Date: 13/01/2008
Game: BAWFC Reserves vs. Kent Magpies Reserves
Author: Carolyn
Player of the match: TBC
Roger decided to try out a new formation:-
Loren – GK (Jo)
Defence (L to R) – Jo (Loren), Bel, Lee, Lilian (Carolyn)
Midfield – Petra, Ailsa (holding) Nadia (holding), Lucy, Jay (Jenny)
Attack – Cherelle (Karen)
Supporters: Roger (coach & linesman), Darren, Julia, Kirsty, Jacinta, Lilian’s Mum, Liam (our no.1 supporter) and later joined by Gary, Peter and Robert (although P & R played football on the sidelines rather than actually supporting their old Mum!)
The main feature of the weather which affected the match was the strong chilly wind, which was in our favour in the first half and against us in the second.
The match got off to a good start, with both sides appearing equally matched (much to the Magpies coach’s disgust!). The play was pretty end to end stuff with chances at both ends. Typically, these chances resulted in a fluke goal for the Magpies after about 5 minutes, but no corresponding goal for BA. Another 5 minutes of equal possession by both teams culminated in a scuffle in front of the BA goal and the ball in the back of the net. Another goal to Kent Magpies. Not a fair reflection of the first ten minutes of the match! It felt like we had been there before.
The exciting end to end football continued, with neither team dominating. Lucy had a storming run up the pitch only to have the ball taken from her feet by the opposition keeper before she could get her shot in. The wingers Jay and Petra were pushing up nicely and it seemed only a matter of time (Ms Lausen played an absolute blinder on the LEFT wing). Then Lucy was on the run again towards goal with the ball, only to be thwarted by the Magpies goalie diving at her feet again. Got to hand it to their keeper, she did work hard during the first half.
There were a similar number of offsides called and corners taken at both ends. With some good defensive, as well as attacking play. The holding midfields of Ailsa and Nadia were working well. Loren did a great save at the feet of an opposition player and then Cherelle broke immediately on the counter attack, but could just not get the ball in the back of the net. Lee almost headed the ball into our own goal and then made up for it by blocking a shot straight away. Bel, Jo and Lilian (and of course Loren) were also doing a great job of keeping the ball out of the BA net. As a result the half time whistle blew with the score standing at 2-0 to the Magpies.
The team was in good spirits at half-time, but we knew the second half would be tough against the wind – and so it proved to be. Jo took over the goalie gloves and played brilliantly in goal, she’s definitely been having secret coaching! (By the way Jo and Loren you can blame your stints in goal on Julia’s CD player. She injured her knee on New Years Day bending to change a CD!!)
Jenny came on after half-time for Jay and almost scored in the first few minutes. Then Lee really did score as she deflected and tried to clear a shot, unfortunately it went in at the wrong end. Soon after Ailsa went down injured and never really recovered. She came off later and with a reshuffle Karen went on in attack. Carolyn came on for Lilian at right back.
Got to hand it to them, the fourth Magpies goal was their best of the match, when they capitalised on a gap in the defense to drive the ball home.
It was proving much harder to get forward and put a convincing attack together in the second half battling against the wind with tiring legs and lungs. The Magpies continued to press forward. On the occasions that they got through the defense, they had several shots off target and several on target, all ably saved by Jo or blocked by the defenders. They won several corners which were all cleared by the BA defense. The final whistle blew with the score line at 4-nil to the Magpies – not bad against the team that beat BA Reserves 20-nil in their first match last season!
The general consensus was that we had played well as a team and we retired to the bar in a good mood.
