With the sun on our backs for a change we welcomed Ilkeston Town to Woodlands today. Ilkeston have always had big physical teams and so it proved today.

The game got underway with both teams creating early chances to opening the score. The deadlock was broken when a long throw from Emily caught the Ilkeston defence square which allowed Katie M to race through and drill the ball past a very accomplished Town keeper.

With the Woodlands girls growing in confidence, chances kept on coming down the left hand side none of which were converted. Having not put the game to bed, Ilkeston started to grow in confidence and a low hard drive from Lilly saw Town get a much deserved equalizer.

The game could have gone either way with both teams creating chances. With the Woodlands midfield gaining the upper hand a great through ball from Emily sprung the offside trap for Katie to race clear again and make no mistake with a nice finish into the bottom corner of the net.

With the score at 2-1 at the break the girls knew they were in a game and would have to dig deep to finish the job.

Several chances came and went for both teams with both keepers making really good saves.

The game was finally finished when Chelsea broke clear on the left, looked up and played a pinpoint cross to Saff who just beet the advancing keeper to the ball to poke it home and take all three points.

To Ilkestons credit they more than played their part in what was a very good game and on another day could have themselves taken something from the game.

Annie : I know you were disappointed letting a goal in but your overall performance was right up there and you give the defence so much confidence.

Becky : You always set the bar high but today you were the rock back there that allowed us to play. You took some knocks which in the past may have seen you out of the game but today you showed how good you really are.

Lucy P : Very solid captains performance as usual. You kept the girls ticking over and along side Bex you are hard to break down.

Ashley : I have tried to move you forward in recent weeks and with Ilkeston being a real physical threat I went with you again at the back and you showed real class back there today. You missed one header early on and after that absolutely nothing got past you.

Amy : Great to see you getting into the oppositions penalty are this week. You and Ash down the right side linked up well and you were unlucky not to get on the score sheet.

Saff : Good powerful performance again, you are coming miss consistent in the middle and it was great to see you score again.

Katie W : Very good all round showing from you today and how you didn’t manage to score I will never know but you keep you head down and really grafted which everyone loves.

Mia : Quite a steady game for you today. As always you just go about your business in whatever position you are asked to play.

Emily : You showed how much playing for Woodlands means to you today, having a damaged ankle from Saturday it was never in question whether you would turn out today, then to get another ankle injury and still want to carry on says a lot about you attitude to footie and for the manager that is priceless.

Lucy W : Another player suffering from illness but still gave it your all. You may just have found another slot for your tenacious tackling and never say die attitude. You certainly ran your socks off and I never thought I would see you play in centre midfield but how wrong I was.

Katie M : I think its fair to say that you caused their defence the most problems today. You got in behind them so many times and if you were more selfish in front of goal could well have scored several goals today but you lead the line very well.

Anna : Sorry I couldn’t get you more time on the pitch, I realise its hard to come into a game that was so tight but you did really well and could have added to your goal tally.

Hannah : Again, apologies for not getting you much match time but as usual when you do come on you gave it your all and all the supporters were willing you to score but it just wasn’t to be today.

Chelsea : I hope you draw confidence from your second half performance, you proved that you are more than capable of playing in a number of positions and your through ball for Saffs goal was real quality.

Grace and Robyn : Not a sight I want to see too often, you two on the bench injured. It was great to see you there supporting your team mates though and they did you proud today I think.

Many thanks to all our supporters. It was great to see you all there, lots of family and friends and other team mangers which is always nice to see and much appreciated.

Thanks to everyone who helped out with setting up the pitch, running the line, running the tea stall etc you are all stars.

Thank you to all the coaches who help teach the girls on a Saturday and during the matches, your help is invaluable and very much appreciated by me.

Always proud of you all.