Another win for the Ladies 5s

Well played again everyone this week, another great win, 7-1!

We made a good start with a good press and soon got it Into the D loads of people seemed to get a stick on it but we just couldn't get it passed the goalie. We looked a bit desperate on the ball but gradually settled. We kept pressing the ball up and saw some great runs by Catrin and Charlie out on the wing in midfield. We spent a lot of time pushing for the D and these resulted in three short corners. Once again we just couldn't quite get it in the goal. But the next short corner paid dividends with a cracking shot from Jess W finding the back of the goal!

Our forwards were doing a great job of getting the ball in the D with good tactical play from Maisie, Ruth and Rippon. They each got a stick on the next attempt but the goalie just kept kicking it out. We definitely had the majority of play by this time. On our next press up Pippa gave a crack from the back line across goal and Newbury helped the ball in to score our second goal. Another press lead to yet another short corner and another brilliant goal from Jess W. And our last goal of the half, yes I did just write that came from Maisie up the right channel, Maddie and Emily were there to assist but she cracked it in and with a bit of a fumble it went over the line. 4-0!

Newbury worked hard and they weren't without their chances. Our midfield and defenders made sure that we kept tight. Pippa and TJ paired up in the middle to make sure the ball was fielded out to the wings. We often started crowding each other's space and we must remember to step out rather than step up to the play. Emily R in goal didn't get much to do in the first half our defenders, team Jess and Sophie were brought in to action and played solidly on the back but made sure it didn't get near her. In fact everyone tried really hard to track back when needed which was great to see.

Our Ruth Y gave the half time talk and it gave us all an opportunity to have a breather. We got back on the pitch excited to increase the score line. Our first push up was another good run by Catrin and we forced an error in the D resulting in a short corner. Another cracker by Jess W tapped in by Pippa to make sure we got another goal.

Newbury were determined not to make it easy on us and in the second half they made us work much harder for each ball. We did occasionally look a bit ragged and lost our positioning. Newbury took advantage of this with several attempts on goal. Emily R made some great saves coming out of goal to scare off the opposition. The game became far more tit for tat. We had one of Jess' high balls picked up by Maisie who shot for goal on,y to find the goalies pads. But Rippon took Ruth's half time advice and went for the rebound again and again and it paid off. I finally got to see a goal by Rippon, well done. It was the other Madie's turn to shine, with some lovely play up front forcing the error and getting us another short which she pushed in beautifully but we couldn't find the goal that time, Newbury replied by sending the ball back down our end and we replied with another press by us.

But when we left the back door open one of their fast runners drove towards the D. Jess D and Sophie tried to catch it and Emily R made a valiant effort to save to no avail. This seemed to focus us and where as we had started to flag, we now chased every ball and worked hard to shut down every opposition ball. There were also some nice one two passes and forcing errors in the D. TJ forced one that once again lead to a short but despite great attempts we couldn't get it passed Newbury. So the match ended on 7-1. Very proud of all of you for yet another win and a brilliant team effort.

We then retired to the clubhouse for birthday cake for Jess D, what a brilliant birthday present Jess!