Starlands welcomed Redditch to Aldridge School for the second time this season.
Last time out the game was cancelled due to a frozen pitch . The girls stil played a friendly with Redditch winning 5-1?...I think...a everyone having DOMINOS PIZZA !
So, the game was re -scheduled and to be fair Redditch were victors once again...However, only just !....
Starlands welcomed back Holly...a welcomed addition. Unfortunately Zohra was unwell so we were down to 10....Again !
This looks like being the norm...and with such a promising 1st half to the season....will result in us falling down the league table. Especially as the likes of Droitwich and Wythmoor have recruited NEW PLAYERS from Premiership Teams like HALAS....Oh well.... We'll battle on...and we'll continue to look for experienced established players to strengthen our team for the remainder of this season and next !
Starlands made a strong start and both Olivia and Beth squandered good opportunities. One of Olivias shots would not have been out of place at Twickenham !....Just lent back a little bit :) On a serious note I asked all the girls to shoot shoot shoot. I am not bothered about missing...and they did as they were asked - and on another day we could have had a couple of goals.
Saying that, Redditch could equally have had a few goals - and it was only Holly returning from injury that saved our bacon !...oh and the defensive quartet of Amber,Sam,Chloe and Laurice who all chipped in with some telling blocks and tackles.
Kiera had a terrific game today. ... ( In parts ) At some points she was using her skills to skin the Redditch players. She was leaving them for dead, spinning on a six pence and putting in some crosses - one of which led to Olivia getting back on the goal trail and giving us a 1-0 lead ! On other occassions she drifted off a little and didnt track back. However, in the main she was deservedly girl of the game...and I am sure she was relieved not to be playing in goal again this week !
The pitch was very very boggy - and it was 50/50 whether the game would be on. I am pleased we did manage to get it on...regardless of the result. I can't help be disappointed with not getting something from the game. Especially having taken the lead, defended resolutely and going into the break 1-0 up. Only to give away a silly goal..to allow Redditch back into the game.
We then were awarded a penalty for Olivia being hacked down in the box - but Beth shooting high and Leanne saving by tipping it over. We continued to battle away and only conceded a last minute winner through an uncharacteristic mix up between Chloe and Holly.... a real shame..... But, I think with 10 players we did really well to take it to the wire.
Toni rested on her laurels a little today - failing to clear the ball or track back - and was finding it hard going against a bigger team on such a heavy surface - it didnt suit her skillful interplay - when what was required was a BIG BOOT !
Amber fitted in at right back - and I know she doesnt like the position - but once again showed some real class , being able to use her pace. Whether I can get her to play there again remains to be seen !.....
Hannah was .....You guessed it everywhere !....Kiera continued where she left on in the 1st half...flashes of brilliance with times of head in the clouds !
Samantha gave a much improved performance and was doing well to match the right winger...gliding across the heavy boggy ground to be a hinderance.
Laurice and Chloe didnt really put a foot wrong....
Beth abd Olivia our two ginga ninjas upfront - didnt quite gel together. Again , I think the heavy ground had an effect on the little flicks Beth was trying to play through. SOmetimes you've got to put your foot through the ball ! play it into the channels.... But, we certainly gave The Redditch defence something to think about - and more than once their big centre back tracked back to make clearances and prevented us from more chances.
Olivias penalty - taken by Beth. I remember seeing Beth take a penalty for Walsall Wood once - and she really did give it a thump. I was confident she would score again. But, against a Big Redditch keeper the right option would have been to place it low and in the corner. It was well struck but at a nice height for the keeper to deflect up and over the bar. I do think if we had gone 2-1 up it may have knocked the stuffing out of Redditch. As it was,....iut gave them a let off...and and added sense of maybe a win.
This proved to be the case...as another defensive error allowed the ball to go through Hollys legs..to make it 2-1 to Redditch and secure the win. Such a shame because after 7 weeks out Hoilly had played a brilliant game - diving, coming off her line, big kicks etc.
All in All , I think Redditch played the better football - and deserved the win. We were very unlucky not to get at least a draw...BUT, who can begrudge such a nice team as Redditch a win !... Well Done Girls and Good Luck for the rest of the season !
SHame Mick couldnt make it...Away on a Wedding Anniversary weekend away.
Our Girl of The Game was Kiera - and No.7 was awarded a trophy for Redditch. Well DOne !
