After losing to Beckwithshaw in a very keenly fought pre session
friendly we knew that it would be a very physical game and we would need to be
fully committed and strong when they visited the Cricket Club for the league
fixture. This proved to be the case
from the start with a very committed approach from both sides. The first part
of the game was dominated by some tough tackling as both sides fought to gain
the initiative. As per our last league
game the midfield of Bella, Captain Danni and Emily worked incredibly hard to
get on top in midfield. After a scrappy start we began to pass the ball well
with all working hard off the ball to create space when in possession to give
teammates options. (Thanks to Emma at
LUFC ladies for session last weekend!) We created a number of good chances but unfortunately
we could not put any of them away. We
continued to just edge the game with Anya and Katie looking a solid partnership
at the back and making some sensible decisions - Playing football when possible
and putting their foot through the ball when necessary. The game continued to
be a very keenly fought match with some very committed tackling by both sides all
over the park. From a Scotton point of view this was typified by a number of
full on but fair challenges from Katie who again showed a great desire to
win. Mid-way through the first half we thought
we had managed to take the lead when Emily hit another long range shot that the
referee initially awarded as a goal. However after consulting with a number of
people the goal was unfortunately ruled out due to not being fully over the
line. Disappointing, but our heads did
not go down and we continued to play well. Up front Amy in particular showing a
good turn of speed on a couple of occasions to ghost past defenders only to be
denied by some last ditch defending by the hard working Beckwithshaw defence. However as we moved towards half time
Beckwithshaw struck with a sucker punch.
Beckwithshaws “stand out” player was well tackled on the edge of the penalty
area but the ball fell invitingly for her to finish at the second attempt.
Half Time – 0-1.
Once again we started the second half looking the better
side by passing the ball well and pushed continually for the equaliser but
again could not find the back of the net. The pressure finally paid off when we were
awarded a penalty for a poor challenge in the box. Danni stepped up, smashed the ball goal bound
but unfortunately it cannoned of the crossbar and was subsequently cleared by
the Beckwithshaw defence. The penalty miss only increased our determination to
level the scores and the Beckwithshaw goal was peppered by a number of shots
and we had a succession of corners but could just not break through as a result
of a combination of poor luck and resilient defending.
Now and again
Beckwithshaw broke and posed a threat on a couple of occasions keeping Grace on
her toes from shots that she dealt with comfortably. The game came to a close with every Scotton
player having given 100% and having played well but on this occasion we came
out on the losing side. The positives
far outweighed the negatives and were
there for all to see , we played well, passed the ball and found space continually
, kept our discipline and shape, created chances and on another day could have won by 2 or three goals. That said Beckwithshaw played a significant
part in the game and will have been very happy to return home with all three
points after an extremely competitive and close fought match.
In the second game we swapped the team completely to ensure
everyone got competitive game experience. Grace stayed in goal, Emma and Alice playing
in defence, Hannah and Izzy playing in midfield with Ellie Mc taking up the striker’s
role. Izzy picked up the skippers armband
and immediately started to encourage the largely younger players around her. With
our new team on the pitch against a Beckwithshaw team that played most of the
first game not surprisingly it took a while for us to get into the game. Everyone gave 100% and again it was good to
see on a number of occasions Izzy and Hannah combining well together to get
Ellie Mc running at goal but similar to the first game we could not find the
net. The greater experience of the Beckwithshaw
team started to show as the game went on and they managed to exploit a couple
of lapses to go 2 up. We continued to
compete and it was good to see both Emma and Alice getting more involveled as
the game went on. Although under pressure for most of the game both worked hard
on their defending but could not stop us going into the break 0-3 down. Beckwithshaw
continued to threaten and with a number of older and stronger girls managed to
score another couple before the end of the game.
To the girls credit it must be said that at no point did any
of the girl’s heads drop and they continued to give everything until the final
whistle went.
Player of the matches was Izzy In the second game for her 110%
effort and encouragement to her team mates
In conclusion a couple of well contested games where
although both results went against us all will have gained invaluable experience. Well done to every player who gave 100% in
both games.
