With the squad slightly depleted this week we travelled away to Sherwood. Kicking off on the sloping pitch, initially neither side could play much football either against the slope or the wind.

The game started to settle down and it was Sherwood who drew first blood when Eva was allowed to wriggle her way through on the edge of the area and toe poke her shot home from close distance. Woodlands eventually found their feet and started to play some nice football mainly in the wide areas. With Woodlands pushing on it was time for Annie in the Woodlands goal to pull off two very good saves to deny Sherwood a bigger advantage.

When Emily found some space out on the right she cut inside and let fly with a powerful shot, which the keeper was able to parry but only into the path of Ashley who coolly stroked home her fist goal in 2 years much to the delight of the travelling parents. This only galvanised Sherwood and with another mazy run, which went un-checked and Eva again put Sherwood ahead. Woodlands then dug in and looked to have equalised when Saffy unleashed a curling effort only to be denied by the woodwork.

After a few changes in position, Woodlands took the field in the second half hoping to be the next on the score sheet but sadly this was not the case when the Sherwood striker was allowed far too much time on the edge of the box and eventually got away a very well placed shot which left Annie in the Woodlands goal with no chance.

The game looked to be drifting away from Woodlands until Amy won the ball back, fed it to Saffy who slotted an inch perfect pass to Katie who allowed the ball to bounce once then coolly clipped the ball over the advancing keeper to make the score 3-2. The belief that the goal gave the girls spread through the team and it wasn’t long before Georgia again broke down the left, whipped in a cross, which caught the wind and the unfortunate Sherwood keeper could not keep the ball from creeping in under the bar. With Sherwood rattled it was time for Robyn to be re introduced and inject some real pace down the right flank and with the last attack of the game she raced clear but saw her shot roll agonisingly wide of the far post.

Overall a very entertaining game and a cracking advert as always for girls footie at this age. Both teams had chances to kill off the game but from a Woodlands perspective, our fitness and desire turned what would have been a crucial defeat into what may turn out to be a valuable point come the end of this campaign.

Thank you as always to the parents who’s support is invaluable and to Alan for reffing ( in Mandy’s T-Shirt ) and ensuring that game went ahead.

Annie: Overall I didn’t think you had a great deal to do today but when you were called upon twice in the first half you showed your class and pulled off two vital saves and were fairly helpless with any of the goals.

Chelsea: Another solid game for you again today. Very cool and composed and looked to turn defence into attack when ever possible which was a big plus for us today and a very worthy winner of the Player of the Match.

Lucy P: A little bit shaky at the back today at first but when you sorted out who was to take responsibility towards the end of the half you looked back to your best. The second half display was excellent and you showed that you can bring the ball out and distribute it very well.

Ashley: What can I say mate, not scored since 7 a side footie, came on as sub and scored with your first touch. You did everything that was asked of you as always and contributed to the game by playing everything very simply and precise which allowed us to keep possession much better. Chuffed to bits when your goal went in.

Becky: Again you suffered a bit with your asthma but before you had to come off were having a blinding game at the back. You never once missed a header and commanded the back line which gave us a base to build on going forward. I know you are starting to do things outside of football to help your breathing which is commendable.

Saffy: With Katie W missing today you were always going to have to work hard along side Emily for us to get anything out of the game. As ever you didn’t let us down and put in another Player of the match performance and were so unlucky not to get your name on the score sheet.

Amy: Slotting into the midfield today you took about 2 minutes to make a trademark challenge in the middle of the park which signified how you would play for the rest of the match. You broke up play well and showed glimpses of your pace, which we needed from time to time.

Katie M: You again showed flashes of your technique but again you must determine when to come wide to give help and when to stay and wait for the slotted pass. The most pleasing aspect of your game today was how you ran the line and didn’t get caught offside but as always when the chance arrives you are still one of the best finishers at the club.

Georgia: Not sure if you could have given us anymore today to be honest. You showed that you can track back at pace and gave their right back a torrid time all game. You worked very hard and although your cross found its way into the net you more than deserved your goal for what you put into your game and deserved the P.o.M award

Emily: I think in the first half you showed your defensive qualities for the team as we were on the back foot quite often. When you had the chance to distribute the ball you did it very well. With Becky being forced off you again showed your versatility by slotting in at the back to see out the game for us.

Hannah: This was by a country mile, your best game for Woodlands FC. You showed great strength on occasions and some real determination to keep the ball for the team and some of your distribution up front was real quality, for me you definitely came of age today and showed what we can expect from you in the future

Robyn: Pace, poise and effort, all qualities that you have in abundance. We all would have loved to see your chance at the end roll in but these things happen and the fact that we are creating chances like that is very positive as the build up play was by far the highlight of the match. You always work hard for the team and its great that we have you playing every week again as you have been missed.

Grace: I think when Sherwood were really attacking at the beginning of the game it was difficult for you to get a foothold in the match. Once it settled down, particularly in the second half you came into your own and started to pass the ball round for fun, which is your forte.

Lucy W: I know its been difficult for you lately to get into football again since you got hurt but as always the team are right behind you and we will be here for you when you re discover the feisty Lucy Walker that’s gives the team something completely different up front.

Even after all the games we have been involved in, sometimes you as a team still pull out a surprise or two along the way. Hand on heart I honestly didn’t think you had it in you to come back the way you did but credit where its due, you were all fantastic and if I had any hair I am damn sure it would be grey.

Extremely proud of the way you conducted yourselves and battled.