Date: 16/10/11
Fixture: Middlesex Junior Cup
Game: Colne Valley Ladies 2 v BAWFC 1
Players' POTM: Nicole Cho-Yee
Manager's POTM: Nicole Cho-Yee
Author: Preeti Johal
Line Up: Natasha Bajwa (GK), Amy Jackson (C), Preeti Johal, Nicole Cho-Yee, Charlotte Wilkinson, Elsa Huertas Barros, Nav Johal, Lisa Linsley, Liz Foster, Rebecca Poulton (1), Gilly Thomson
Subs: Emma Longman (Huertas Barros 55), Kim Terry (Linsley 55), Petra Lausen (Wilkinson 70)
BAWFC arrived at Colne Valley ready for the challenge of the Middlesex Junior Cup. Both teams were up for a battle having been drawn a competitive tie for the first round with both BA and Valley favourites to progress deep into the final rounds of the competition. Coming into the tie neither Valley nor BA had not dropped a point in their respective leagues meaning that both teams had a thirst for victory.
With BA Manager Glenn running late it was BA Captain Amy who led the team through the warm up which followed a similar pattern to previous weeks. Amy ran through Glenn's starting line up which included a few changes from the beginning of the season with starts for Charlotte, Elsa and Lisa. The back four saw a slight change from normal with versatile Nav stepping into right back for Emma who was carrying a knock.
The whistle blew for the start of the game and BA found it hard to find their normal rhythm of quick, passing football. In fact Valley restricted BA to limited touches and many unforced errors. This led to pressure that the back four were not used to this season and hoofing of balls rather than the normal passing out that the midfield had become custom to receiving. Valley got the first goal of the match after about 25 minutes after undisciplined marking in a throw in and poor decision making at the back. A knock back from the Valley striker and a shot from outside of the box from the midfielder gave the home team the advantage. Valley got their second goal 10 minutes later with the same striker receiving a through ball and poor judgement led to BA hitting the ball into the back of their own net rather than clearing the ball effectively. Valley were denied any further goals in the first half with BA making some well timed last ditch tackles in the box. Although BA did not have more than 40% possession of the ball in the first half they did go through on goal twice with just the Valley keeper to beat, most notably just before half time. Both times the keeper saved with her legs with BA not being to capitalise with the rebounds.
Half time saw wise words from both sets of camps and both teams keen to get the second half started.
The second half saw a total contrast from the first with Valley now having about 40% of the ball and BA attacking on full force. Both teams made important formation changes with BA on occasions moving to an attacking 3-5-2 and Valley going with an extra CB. BA created many chances this half and limited Valley to limited shots on the BA goal. BA strikers had many opportunities to get a goal back early in the second half but the Valley keeper was on form by coming off her line well and BA maybe a bit lacking of fire power. With 20 minutes to go BA did get the goal they were searching for with a great run and shot by the right winger. This time the Valley keeper had no chance. With no time for celebrating BA pushed on for the equaliser and were guilty of not taking their chances. Valley did have a great chance to make it 3-1 mid way through the second half but shot poorly and did not test the BA keeper when it seemed harder to miss the target. With 10 minutes to go BA had the perfect chance to equalise when their leading goal scorer was denied a clear goal scoring opportunity by a clumsily foul in the box. It seemed a certain red card but it the referee may have been led to show the yellow by the Valley assistant referee who unsportingly walked into the pitch to speak to the referee. The BA striker dusted herself off and stepped up to blast the ball at the cross bar. This was heartbreak for BA and a big sigh of relief for Valley.
The game ended 2-1 to the home side who now face Acton Reserves in the second round.
An important lesson of a game of two halves for both teams who will need to tighten their belts if they wish to continue their unbeaten run in there leagues.
