There is no doubt that the game we played against Wareham in the cup rates as the best we’ve ever played. Not for the result but for the way we played as it was a demonstration of everything a team needs in terms of dedication and passion and skill.
It came a shock therefore that when we played them in the away fixture during the league that those essential ingredients (and just about everything else) had gone and we got mullered!
So with all this in mind it was hard to guess which way this match, the last in our league, would go. Like the cup or like the last league match?
The team arrived and quickly got into their warm up which included rattling off a lot of shots at goal. I noticed how well they were being hit and from a good way out (shove off Ronaldo) and felt a good spirit running.
The team order was set, tactics discussed and it was time for kick off. From the whistle the team wasted no time and got busy trying to win possession but Wareham as usual were strong and after 3 mins and 14 seconds walloped a shot past Lydi. ‘Oh dear’ I thought (or words to that effect) ‘if the team gets dispirited it’s going to be another league monster’.
But quite the opposite happened!J
After a demonstration of some excellent passing and moving Hannah (who I shall call Inky from now on) found herself streaking towards goal and made light work of the finish with a well timed, clinical finish. We were 1-1 after only 6 mins and 7 secs. It was clear everyone had their heads up and was going for it.
The game continued at a fantastic pace with both teams battling hard. Everyone in our squad put in a huge effort and despite a lack of communication at times which resulted in a few mistakes we looked really together.
Wareham seemed to have a bit too much time in our half of the pitch for my liking but that got changed dramatically after a clearance from Crizza delivered the ball out to Inky’s ever-ready boot and off she went to goal and once again smashed a shot past their keeper. We were 2-1 up and only 19.24 mins into the game. It was really shaping up to be a brilliant match, especially as we were ahead! Unfortunately this didn’t last long when Wareham got possession and put on a good display of heading and passing to beat our defence. The score was now 2-2 with 26.59 on the clock.
But don’t despair dear reader as, during the whole of the first half, Rhea (who had been running through a hamstring twang) battled on to show us how a right wing run should be made on a number of occasions. She dropped in some of the crispest and most accurate crosses and it was one of these that set up Em (who was fresh back from her horrendous ankle injury) who took no time whacking out a devastating shot that their goalie probably didn’t even see coming. 3-2 and 28.21 mins into the game, fantastic stuff.
The remainder of the first half continued at the same pace and both sides played their skins off. Then not too far before the end a penalty was awarded against us ‘oh no’ I thought (or words to that effect).
Wareham stepped up to take it but hadn’t figured on Lydi being as safe handed and she put to good use her keeping skills by saving it!! Phew! So, its was 3-2 to us at the whistle.
At half time we discussed the need for improvements here and there and with one goal difference in our favour we took to the pitch.
Wareham came out strong and took only 4 mins 55 secs of the half to slot home a lucky goal which rebounded off one of their players after a corner L
Then something interesting happened as Wareham either started to tire or their structure failed but they seems to start degenerating into punt and hope style of play. What was even more interesting was we didn’t and in fact showed some real flair all over the pitch: great defensive runs, tough midfield battling, more ‘one-two’ passing than I’ve ever seen, gritty determination and….communication!!!
It was all of these factors combined that once again enabled us to get the ball out to Inky who took on 2 or 3 defenders before racing to goal and delivered yet another well thought out shot that gave their goalie no hope. We were 4-3 up and 54.34 mins into the match.
The clock was ticking and the game was still very, very intense. It flowed from one end to the other but on balance we had far more possession and definitely looked the better team.
The dream of winning our final match became a reality and the thought of the extra points crept into my mind. Sadly it got slapped down when Wareham, in one final bid, burst though and finished with a goal. It was 4-4 with only 5 BLOOMING SECONDS REMAINING – ARRRRGGGGGHHH!
‘Oh dear’ I thought (or words to that effect) as the final whistle blew and it was all over. Whilst the point was a nice thing to get the biggest reward by far was to see the team working so well and so hard. It was an absolute pleasure to watch and a great way to finish our league.
It was really, really difficult to select MVP as everyone had done many things to deserve it but to me Rhea displayed strength, passion, determination and skill in not only delivering those crosses but working so hard all the time. Congratulations Rhea!!
So that’s it. No more blogs, no more leagues matches to write about, no MVP awards to celebrate. But don’t worry dear reader we’ll be back in September in the U17 league fitter and more cohesive than ever.
