Date: 21/09/2008
Game: BAWFC Reserves vs Hampstead Rock
Authors: Karen
Players of the match: TBC


Line up:
Geejse - Goalie Jo – LB
Lee – RB
Carina – CB
Nadia – CB
Karen – CM
Petra – CM
Nancy – RM
Jayshree – LM
Kim – CF
Julia – CF
Subs:
Amy
Natasha
Sudaff
Silmara
Svit

What a beautiful day – in more ways than one! The sun shone, the girls were in high spirits and there was a faint murmur of victory in the air!

So it all started in the dressing room with introduction to the new player (Amy, who had just travelled back from her weekend away) and some fighting talk from Jay (which for once didn’t fall on deaf ears!). The first team loss was a blow, but we wanted to bring home at least one BAWFC win this weekend – and so we went out to warm up on a bit of a high.

Matt led a good warm-up that the whole team took part in and those stretches certainly helped my knackered old muscles from seizing up after 5 minutes play! Lee was reinstated as Captain for the season – well done girl, it's great to have you back in your rightful place.

So, the mood at kick-off was positive after a good team talk from Matt. He gave us a few challenges to get us focused, although I have to admit to forgetting them all straight after being told them! Retaining important information has never been my strong point! Nerves were a little frayed, but we were all eager to get going and so when the whistle blew we were straight in there.

We were clearly nervous as the ball was in the air for the first 5 minutes, but once we started to settle into the match we managed to keep it down. But it wasn’t long before the feisty opposition got hold of the ball and raced through our back four to sink their first goal into the back of the net. A 0-1 start was not what we were looking for but heads remained high and we were straight back at it and managed to get possession and as far as the six yard box, but alas no finishes in sight just yet! Then a good call from Jay led to a good run down the wing and a cross into Kim was the best chance we’d had so far. Kim had a shot on goal but their keeper held their nerve and was quick to get it back out.

On the rebound the opposition managed to secure the ball and again did a great run towards goal, although the player appeared off-side, the whistle wasn’t blown and low and behold they get their second goal – gutted!

A third followed, and spirits were now starting to fade, but gutsy determination from all players, especially Petra and Jay, led to yet more great chances, but that goal was not in sight. Just before the end of the first half it was clear there were a lot of people (me especially) who were willing that bloody clock to move faster. I have never been so knackered! However, just before the half-time whistle the opposition gave away a free-kick on goal which Petra took. Oh it so looked like it was going to go in – so near and yet so far!

Half time was spent lying in the shade trying to breathe (well it was for me anyhow!) The oranges were welcome refreshment (thanks Petra) but nothing was going to help my jelly legs from recovering! However, Matt was happy with everyone’s performance so we started back in the same positions. It was the right decision as 5 minutes into the second half, after one of our corners, Julia ceased upon a gap in the opposition's defence and went for a magical goal which gave us our first goal of the season – boy were we ecstatic!

This was enough to get us going again and Jay and Nancy continued to make chances down the wings and some great crosses gave Kim a few more chances. The back four were fighting back the whole time and even though the opposition were getting possession there wasn’t much chance of them getting through. Nadia was going in for the kill, Carina – despite being kicked in the first half - was not letting anyone past her, Lee’s relentless chasing and Jo’s nerve when under pressure all helped us maintain that 1-3 score line for some time.

It was time to come off for me – at least my dignity remained intact and I didn’t have to crawl off the pitch! I was so grateful for Amy coming on, and her fresh legs and good calls led to some more great football from BAWFC. It wasn’t long before there was another corner (we had a few this match – so Matt was happy as this was one of his great long list of challenges!) Amy was not giving in and it was this gutsy determination (and Petra’s instruction to ‘go for it’) that led to her kicking a great ball into the goalie’s hands which she fortunately dropped behind her head – and right into goal! Brilliant work guys!

Legs were tired, lungs were stretched to full capacity and yet we continued to put in so much effort. Jay and Nancy came off half way through the second half having done themselves and the team proud. Natasha and Su were fresh and ready for action. It was such a shame when an unintentional pass by the ‘Rocks’ led to a chance being opened up and their CF ran straight through our defence and played one on one with Geesje. It was never going to be easy – and sure enough their 4th goal was secured! Arse!

This was not the end though and it was so good to see the team fight back. We all played well, as Matt confirmed in the end of match talk. He also said at that we rose to all the challenges he gave us and we managed to meet all the attacking challenges on his list. There were some really positive play from all players today and it's just great to play a game when you are not being beaten 21-0. It was also brilliant to have such a vocal side line – Matt your calls helped us all, as did the great encouragement from the newly assembled BAWFC supporter's club and first team players – thanks girls.

As always, there will be things to improve on, so see you training Wed girls! Bring it on…