(Image credit: Avie Doherty)
Saturday 15th February 2025 - Kick Off 10.30am
After a month with no games for the girls, we were back in action with a home game against a dangerous Acworth team.
The starting eleven saw Amelia Troughton in goal, a back four of Izzy Stobbs, Grace Denny, Abi Rushworth and Freya Welbourne. Central midfield of Lilly Perry (Capt), Jenny Crossley and on the wings Izzy Colbert and Ava Call. Upfront was Maja Kunis and Camilla Rishton-Hepworth.
The game started with Town on the front foot pressing Acworth back during the first 15 minutes. 4 corners were won during the opening period but unfortunately no goals came from these set pieces. However, the tone had been set and it seemed only a matter of time before Town scored a goal. However, in the 25thminute Acworth scored against the run of play. Further pressure was applied by the midfield along with some very good player to player marking by Grace, saw more corners won by Town but again no resulting goals. An injury to Camilla saw Amelia come out of goal to play upfront and Olivia making her way into goal for the remainder of the half. The half ended with the girls slightly shocked at how they were one nil down.
Camilla was now back on the pitch at the start of the second half with Ava dropping onto the bench. Within 5 minutes of the restart, Acworth had scored a quick second, leaving the girls an uphill task to turn the game around. However, this seemed to spur on the team as 2 quick goals were scored to bring the game back to all square within the space of 10 minutes. The first goal was scored by Maja after a lovely ball from Jenny. The equaliser involved the same two players this time Maja turning nicely on the edge of the box to deliver a ball back into the middle where a beautifully timed run by Jenny saw her rifle a first time shot into the back of the net from all of 25 yards out. Game On!!!
More pressure from Town saw a third goal scored midway through the half, this time scored by Amelia. A well taken goal indeed after some good build up play by the whole team. An enforced substitution meant Izzy Stobbs was replaced by Ava after an injury to her ankle. Izzy Colbert dropped into defence on the right to provide some additional cover at the back. It wasn’t long until a fourth goal was scored by Town when Maja again played a lovely ball into the box for Ava to volley home a first time shot. 4-2 and the girls had well and truly turned this around. Before there was chance to take stock a Lilly Perry corner was headed not the post by Maja with Camilla was on hand to side foot home the fifth.
A bit of uncertainty at the other end allowed Acworth to score a third with just over 15 minutes to play. The scoring wasn’t done there as Amelia drove into the box and played Maja in for a first time shot and goal. It was now 6-3 and the girls were almost home. In the last 5 minutes Acworth scored a fourth to make it 6-4, but the girls were able to see out the remaining minutes of the match.
Overall, a good victory, with all the girls from the back right up to the front putting in a good shift to maintain the winning run.
Player of the game: Amelia Troughton
Goal scorers: Maja x 2, Jenny, Amelia, Ava, Camilla
Written by Michael Richardson
