Date: 19/09/2004
Fixture: BAWFC V Falcons
Result: 6-2
Author: Harriet Hughes

Having made a joke last Friday at 5 a side that I would be turning up for Sunday’s game at 1.16pm (for those of you who read Petra’s emails, you’ll know what I’m harping on about), I was in fact late and although protested a dodgy london tube journey was duly fined £2. That’ll teach me. With Heidi stuck in Jersey for most of the first half, and Catherine on route, the new line up put Char up front with Tania in what proved to be a stroke of genius by The Coach.

We needed to start strongly after last weeks defeat, and we did. Midfield passing well, using the wings, slotting balls through to the centre forwards. After a few dodgy offside calls, a well placed ball through saw Char score her first goal with ease. We had started well.

Tania partnering up front for the first half, played the best I’ve seen her play – taking the ball around players, creating chances and looking more comfortable in the role (I think volleyball is fast becoming her second choice sport!!).

I had about 3 shots on target but I may as well have handed the goalkeeper the ball each time for all the hassle they caused her!! However, more passing, silky skills from the wingers, Laura and Nav, saw Char score her second goal of the match – this was looking easy. Defence were keeping possession, passing the ball, Danni taking great free kicks, Petra, Jo and Preeti keeping the opposition at bay with solid defending and great headers (especially Petra). You could sense frustration creeping in from The Falcons. Jo producing good defence and throw ins to me and Laura – Laura creating good chances and producing a typically solid and inspired performance yet again (you need to get your shifts sorted so you can make more Sundays!!).

Towards the end of the first half saw Katie come out and make a great save with her legs only to see it rebound out to an unmarked opposition player who did a “Line” and hoofed it back into an open net (well, both Line’s weren’t into an open net but the hoofing bit was correct!!). End of the first half saw us 2-1 up and very unlucky not to be more ahead.

After a 2nd half team talk from Amrik that we could get plenty more goals, a welcome sight of BA supporters Deby and Angela to keep Steve company on the touch line we were raring to go again. With the arrival of Heidi straight from the airport who took her position up front with Char, Tania was subbed off to much applause for a great performance.

Heidi immediately had an impact on the game taking on players and swerving in and out and with a good link up play, gifted me with the ball and for once it went past the keeper and into the back of the net. 3-1 BA. Laura subbed off and Catherine came to take her place and, debuting in midfield, kept hold of the ball well, created a few problems for the opposition and seemed to have everything under control, once she’d remembered her surname to give to Ray!!!

We carried on as before - never letting up on the pressure and pushing forward - Stacey making a great run, Nav linking up brilliantly with Char to produce chance after chance and saw Char get her hat trick with a great placing of the ball. Heidi was still creating problems for Falcons’ defence and again we linked up well and she slotted in a goal herself, getting us back to 5-1. A small amount of confusion resulted in The Falcons being gifted with their second and final goal of the match as it trickled over the line in what felt like slow motion. 5 – 2.

Danni excelled herself at right back making superb throw ins that found Nav and Char time and time again, and as if a hat trick wasn’t’ enough, a fourth goal was scored by Char bringing the final score to 6 – 2 to us. Petra made a superb save and stopped a goal going into our goal by kicking it out before it crossed the line. The Falcons were having to do some good defending and I think that if were not for their goalkeeper, we would have scored much more.

Overall an inspired performance from what must be one of our strongest line ups to date. Our improvement as a team since we played The Falcons last season is immense – let’s keep it up. We also have great team spirit and we never give up – hopefully this will see us through the rest of the season and we can realistically aim for a top half table placing.

Thanks also go to Luke and Dan for their support, and also the cutest little puppy dog I’ve ever seen who even though belonged to The Falcons, deserves a mention here.