving the team clear breathing space and ending Hartland’s stubborn resistance.
FT: WTFC 3 Hartland 0
POM: Brooke (Stayed patient and really came to life to set the team on their way…found space in the area when there was none!)
Summary: A great result for the girls and the reward of a semi-final spot. A very stop, start match made momentum difficult at times although the team stayed patient and showed their quality to take the game away from Hartland in the end. Another very strong defensive effort with Ava, Eva and Lila giving the stability for Belle and Grace to push from full back positions. A hard working midfield…Jess, Emilie, Laila and Sophie putting in the hard yards in what was a difficult, bitty game due to the amount of stoppages. Great to see Carly back on the pitch today after her well documented incident, back in the grove with a very controlled performance. Scarlett and Izzy giving the LH side balance, Sienna going from strength to strength, two more well delivered assists today and of course Brooke and Georgia both sharp in the penalty box to bag the goals. Between the sticks saw another very assured game from Maisy, without needing to be spectacular, superb handling and distribution today. Congrats girls, a great start to the new year! Bring it Weds and let’s kick on!!!??
