At Churchill playing fields on a mild Sunday afternoon the match started with Uppermill Ladies kicking off.
It became apparent immediately the Manchester Rovers were not going to let Uppermill off without a fight. The game was really scruffy to begin with. Both teams not really taking a grip of the match but both battling hard. Manchester Rovers got into the Uppermill box a couple of times but the defence dealt with it well.
Ten minutes in and no real chance in the game. Uppermill begin to get their feel for the game with a couple of attacks on the Rovers defence, one leading to a corner. Up goes Gemma who floats one into the box for Foxy to meet with her head, just over. Uppermill's attacks didn't stop there, Helen jumped on to a through ball and had a shot which went just over.
Rovers managed to put some passes together and attack Uppermill's half. A deflection from Gemma lands the ball at Beck Radcliffe's feet, a quick look up and a great pass up to Helen who sees a run from Foxy, the ball is played through and Foxy takes her chance with a placed shot into the net. 1-0.
Uppermill have a boost in confidence and keep the attacks coming, a throw in from Rio is met by Sinead who has a long range shot but keeper makes the save.
It's not long before Foxy gets another with an assist from Helen then just a minute later, Helen gets herself one with an assist from Sinead. 3.0. Uppermill are on a high. Another corner and Gemma steps up, this time Caz meets the ball and sends it goalwards, a nimble Ashleigh Jackson does a jumping splits move to get out of the way. The ball brushes Ash's leg and crosses the line. Dubious goal board needed for this one. 4.0.
Rovers do not give up and are constantly on the toes of Uppermill. They get a break just before half time (a definite offside but it is not given) but Gemma makes a great defensive tackle and stops any shot. Corner for Rovers taken and a goal mouth scramble ensues, finally the ball gets cleared by Jo, no goal this time. 2 mins later half time whistle is blown.
Jo limps off so second half Holly volunteers to go in net (nice one Hol) and on comes Shep to take over Holly's position. Within the first ten minutes Rovers are not giving up and with a couple of bad refereeing decisions they attack the Uppermill goal. A scramble here a last ditch tackle there, Uppermill manage to keep a clean sheet so far.
Just under 20 minutes into the second half Ash gets herself in a good position just in front of the Rovers defence, Foxy makes a run and Ash plays the ball through, Foxy takes a rather limp shot which manages to dribble through the keepers hands. Lucky goal but a goal it was. 5.0.
Subs made;Helen off Nat on (Ash moves to the right) straight swap Soph off Gaga on.
Ash on the right made some surging throughout the rest of the match. These made Foxy's day even better, Ash's crosses provided Fox with another 2 goals including a super stretching volley which was just behind her, that she managed to wrap her foot around and net. 7-0.
We're into 75 mins and Boote comes on for Rio. Beck moves out to the right and Boote slots in next to Gemma.
Within a few minutes Boote makes a tackle and forces herself forward with the ball with open space in front of her, she lays it off to Ash who links up with Foxy and Nat. Nat takes the shot, it's wide but really good play by the team.
After all of her assists it was time for Ash to grab a goal of her own, as she gets on the end of a through ball takes on the keeper and nets. Good goal. 8-0.
The whistle blows ten mins later. Victory yet again for Uppermill.
