Caversham take big step up in opener at Wokingham & Emmbrook

Caversham took a big step up both in division and format in their BCGFL opener at Wokingham & Emmbrook. W&E finished the 2016/7 season strongly to secure the runners up spot in division 1 and must be fancied to take the title from Wargrave this season. Caversham travelled to Wokingham knowing the league computer had given them the toughest of opening fixtures as they prepared to play their first ever division 1 game in their first ever 11 a-side fixture on a full size adult pitch.
Caversham looked undaunted as they kicked off and some slick passing from Daisy and debutant Josie saw Caversham create the first chance of the game. Immediately W&E responded with pace and skill as the Caversham defence unlocked and Serena was left dwarfed in the huge goal. With the defence not fully organised a second quickly followed and suddenly promotion to Division 1 was looking like a very unwelcome award. However, Caversham composed themselves and Martha got down to the business of organising the defence with player of the match Anna along with Olivia and Niamh ensuring things were sorted out at the back.
Caversham then took on the midfield and with Grace and Josie starting to dominate and balls finding Izzy and Ruby out wide, Daisy and Evie started to trouble the W&E defence. Debutant Maud replaced Grace, debutant Leonnie replaced Niamh and Lianna replaced Evie. Caversham now looked the more likely to get a vital goal to get back into the game, but struggled with the final pass against a very disciplined W&E defence. The best chance came when Daisy finally created enough space to get her shot away, but it fizzed just outside the post with the keeper well beaten.
It was then harsh on Caversham, that despite a 20min period of sustained pressure, W&E broke to score their 3rd on half-time and when Caversham lost the ball from the re-take, the defence switched off to concede a 4th almost immediately. 4-0 at half-time was certainly not reflective of the overall game, but it meant Caversham would have to stay disciplined and committed in the second half to avoid a very heavy defeat.
Caversham proved they were up to the task and created a number of good chances, the best of which fell to Lianna who pulled her shot wide after running clear. Evie couldn't quite get the shots away and Grace pulled a shot just over the bar. A consolation goal would have been nothing less than Caversham deserved, but it just wouldn't arrive. However, with the defence holding firm against W&E breaks and Serena pulling off a couple of outstanding saves the second half, it looked like it would finish 0-0 with a creditable Caversham second half performance. However, it was not to be and in a repeat of the first half W&E bagged 2 more in the last 5 minutes proving once again that football at the top end of division 1 can be a ruthless business.
A 6-0 scoreline was harsh on Caversham in a game where there was plenty to be positive about, but also plenty to reflect and improve on.