Date: 12/09/2004
Fixture: Lusitanos V British Airways WFC
Result: 4-2
Author: Jo Santa-Maria

After an epic journey to Norbury to the Lusitanos’ home ground, we spent the first 5 minutes of the game on the attack. Well, actually, taking about 6 corners, which we didn’t manage to capitalise on. The Lusitanos came back strongly and we were lucky to avoid going 1-0 down when a goal by the opposition was disallowed due to an offside decision by the ref - one of his better ones as he seemed to be watching a different game most of the time!

Harriet responded with a solo effort from the halfway line, weaving her way through half their team to put us ahead. Unfortunately, this didn’t last too long and the Lusitanos’ speedy (I only say that ‘coz I was marking her ;-)) number 10 outran our defence and scored the equaliser. Preeti and Belinda played really well in central defence and managed to stop the opposition scoring from the many attacks they were making, until an unlucky handball in the box gave them a penalty. Kirsty, who had a storming game in goal, managed to save this but unfortunately the opposition were a bit better at following up the deflection than our defence, and so we ended up 2-1 down at halftime.

We were against the wind in the 2nd half and despite valiant efforts by Deby, Nav, Petra and Harriet in midfield, the ball kept coming back over the top for the very fast Lusitanos forwards to pick up. Pauline came on to replace Suzie in defence and was a welcome fresh pair of legs in central defence, with Preeti moving to left back where she made some lovely attacking runs down the wing. Jane continued her hard work up front, partnered by Raj, and was unlucky not to get a goal after all her efforts. We defended well, but conceded another goal off a corner (it went in near the post where I should have been standing – sorry, my fault!). We fought back well to gain a free kick just outside their box. Harriet was very unlucky to score off this as she put in a lovely curling kick which clipped the post.

The lack of subs and the pace of the Lusitano players was beginning to tell as the they brought on 3 new players, and unfortunately, they soon scored again off a cross, which was put away very neatly to put them 4-1 up. Once again Harriet’s magic feet came into play as she collected Deby's superb pass, and her shot on goal went into the top right-hand corner to bring the score to 4-2.

Although this was a disappointing result, we were missing a few of the ‘usuals’ and we had a lot of players playing out of position, so all in all not too bad. Thanks to Kirsty for some excellent saves and a great effort in goal. Also, thanks to Pat for all her sideline assistance – at least we had one supporter to match the home crowd (I’ve never seen so many supporters at a women’s football match before). We’ll get them the next time!

Stacey, get well soon as we missed you!!!