Saturday 25th January 2025 (10.30am Kick off)
A chilly start met the girls this weekend, with a light covering of frost and a temperature only a couple of degrees above freezing met us on arrival at the pitches. High up above Halifax the conditions were going to be challenging with a light snow shower hitting the girls during their warmup.
This certainly made things interesting especially the goalkeepers warm up. The pitch was playable even though it was heavy under foot and slopping from right to left.
The game started on time and the girls were into their passing rhythm quickly who would be playing the first 45 minutes uphill. There was difficulty moving it centrally, so the ball was pushed out to the wingers of Ava and Issy as much as possible during the early exchanges.
Their pace causing issues for their defence early on as a couple of attacks didn’t result in a goal but provided a warning to Greetland that the girls were certainly up for this match. Greetland then had a couple of chances at the other end using the momentum of the downhill advantage and a quick left winger in their ranks.
However, these weren’t converted into goals by both good defending from Poppy and Stobbys at the back combined with Amelia’s good timing to come out to collect the goal. Within a couple of minutes Town scored their first goal when the ball fell to Jenny just outside the box who hit a lovely first timed shot into the goal, leaving their keeper rooted to the spot, 1-0 to Town.
Over the next 15 minutes more attacks occurred as Lilly P and Jenny continued to dominate the centre of the pitch and continued to use the width of the pitch to stretch Greetland. Camilla continued to be a threat with her pace pushing their defence back and allowing Grace to fill the slightly more advanced role she usually plays but did this with great endeavor and almost scored herself during this period of domination.
A jinking run by Jenny down the inside left flank saw her cut inside and she was subsequently upended by a defender giving Town a penalty. Lilly P stepped up to take this and subsequently converting with a very calm strike to make it 2-0 to Town.
A couple of substitutions mid-way through the game saw some more excellent play on the challenging pitch, one of note being a lovely cross by Bella from out wide across the six-yard box to Issy who couldn’t quite keep the first time shot on target and it hit the outside of the post rolling agonisingly wide.
Towards the end of the half Greetland had three good attacks as tired legs and the team dropping a little deep at times, allowed the opposition to shoot at our goal. These attacks came to nothing with the continued tough tackling from Abby and Freya on the left side of defence for two of the attacks.
The second half kicked off in sunshine, but still under chilly conditions however the wind had dropped significantly which gave the girls a better chance of playing some of their lovely brand of passing football. Olivia came into goal for this half and Amelia playing up front, with Lilly P soon back on the pitch after her substitution in the first half after a worrying twist to the ankle.
With the advantage of the pitch slope Town scored early in the half by Amelia with a cultured finish to make it 3-0. Any worries that Greeland would get back into the game were gone and it was really down to how many would we score this half. With Bella moved into the centre of defence, it allowed Cecily to play on the left wing and she certainly enjoyed the freedom the game provided with a number of mazy runs with the ball.
One of those runs resulting in a free kick about 30 yards out. The shout from the coaches was to get ball on target and make the goalkeeper work, which is exactly what was delivered with the ball ending up in the back of the net, 4-0 to Town.
Town were now four up and there were still about 25 minutes to play. During the next 25 minutes, the girls only managed to score one more goal, but that doesn’t tell the whole story.
What can only be described as some unlucky bounces and a slippy 18-yard box along with some good goalkeeping, prevented at least another five goals being scored. With better luck and fortune Amelia would have scored at least another three goals.
Ava was brought on to the middle of the park to give us some fresher legs as the pitch was starting to get really boggy in places which was energy sapping. Camilla continued to drive the team forward and stretch the defence which allowed the midfield and her striking partners to have a number of chances to score.
Olivia didn’t have a great deal to do but when called up on made a crucial catch from a Greetland corner and also dominated her box when needed to keep the clean sheet. The defence didn’t have too much to do in the second half but were always switched and made important tackles when required.
The game ended 5-0 to Town, but it could have been a lot more. A sold performance and another clean sheet. On to the next game this time at home and hopefully three more points.
Words from the Captain, Abbie:
‘A horrible pitch made it difficult to control the game early on. with a couple of missed passes, but then as we adapted to the conditions, we took charge and played some very good football again. Special shoutout to Jenny who controlled the midfield very well and another clean sheet for the team’.
Goal scorers: Jenny, Lilly P (2), Amelia (2).
Match Report: Michael Richardson