Westwood Wanderers 5 - 5 Caversham AFC

Caversham had to settle for a point in a thrilling game at Denesfield School, Tilehurst against Westwood Wanderers. After suffering a big defeat to Westwood earlier in the season, it looked to be more of the same when Caversham conceded straight from the kick-off. However, Caversham composed themselves and created a number of chances to bring the game level as Tia, Daisy and Evie took the game to the Westwood defence. It was against the run of play when Westwood scored a second with a powerful counter attack, but as Caversham continued to cause problems the game looked far from settled and so it proved to be. Evie pulled a goal back to kick start a torrent of attacking football from Caversham. Daisy broke the defence and fired her shot into the roof of the net from distance and suddenly it looked like Westwood would completely fold as their heads dropped. Evie then scored a third in a ten minute spell that completely turned the game around and suddenly Caversham looked like they would run away with the game, such was the commitment of the whole team. A shell shocked Westwood were able to re-group at half-time and the second half became a much more balanced affair. With Westwood able to field some of the best players in the league at this age group, Caversham were always going to be vunerable with such a slender lead. Serena had a great game in goal, looking assured. Grace led a hardworking defensive line up of Niamh, Olivia and Lianna who always did enough to close down the vast majority of any Westwood creativity. Anna put in a strong claim for player of the match with strong tackling and composed passing from midfield to the front line. The pace of Tia and Izzy terrified the Westwood defense again and again during the whole game. With Caversham playing by far the better football the game looked to be their's for the taking, but once again an individual counter attack powered through for an equaliser. With the result hanging in the balance, Caversham capitalised on a goal keeping error for player of the match Evie to nip in and grab her first hatrick for the team. Westwood's midfielder was not done though as the game became about dealing with one player and again she powered through for her fourth of the game. Now with time running out it seemed a 5th goal for either team would be the decisive winner. Westwood threatened and had a goal harshly ruled out for off-side, but when Evie was called off-side moments later the decision appeared to be evened out. With the clock running down, Daisy got hold a bouncing through ball, headed the ball passed the keeper and fired in what would surely be the winning shot. Izzy made sure as she thumped the ball over the line for her first goal for the team. Westwood still weren't done though and they grabbed a point through their star player right at the death. Although it took the shine off for Caversham they left with the point that at very least they deserved.