Ladies 5s 0 - 0 Bicester

Yet another cold and wet Saturday source take on Bicester ladies threes. Bicester pushed from the start and within the first couple of minutes we had our first defensive short corner, closely followed by another. Both were cleared by our great back 4. We then countered with a great drive up the right with some great simple passes all the way up to the D and our first attempt on goal. It just. Couldn't quite make it's mark and the ball headed up the other end. This lead to another short corner, despite a dive by TJ the ball went flying high in to the goal. Too high so he goal was disallowed, luckily for us! Bicester kept the pressure on and went for goal again, TJ was on fire though and made a great save.

This seem to galvanise us and we upped our game. Sophie drove up the wing passed off to Jess and then on to Annabel who took the shot across goal. Unfortunately we had no one on the post to tap it in. It was great to see accurate easy passes, we really thought about what we were doing. And this was shown again with another cracker by Jess up the pitch and once again Annabel was looking dangerous around he D, well supported by our forwards Becca and Emily.

Our midfield were not content to sit and watch, Catrin was a true Welsh dragon chasing down every ball! Anjali made her debut against a tough side, so we'll done. Pippa made sure r middle ground was well protected, she drove it up in to the D but once again we just couldn't get it in the goal. Sophie (on loan from the 4s) made a great run up the right all he way to the D but we didn't have to strength in front of the goal

Bicester went on the attack once more and we didn't mark tight enough leaving a player wide open in the D. She made the most of the opportunity with a shot on goal but skilfully kicked away by TJ. They kept th pressure on but our defence line kept strong and cleared out to the side or wellied it up the pitch!

Ruth gave the half time talk and we went back on the pitch energised, especially as Holly had joined us. We started with a good push up the pitch lead by Catrin but there was no one to receive it. Sophie then had a try but again no one in the D could get a touch on it. And this became the theme of the second half. Annabel, Holly and Catrin showed great skill getting it in to the D but we just didn't look dangerous to the keeper.

Bicester picked up one of these balls and caught us napping. A player ran all the way down to the D and took on TJ but she calmly cleared the ball away. They kept the ball in our defensive half which lead to a couple of defensive shorts, brilliant clear outs for Hayley acting as sweeper.

Annabel then made a great run up the wing to the D and it was us keeping the pressure on Bicester. We got a short corner and a great crack by Jess but we had no one to finish it off. Another short corner for us beautifully taken but cleared by Bicester who once again countered. Our marking was a bit loose and we left a player loose in front of goal, Hayley went in for the tackle, the whistle was blown and the ball win in to the goal! Paul had blown for a short corner not the goal, much to Bicester's frustration. The short corner was beautifully saved by TJ and cleared by the back line. And they kept the pressure on us, Hayley made a nice little stop and we gave another short but once again cleared calmly. We kept passing up the middle and giving the ball back tot the opposition. The last few minutes of the game were definitely Bicester's with everyone just working hard to ensure that they didn't score in the dying minutes.

Mission accomplished, we kept the score line to nil nil and gain one point. Catrin was voted man of the match for her great fighting spirit and skillful tackling. We all then went back to the clubhouse for birthday teas and to meet Winston!