Another fantastic turnout from our parents as always and we welcomed the Nicholson family for the first time since Georgia signed earlier in the week.
The game started with both sides creating early chances but without piercing the defences. Woodlands were dealt an early blow when we lost our influential captain with a nasty knee injury. The nerves were soon settled when Saff wriggled through to find herself one on one with the keeper and found the corner of the net to open the scoring.
With the obvious quality that Mansfield had they pushed on and deservedly equalised with a low shot into the corner. The quick fire goals kept coming when Katie M found herself open just outside the area and clipped the ball over the keeper to make it 2-1 at the break.
The girls were given a few pointers at half time and promptly came out and scored, a fantastic through ball from Emily found Katie M who drove the ball into the corner of the net.
As in the first half Mansfield stormed back into the game and got a goal back when Annie was left on the ground from a good save the ball broke to the edge of the box and was poked home to keep the game alive at 3-2.
The girls knew they were in a tough battle and got stuck in again to try and create a bigger lead and when the ball fell invitingly to Georgia she dispatched it into the net as though she had been playing for us for years and was quite rightly greeted with the biggest cheer of the day.
Soon after Katie was again found by an exquisite ball from Saff to get her hat trick and make the score 5-2.
To Mansfield’s credit they were a threat for the full 70 minutes and the defence who were excellent today in front of Annie in goal, all had to be on their toes. Annie made some vital stops in the second half to keep the girls in it and as a team we dug in very well.
With Ashley playing very well at left back, the ball was played down the line to Georgia who in turn found Katie M who got clear down the left and with a ball to the edge of the box Georgia found the corner of the net for 6-2.
Shortly after with the same three players involved Katie M got in one on one with the keeper and unselfishly squared the ball to Georgia again who found the back of the net for her first hat trick on her debut for Woodlands FC.
Many thanks to all the parents who give up their time to support the girls and get them to the matches. I think its fair to say they put on quite a second half show and ground out a good win.
Thanks to the Allan family for their continued support and bringing Robyn along and to Lucy W who hopefully is only a few weeks away from returning to action.
Thanks to Alan for running the line to your impeccable standards.
A word of note has to go to Dave Swinscoe for a brilliant refereeing display and one that everyone passed comment on so very well done.
Our best wishes go to Mansfield who have a very good side and were very sporting throughout and a credit to Alison who has worked very hard for years with Mansfied Town and deserves a lot of credit.
Players of the match : Emily, Georgia, Katie M
