MATCH REPORT

Thanks to Sally and Lucy we started with 12 players. We were aware of Spalding's recent results, but we didn't let that phase us. We started very strong. They had the 1st push back but we immediately won the ball and started to attack.

Our defence was strong from the start and we gave them a real challenge. We quickly realised their forwards were faster than us and a couple of us hung back so we didn't suffer on the break. Lorraine made some excellent saves and we worked to clear the ball when it was hiding near her pads. It wasn't long before Spalding won short corners. Unfortunately we didn't close down their shots and the ball went in the bottom right past Lauren. 1-0 to Spalding.

We fought back and got the ball to their D several times. Jess and Martha were constantly challenging in midfield and disrupting their play, but we couldn't convert any of our chances. The pitch was slippy and a few us hit the deck. Lisa slipped near the edge of the D while clearing a ball and felt a pull in the back of her leg so went off. Amber took over at the back and Charlotte went back to right mid.

Spalding attacked again and we were overwhelmed. One of their players struck the ball across the D but Lauren got too loose a touch on it and it deflected towards one of their team waiting by the right post who got the final touch into the goal. 2-0 Spalding. Half time, 2-0 down. We were playing well and fighting hard but we just needed to make that extra effort to get to the loose ball before them. There was some excellent passing from Lucy and Sally up the right wing and support from Jess in the centre who was able to spread the ball to Hannah, Martha and Immi.

Emma arrived and injected some much needed pace. She made some great challenges for the ball even taking the ball on the volley and passing it forward. We soon won a short corner. The first shot was saved but we were quickly into the D in numbers and Immi, Hannah and Martha all had a go before Amber got the final touch to score. Spalding got the ball in midfield and sent it forward past our defence. Lorraine had to make a very well timed clearance just as the ball crossed the line into the D. Tania was on fire today and made so many vital interceptions throughout the game, passing it or working the ball out of the D.

Spalding passed another ball in which Lauren cleared up field to Immi. Immi passed it towards Amber on the right but unfortunately she couldn't get to it in time. Just before the final whistle Spalding won a short corner. Soon their whole team were lined up around the D and after numerous attempts finally got a shot off that went into the bottom left corner of our goal. It was a shame to end 3-1, but we had put in a great team effort. Everyone played their socks off and there was good communication. Martha Hoyles won POM for all her running and dribbling the ball past Spalding.