Having won our first two matches comfortably I think its fair to say that the girls thought all the games would be similar. Sherwood have always been a good strong side and so it proved.
The game kicked off with Woodlands playing up the slope with the girls played some nice football right from the off. The first 20mins were mainly dominated by Woodlands which saw the ball in the oppositions penalty area on several occasion without really creating any clear cut chances or troubling the keeper.
Having knocked on the door of the Sherwood goal, it was Sherwood that made the incisive break with a well taken finish leaving Annie in the Woodlands goal no chance.
This was the turning point of the game really, with the girls not coping at all with the fact that they had gone behind.
The remainder of the half was quite scrappy really with neither team playing much football or creating any clear shots on goal.
The second half was also a bit scrappy to start with and again neither side played any free flowing football but it was Sherwood who used their strength and pace to good effect which for some reason we could not cope with today.
Sherwood then broke clear down their right and unleashed a good strike on goal which Annie saved only to see the ball break to the forward again who drove it home to make it 2-0.
Woodlands really had a lot to do from there and huffed and puffed towards the final whistle with Katie’s miss from close range the only real chance we created in the second half.
All credit to Sherwood, they are a big physical side and play to their strengths which is their power and desire to win the ball which is something we didn’t have at all today.
As a team we must realise that taking teams on head to head is not our strength but playing football on the deck is. We must learn quickly to be more physical and stop being so nice to teams that show real passion.
All credit to Sherwood though they deserved the win through sheer determination and desire.
Many thanks to all the parents for travelling to support the girls, let’s hope we can show a reaction to today’s game next weekend at home to Clifton.
Players of the match : Katie W & Amy
Always proud of you.
Dave
Having not played since our semi final victory, Sunday saw the visit of an inform West Bridgford side fresh from a big win over Pegas
With a glorious day for football the girls flew out the blocks and with the first meaningful attack forced a corner. From the resultant corner kick the ball broke to Katie W on the edge of the box and she duly dispatched it back over the keeper to open the scoring inside 90 seconds. With Bridgford still gathering their thoughts and striving to get into the game, another corner resulted in the ball this time breaking to Emily on the edge of the box, who drove the ball into the net through a crowded penalty area.
Bridgford then came to life and forced Annie in the Woodlands goal to make several point blank stops before the defense was finally breached when Woodlands failed to clear their lines.
The second half saw a different Bridgford side with their tails up having got themselves back into the match and Woodlands found it tough to win the ball back in midfield. When Woodlands did break chances were few and far between, Katie M, Saff and Amy all going close to stretching the lead. With some fantastic defending throughout, the girls hung on to their slender advantage and gained a valuable three points to leapfrog Bridgford in the league table.
Having analyzed the game I think its fair to say that we started very well and got our noses in front but West Bridgford who are an emerging side in this division were always going to have their fare share of play and to take three points was a great result for us. With some very resolute defending we got the job done but we must work much harder to play the way we want you to play but sometimes you have to win ugly and we did.
Many thanks to the army of parents who came along to cheer us all on.
Also special thanks to our injured star, Robyn who despite severe pain in her leg was still there showing her support, we wish you a speedy recovery mate, we need you back.
Thanks to Alan and Laurie for reffing and running the line for the girls, your help is invaluable.
Always proud of you
