Date: 24/09/2006
Game: BAWFC Reserves v Enfield 3rds
Author: Petra Lausen
Player of the match: TBA

What a gutsy performance by the BA reserves!!

On a lovely Sunday afternoon, all our plans for the starting line-up against a 9-women strong Enfield went out the window when Hibo got ill and Kim’s knee was still playing up before she even kicked a ball - I’m telling you volleyball is a dangerous sport ;-).

So, we started with an "8-of-us let’s-have-fun-formation", which admittedly didn’t stop the opposition from scoring, but meant that we all got a good run-around (and throw-about in Julia’s case, who was diving right, left, and centre, but then as a goalie, she is allowed ;-).

Anyway, we were then unfortunate to lose Anita, who had to come off due to a groin strain. Somehow, while I was on the sideline nursing my nosebleed and we were 3 players down, we conceded another goal.

Still, at half-time we were only 4 nil down, quite a feat considering that at the same time last week the game had gone into double figures.

Some half-time oranges (thanks Lyn!) and another goal later, I suddenly found myself in the opposition’s box - my surprise at being there led to me completely fluffing it when Aoife played in a perfect pass. Ooops!

Meanwhile Lee, following her adventure up front in the Acton match, got another chance to play forward and put the Enfield defenders under pressure several times. At one point, thanks to some good team work and a great run by Aoife, we actually won a corner, which we went on to celebrate like a goal!!

On the other side of the pitch, we then let them score from one of their corners and conceded a penalty, but everyone was working so hard that we made it difficult for them to break us down.

Once again Julia made some outstanding saves, and Jo was covering everyone and everywhere getting the all-important tackles in. She was supported by Jenny, who was chasing and frustrating their strikers and midfielders with her determination (and her run down the line with the ball, of course!).

Ditto Bin, who just kept on running, defending as well as playing forward. At the same time, Aoife, who - on her debut on playing on a full-size pitch - got stronger and stronger as the game went on (even though her legs may have felt differently). And when Lee wasn’t doing throw-ins or tackling, she was successfully pushing into the opposition’s half.

So, it was thanks to everyone’s fantastic efforts and positive attitude that we continued to improve with every half played

I hope you all enjoyed it - I did!

A special thank you to Bob for all his encouragement and helping us with the warm-up (and down - Karen, are you reading this?) and to Darren and Lyn for some extra support on the sideline!