The team lined up with a new look, with Sam injured (get well soon!) we needed a new 'keeper and Honor stepped forward to volunteer. She was protected by the ever reliable Molly who was partnered by Lowenna and supported by Jes who was asked to man-mark Knaresborough's top goal scorer. In midfield, Audrey played along side Emily who supported Chloe as the lone striker.
The Scorchers started well but Knaresborough had the best early chances and Honor was called into action a couple of times, but she showed that she is more than capable in goal and made some great saves. After this first few minutes however the Scorchers got into their stride and Molly, Lowenna and Jes worked very well together to cut out all the attacks of Knaresborough. In midfield Emily worked tirelessly to hold up the ball, draw in the defenders and put in one or two great through balls for Chloe to run onto. Unfortunately it was not to be our day and we were unable to create that final chance which would have given us a deserved goal.
Just as we started to think about getting into half time all square we were hit by the sucker punch when a innocent looking ball into the box was miss controlled and trickled over the line to give Knaresborough a 1-0 lead at half time.
The girls took a well deserved rest at half time after a performance that rated as one of the best halves of football this squad has ever put in. In the second half they continued where they had left off and continued to press forward while being solid at the back. Jes moved up into midfield as Knaresborough took of their striker, and Emily started to play more forward to create more chances.
At the back Molly and Lowenna were outstanding and very solid but tiredness strated to take its toll, so Audrey was replaced by Georgina in Midfield and she was asked to press forward and win the ball in that middle part of the pitch. Chances to equalise came and went but once again it was Knaresborough who got on the scoresheet as a good move saw a shot beat Honor but strike a post, unluckily it came straight out to the feet of the Knaresborough striker who had a simple tap in.
The girls did not let their heads drop and continued to press forward. Elouise came on for Lowenna, who had played her best game for the Scorchers, and she played solidly and with confidence at the back. However, the elusive goal would not come and the match ended with a 2-0 scoreline to Knaresborough.
Player of the match was a tough decision as every single player had played at their best, the substitutes of Georgina and Elouise made a great contribution when they came on and the rest of the team can be proud of their effort and commitment in the game. Honor was solid in goal, making some great saves and commanding her area, Lowenna was outstanding and is developing into a great defender, Molly was her usual tenacious self, tough tackling and some lovely ball skills being displayed, Audrey worked hard and made life difficult for Knaresborough in Midfield and Chloe had her best game of the season, working hard to make the runs and tracking back to defend when the team needed her help. But player of the match went to Emily who worked tirelessly in midfield, showed some great ball control, had a couple of great chances to score from corners and captained the team in her usual vocal manner. It was a tough decision and almost any player could have made a viable claim for player of the match in this game such was the commitment shown by the whole team.
Well done to everyone, maybe it will be our turn to get the win next week when we play Knareborough again at their ground.
