Caversham AFC 1 - 1 Tilehurst Panthers Stripes

Caversham couldn't quite make it 5 straight wins, but still extended their unbeaten run to 6 games having lost just 1 in 8. They came up against a Tilehurst Panthers Stripes team that is much improved from last season and are now strong favourites to take the league runners up spot. It was a tough game on the wide 9 a-side pitch at Highdown School with the game having been switched from Clayfield Copse. Caversham started strongly creating a early chances that were ruled off-side. Tilehurst's dangerous strikers were kept in check by outstanding performances from Lianna, Olivia, Niamh and Leah who rotated the full back positions under the stewardship of Marha. It was testament to the hard working and well organised defence that Tilehurst created so little and on the whole Serena had very little to deal with. Caversham were unfortunate to go behind to Tilehurst's only real clear cut chance of the first half, but it was a well worked and well finished goal that separated the teams at half time. Caversham came our strongly for the second half with Grace having an excellent game in midfield and the pace of player of the match Tia, Izzy and Anna all causing problems for Tilehurst. Up front it was a frustrating morning for Evie and Daisy as they came up against the best defence we've seen in the league this season. The organisation and pace of the Tilehurst back line meant chances were few and far between. Midway through the second half Ruby, who was having her best game of the season in a Caversham shirt, found Daisy with the perfect pass. Daisy turned the defender to create enough space on the edge of the box and fired the equaliser past the Tilehurst keeper. It was no more than Caversham deserved and Daisy's delight at hitting her 10th of the season was obvious for all to see. As Tilehurst tired, Caversham looked more the likely to find a winner in the closing stages, but it wasn't to be and they had to settle for a well deserved point.