Thanks for reading.
It came a shock therefore that when we played them in the away fixture during the league that those essential ingredients (and just about everything else) had gone and we got mullered!
So with all this in mind it was hard to guess which way this match, the last in our league, would go. Like the cup or like the last league match?
The team arrived and quickly got into their warm up which included rattling off a lot of shots at goal. I noticed how well they were being hit and from a good way out (shove off Ronaldo) and felt a good spirit running.
The team order was set, tactics discussed and it was time for kick off. From the whistle the team wasted no time and got busy trying to win possession but Wareham as usual were strong and after 3 mins and 14 seconds walloped a shot past Lydi. ‘Oh dear’ I thought (or words to that effect) ‘if the team gets dispirited it’s going to be another league monster’.
But quite the opposite happened!J
After a demonstration of some excellent passing and moving Hannah (who I shall call Inky from now on) found herself streaking towards goal and made light work of the finish with a well timed, clinical finish. We were 1-1 after only 6 mins and 7 secs. It was clear everyone had their heads up and was going for it.
The game continued at a fantastic pace with both teams battling hard. Everyone in our squad put in a huge effort and despite a lack of communication at times which resulted in a few mistakes we looked really together.
Wareham seemed to have a bit too much time in our half of the pitch for my liking but that got changed dramatically after a clearance from Crizza delivered the ball out to Inky’s ever-ready boot and off she went to goal and once again smashed a shot past their keeper. We were 2-1 up and only 19.24 mins into the game. It was really shaping up to be a brilliant match, especially as we were ahead! Unfortunately this didn’t last long when Wareham got possession and put on a good display of heading and passing to beat our defence. The score was now 2-2 with 26.59 on the clock.
But don’t despair dear reader as, during the whole of the first half, Rhea (who had been running through a hamstring twang) battled on to show us how a right wing run should be made on a number of occasions. She dropped in some of the crispest and most accurate crosses and it was one of these that set up Em (who was fresh back from her horrendous ankle injury) who took no time whacking out a devastating shot that their goalie probably didn’t even see coming. 3-2 and 28.21 mins into the game, fantastic stuff.
The remainder of the first half continued at the same pace and both sides played their skins off. Then not too far before the end a penalty was awarded against us ‘oh no’ I thought (or words to that effect).
Wareham stepped up to take it but hadn’t figured on Lydi being as safe handed and she put to good use her keeping skills by saving it!! Phew! So, its was 3-2 to us at the whistle.
At half time we discussed the need for improvements here and there and with one goal difference in our favour we took to the pitch.
Wareham came out strong and took only 4 mins 55 secs of the half to slot home a lucky goal which rebounded off one of their players after a corner L
Then something interesting happened as Wareham either started to tire or their structure failed but they seems to start degenerating into punt and hope style of play. What was even more interesting was we didn’t and in fact showed some real flair all over the pitch: great defensive runs, tough midfield battling, more ‘one-two’ passing than I’ve ever seen, gritty determination and….communication!!!
It was all of these factors combined that once again enabled us to get the ball out to Inky who took on 2 or 3 defenders before racing to goal and delivered yet another well thought out shot that gave their goalie no hope. We were 4-3 up and 54.34 mins into the match.
The clock was ticking and the game was still very, very intense. It flowed from one end to the other but on balance we had far more possession and definitely looked the better team.
The dream of winning our final match became a reality and the thought of the extra points crept into my mind. Sadly it got slapped down when Wareham, in one final bid, burst though and finished with a goal. It was 4-4 with only 5 BLOOMING SECONDS REMAINING – ARRRRGGGGGHHH!
‘Oh dear’ I thought (or words to that effect) as the final whistle blew and it was all over. Whilst the point was a nice thing to get the biggest reward by far was to see the team working so well and so hard. It was an absolute pleasure to watch and a great way to finish our league.
It was really, really difficult to select MVP as everyone had done many things to deserve it but to me Rhea displayed strength, passion, determination and skill in not only delivering those crosses but working so hard all the time. Congratulations Rhea!!
So that’s it. No more blogs, no more leagues matches to write about, no MVP awards to celebrate. But don’t worry dear reader we’ll be back in September in the U17 league fitter and more cohesive than ever.
Thanks for reading.
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