gU13 08-Sep-07: Oswald Rd 0-10 Urmston Pumas (HT 0-3)

To start the match the whole team was ready for action Tara was tough, Zoe zippy, Katie was kicking, Sophie was sassy, Ruqayyah was rapid, Shaye was shining, Kenesha krazy and Rebecca was ready everyone was prepared. Unfortunately after the first half we were losing but we were not down hearted we all got back up there and played to the best of our ability. Though we still lost we are going to keep trying.

Katie

This was exactly the same match as our first match last season – except that was on the 9^th of September. And the match was in exactly the same position after the first half, with Urmston Pumas leading by 3 goals to nil. That’s where the similarities end though: Last season we came back but lost 2-4, this season we were handicapped by having one player fewer than the Pumas (8 vs 9), no subs, and playing with two players who had never played a competitive match before. So losing only 0-10 could be considered a kind of victory – we nearly held them to single figures! Goals at 13’, 28’ and 35’ in the 1^st half, and 36’, 37’, 40’, 42’, 49’, 59’ and 62’ in the 2^nd half.

Seriously though, we did play quite well considering our situation – Pumas seem to have got some very good new players who you’d have thought would play for their A team, the Panthers, so they’re much better than before. We will improve of course – our fitness will get better and so will our passing on the much larger pitch. I expect the next match with them to be much closer. The main area we need to improve on is our head-up passing – too many passes were too late, too short or misdirected. A player-by-player analysis follows:

Zoe-Lea: Played very well up forward when she got the ball, came back to help out when needed until she got tired in the 2^nd half. Intelligently went wide a few times to receive the ball.
Tara: Also did well moving up and down the pitch, fighting for the ball. Good running off the ball.
Shaye: Did extremely well for her first match! Showed exceptional speed to keep up with their attackers.
Katie: Good ball skills again, and very good tackles. Excellent passes when players available.
Kenesha: Another very good debut! Possibly our -fittest player, ran her socks off, kept going to the end.
Sophie: More very good and timely defending despite reduced mobility due to badly grazed knee.
Ruqayyah: Back in defence because of late drop-out. Good blocks and clearances, Spotted Zoe’s runs.
Rebecca: Made quite a few saves with hands and feet. Goal kicks getting better. Had no chance with most of the goals – either outnumbered or defenders let ball through them.

Kamal

Goals: nowt
Opposition’s Player of the Match: Zoe-Lea Dale
Managers’ Player of the Match: Kenesha Bagi
Team: (fwd) Tara, Zoe, (mid) Shaye, Katie(c), Kenesha, (def) Sophie, Ruqayyah, (gk) Rebecca