The weather finally gave us an opportunity to get back to league football and a trip to Wetherby was our first match of 2013.
After a long winter break from matches it was hoped that we could get back into our stride quite quickly despite the continued damp and muddy conditions. The squad wasn't quite at full strength but we had plently of options available and started the match strongly. Sam started in goal, nursing a hand injury sustained in the warm up and a back injury from several weeks ago, it was hoped that the defence of Georgina, Lowenna and Molly could protect her as much as possible! In midfield Honor was flanked by Grace and Courtney while Emily partnered Chloe up front.
The team started well and controlled the game from the kick off with a lovely passing move that nearly led to a goal in the first few seconds of the game. It was not long before the Scorchers took the lead with a lovely driven from Emily which hit the underside of the bar and into the net. 1-0
However things did not go to plan and the Scorchers started to lose the ball in midfield and looked slow at the back. The result was that Wetherby started to win more possession and a slotted through ball caught the defense napping and a powerful shot found the bottom corner which Sam could do nothing about. 1-1
Emma and Seren came on with Molly pushing into midfield and slowly the Scorchers got back into the game, particularly as we competed for the loose ball in midfield. Many attacks followed but the elusive second goal would not come. One attack resulted in a corner from the left and, as usual Emily swung this into the danger area. Chloe beat everyone to the ball and thumped a powqerful header against the cross bar. The ball came straight back at Chloe and in the tussle for the ball with the alert Wetherby defender the ball found its way into the net to make it 2-1 at half time.
Sam's injury got the better of her so Courtney volunteer to go in goal, Grace switched to the right and Molly played on the left hand side of midfield with Emma playing in the left back role for the full second half.
The team talk at half time was all about continuing to press and win the ball in midfield and to get the ball into the front two at the earliest opportunity. The wingers were also requested to press forward when the chance arose and to give us more options wide. The girls delivered the plan to perfection with some of the best football all season being played. Honor commanded the central midfield while Molly and Grace pushed forward with every opportunity. Georgina and later Seren commanded the right side while Emma had by far and away her best performance since returning to the team, safe in the knowledge that Lowenna was always there to mop up! The result was that the match started to turn almost immediately, Emily got her second when fed the ball by Chloe from the throw in to make it 3-1 and then quicklly followed it up with her hat-trick to make it 4-1. Within 5 minutes Chloe got her second to make the score 5-1 and mid way through the second half the Scorchers found themselves in control of the game.
It was time for some changes and Molly was pushed to the striker role to see if she could capitalise on her attacking intent and within 2 minutes she got herself on the scoresheet. A smart piece of goalkeeping from Coutney meant that she could gather the ball quickly and put in a kick well over the half way line. Molly was ready to pounce and she beat the offside trap to race clear, getting the ball under control and slotting it past the advancing keeper to make it 6-1.
Wetherby got one back late on to make the score 6-2 but the result was secured and the final score reflected the assured performance of the team, particularly in the second half. Player of the match could have been any one of the players with Emily, Chloe, Molly and Emma all putting in great performances. However the award went to Honor for a superb performance in the middle of the pitch which was the reason we were so dominant in the second half.
Next week we do it all again at Wetherby, this time in the Cup!
Come on the Scorchers!!
