Oh those near misses

Our last Cup match saw us travel away to Surrey to play Berks County. This was the 1st time that Berks County had a full team available to play this season (just our luck) so we knew that it would be hard game. Caversham came out very strong straight from the start and overwhelmed a good Berks County team. All the early chances fell to Caversham with Lally breaking through their defence on 3 occasions only to see the ball go wide. Maud and Grace were solid in the mid field stopping any runs coming down the centre. Niamh soon worked out who their best attacking player was and stuck to her like a limpet to a rock. Great work down the right by Ruby saw her pass to Lucy who carried on down the wing crossing the ball into the box with Lally surrounded by 2 defenders and their goalie, but managed to poke the ball in, for a goal 1-0. More pressure kept coming from Caversham and it was only a matter of time before the 2nd goal came. A cross from the left found Lucy and from outside the box she slotted the ball into the goal. What's this !! The linesman flag was up - she had 2 players in front of her. The referee went and spoke to the linesman and or course the goal was given. Great strike by Lucy 2-0 to us at half time, which was well deserved.

10 minutes into the 2nd half Grace and Anna had to leave (great of them to come all that way). Izzy luckily having been ill this week stepped into defence. Lally was pulled back into midfield and Leonie was moved up front as we were now down to 11 players. Pressure now started to come from Berks County and chances started to fall their way. A shot from outside the box caught Serena off sighted and it went into the far corner 2-1. This goal lifted Berks County and our girls defended brilliantly.

Chances were now falling for both teams with some good goalkeeping from Serena. Another ball through to Lucy saw her brought down for a free kick. From outside the box she struck a shot that hit the crossbar with the ball falling to Leonie, but somehow the ball caught under her feet and it went wide. Another through ball from Ruby saw Lucy race through and beat the defender so one on one with the goalie who bravely came out to make the save.

So the final 10mins was end to end, but good defencive work from the midfielders and defenders kept Berks County at bay.

Final whistle saw a deserved win for our team and another excellent team performance. Well done everyone.

!!!! Tell that coach in the red jacket to stop shouting. !!!! (I'll be quiet next week)