Date: 25/09/11
Fixture: League
Game: Claygate Royals 0 v BAWFC 7
Players' POTM: Liz Foster and Nav Johal
Manager's POTM: Liz Foster
Author: Rebecca Poulton
Line Up: Natasha Bajwa (GK), Amy Jackson (C), Preeti Johal, Nicole Cho-Yee, Emma Longman, Jayshree Badhan, Nav Johal (1), Liz Foster (3), Lucy Gibson, Rebecca Poulton (2), Kim Terry (1)
Subs: Petra Lausen (Jackson 70), Lisa Linsley (Terry 65), Elsa Huertas Barros (Badhan 65)
This was an extremely comprehensive victory over an albeit limited opposition with the highest number of goals scored in a match so far and as importantly another clean sheet. A real team effort ensures that BA after 3 matches remain unbeaten and at the summit of the table. Although it was a straight forward victory, it must be remembered that you can only play who is in front of you!
With the sun shining, the grass actually cut under our feet and Kim's little dog tied to a tree providing great entertainment, meant that we went into the warm up very relaxed and calm. The only real concern in the warm up was the little dog choking itself as it attempted to get to every ball that came within a 20 metre radius of it. This relaxed environment perhaps led to Preeti coming out with comment of the season, which I do not need to repeat here!
The team had only one change from last week, Kim coming in for the Croydon-bashed Gilly and normal service resumed pretty quickly with Nav feeding Liz who in a one on one situation calmly slotted the ball past the goal keeper at the near post to open the account for what turned out to be a very productive match for her - 1 nil BA. Nav spurned on by the fact she is determined to beat Becks in the midfield goal scoring stakes (!) was looking ever dangerous, very lively and playing some good passes. Likewise, Lucy was proving a menace on the right wing and was in acres of space all of the time which she utilised well.
The very good back five were even joining in the attack as all made their way past the half way line on numerous occasions with the Skipper Amy linking up well with Jaysh on the left and Emma 'Motormouth' (as if we could not hear from her own half) was now advancing up the pitch linking with Lucy on the right. Preeti didn't really have much to do at this stage so was observing the excitement in front of her and thinking about other comments she could entertain us with, whilst Tash was making tea. Nicole turned creative and sent a good ball through, leaving their defence no chance and again, Liz firmly sending the ball past their hapless goalkeeper - 2 nil BA.
Despite scoring two goals, we didn't create as many chances as last week and is something that needs to be improved upon as we embark on the period where we will start to play the better teams of the division. However, we did go into half time 3 goals up after another excellent corner from Nicole caused havoc in the six yard box and Nav was on hand to blast in... from a few inches out. As Jaysh quite rightly said, an inch does make the difference. Fair play to Nav though for being on her toes and alert to the situation, still 2 - 1 to Becks in the goal scoring stakes at this stage though.
A little re-shuffle saw Nicole put into Centre Mid with Nav going out onto the right, Lucy switching wings to torment the other full back and Jaysh dropping into left back with Amy moving into the centre. This did however mean that we had Motormouth and Moanymouth on one side of the pitch, as Preeti succinctly put it. No wonder they had so much space on that side...
Half time came and went, don't really remember it - had a sandwich I think and patted the dog and then out for the second half.
Our domination continued and there was absolutely no way Claygate (what a name) where going to get back into the match. Every goal kick was headed back or possession turned over to us which provided sufficient ball to the strikers and wingers to create more chances then in the first half. Kim who had another good match was looking likely to score. Nav was afforded a lot of space on the right and was sending some great balls in, one of which should have definitely been converted. However, shortly another goal came along, Nav providing another excellent pass to the strikers, this time to Kim who got in front of her defender intelligently and produced an accurate finish to take her tally to two in three matches.
At some point some changes were made, with Petra, Elsa and Lisa coming on and credit to all of them, it was a completely seamless transition. A great reflection on the quality of the squad at BA!
Continued waves of attack saw the ball scrambling around in the box, Nav got completely shoulder bashed by the goalkeeper and a penalty was awarded. The pens taker on the day was Becks who somehow calmly despatched the ball to the keepers left, 5 nil BA equalling our goal tally from the previous week!
Liz was continuing to cause problems for the opposition defence and she linked up excellently with Lucy, playing a one two down the left channel, bisecting the defence and presenting another one on one with the keeper, this was only going to end up one way - goal to Liz, hat trick to Liz, 6 nil BA.
Liz then went extremely close from a free kick off her left foot with an excellent strike that the keeper managed to keep out.
Not long after, Liz made another excellent run into the box and as throughout the whole match, the defence just couldn't handle her so promptly she was tripped and sent flying (akin to the Chris Ashton swan dive after scoring a try - only joking Liz!) In a little dream world still shocked from the first penalty, Becks stepped up and sent the ball the other way this time making it 7 nil BA.
With 80 minutes on the clock, Tiger was moved upfront with Preeti taking the gloves with a clear instruction not to let any goals in an objective she achieved easily and also contributed with a few nice passes out from the back.
Tiger Tash was looking good upfront and was set to continue her goal scoring feat from the previous day, however very unselfishly when through on goal played the ball to Becks who really should have scored - sorry Tash!
Overall an excellent result, contributing positively to the goal difference that really could make a difference at the end of the season. Performance wise, there can still be improvements however great confidence should be taken from the first three matches. Finally a home match and a 2pm kick off this Sunday, bring it on!
