After some later kick-offs we had a 09:30 match start on an unseasonably warm October morning. With Ella out with a fractured arm, Alice P unavailable and Edie unwell the ask of the 9 girls was to play the full match. Thea resumed in the role of captain.

We started in a 1-3-4-1 formation with Grace moving into defence alongside Bethany and Francesca with an ask the girls proactively manage support for corners and forward play. Midfield comprised Ella-May, Georgia, Daisy and Thea with Lola up front.

The first half (with a break for drinks) was hard fought with lots of forward pressure and Lola and Daisy making a breaks forward with multiple shots saved. Lola in particular had lots of chances and was rewarded with a goal towards the end of the half. The defence had worked hard, and Alice V made a few saves to keep the match very even.

At half-time, following discussion and agreement with the girls a positional change was made. Bethany has been very effective in recent games supporting forward attacking play, and excellent and tracking back to support defence. She switched into a midfield role, with Thea moving back into defence. This was done with a view to increase our attacking effectiveness.

Early in the third quarter Bethany score an excellent goal following a run forward. Alice V was again called upon to make saves. Ella-May made some notable runs along the wing and made a good pass to Daisy who scored to take the score to 3-0. Shortly afterwards following some excellent skill from Lola on the right wing where she twice stopped and then beat defenders, she scored her second goal. What was also pleasing to see this quarter was Daisy and Lola work together in attack with a couple of subsequent 1-2 passes back and forth to beat defenders, and although not leading to a goal a good demonstration of how such “bounce passes” can maintain attacking pressure.

In the meantime our defenders were working hard. Thea worked very hard on the left side, and battled hard to neutralise attacking pressure from Barwell, including an excellent piece of Russo style skill with a backheel pass forward along the wing. Francesca too was defending well and made some last girl defensive clearances to stop attacking pressure.

At the end of Q3 the girls were visibly tiring and unlike the opposition who had 2 substitutes did not have the opportunity to rest. The ask was to work hard for the final 15 minutes to maintain the lead which was 4-0 at that time. The opposition scored a goal early in Q4 to make the score 4-1. Soon afterwards Ella-May made a run on goal and had a shot saved. Lola scored her third goal, and Daisy also scored an excellent well placed goal after beating a defender to make the final score 6-1.

Georgia has really settled into the team quickly and is making a difference week-on-week. She worked hard in midfield in this game and demonstrated positive aggression in taking on players. Finally Grace who played in defence in this match and had an instrumental impact on the game. She took numerous long throws, along the wing and when in the final third into the box to support attacking play. She was tenacious in this match in her defence and running back strongly to overtake and tackle attacking players. She was awarded player of the match for her strong defending. Lola was also awarded player of the match for her attacking. After lots of early pressure Lola was rewarded with a hat-trick. One of Lola’s goals could be described as a screamer as it was extremely well struck ‘through the laces’ something Chad has encouraged in training.

Final words from coach Richard:
It was pleasing to see the girls communicate more amongst themselves in this match. Alice V communicated with the defenders organising them for corners, and the defenders themselves proactively arranged supporting corners. They are self-managing in matches more which is pleasing to see. Once again an excellent team performance. Well done girls.