Talking points:
- attacking short corners!!!!
- marking goal side (# BJ, thanks for making this one obvious)
Date: 21 April
Venue: Mutual
Venue: Mutual
Time: 15:00
Opponent: Milnerton A
Opponent: Milnerton A
After last weeks great
result, the Ladies were looking forward to game 2. This
week Milnerton came to visit, coming off a good result from
their first game by winning 6 - 1. We all knew that this game would
be a far better contest than last weeks schooling of Belhar...
A couple changes to last
weeks side were obvious. Two Ladies had prior engagements (#wth
Slacker, Jambo...) but with that came two new arrivals. The 2nd
side had a few too many this week, so we had Scrat ('Katherine
Nieuwstadt') returning and PG ('Nicky Judd') being being released on a free
transfer. They were both welcomed with open arms because anyone coming from the
2nd side was sure to make our team stronger (# thank you very much 2's).
So all the Ladies were promptly on
time as discussed. I was umpiring the Ladies 2's game which was played before
our clash with Milnerton. We looked good in the warm up except for one issue
that was eating me alive while I was umpiring on the far side of the
turf....the Ladies were warming up by hitting and stopping on the grass/Oude
Molen cabbage patch/Grand Canyon....just before we were about to play on the
astro...WTH!!!!! Note, never will you ever EVER EVER do that again if we are
about to play on the astro. The Milnerton side were a mixed bunch of youngens
and old timers, and we expected an up and down sort of game.
Vis decided to lend his vintage
umpiring kills to the toughest league for any ref, many thanks for keeping things
under control.
The game started with Mutual making
there way up the field with the ball being thrown around with some decent
passing. We managed to penetrate the D a couple times and the shots were on
target (unlike last week) but still lacked a bit venom which made it easier for
the keeper save. One issue was realised quite early in the game, and only got
worse as the game progressed. The heat was not helping the links and tired legs
meant that Milnerton had a few counters with the numbers stacked in their
favour.
Goal one came after some scrappy
play in the Milnerton 25, we camped there a bit and a few long corners were
taken. Nina made use of the quick free hits on the 5 yard line and made some
decent runs into the D. The ball popped out square to Scrat who was on hand to
blast a low shot past the keeper (# thank you very much 2's). Mutual 1 - 0
Milnerton.
We had a around 4 short corners in
the first half, with only one shot being on target. It seemed as though the
vortex/black hole was in effect again as 3 shots went passed the left hand post
again again again, a repeat of last week. One hit Monster on the glove and I
was told "it was a variation"....ja right! Guess what we will be
working on at Tuesday practice???
Milnerton made use of one of their
counter attacks and found themselves with a 3 on 1 situation. Eliminating our
half, it was a 2 players with only Tiny ('Kayley Mac-Tavish') to
beat. Tiny did her best to step and try cut the angle but she stood no chance
with Milnerton flipping the ball to the far post for a tap in. Mutual 1 - 1
Milnerton and half time.
At half time we spoke about not
letting them counter attack which meant some heavy running from the links. We
also mentioned that short corner shots needed to be on target!!!!
There were also a few self nominated
players who were all too keen to start the second half on the bench!!!
We dominated the second half a bit
more than that of the first. Counter attacks were few and far in
between but we managed to break down their attacks pretty quickly.
Goal two came from another few
minutes spent inside the Milnerton 25. The possession changed hands a few times
but the ball ultimately ended up on the top D with PG lurking. Arguably one of
last seasons highest goal scorers in the club, this one was meat and
drink for PG. A clean and crisp hit ensured the ball was going only
one place...passed the keeper (# and again, thank you very much 2's). Mutual 2
- 1 Milnerton.
The second part of the 2nd half was
pretty tense. Milnerton did not want to lose this game and pushed forward. But
the back tracking from the links made life difficult for Milnerton. They did
have one promising counter, but fantastic work by Tiny when she rushed an
attacker and went down to close the shot, made sure we held on a bit longer.
One odd moment was a bit worrying. Monster, our center half, lost a shoe in the
middle of the field during a Milnerton attack. She had to run off to the
sideline and try put her shoe on as soon as possible and get back onto the field.
The bench watched in panic as it seemed as though Monster had about 7 sets of
laces...or maybe she reverted back to singing a little rhyme to try help her
remember how to tie laces!!!! It didn't help that we have no idea how to stall
a game...She made it back onto the field with no damage being done.
Final Score: Mutual 3's 2
- 1 Milnerton
It was a great game for the neutrals....but who the eff are they! We always wanted to win this one.
A great result for the team. Our
half's did well in the back with special mention to Pot ('Shandre le Breton')
having a great defensive game. I don't remember one player getting past her.
And I am sure there wasn't one Milnerton short corner (facts to be
verified...). Thanks to the links for the running they put in during the heat
of mid-day. The frustrating aspect is that it feels as though we haven't quite
hit our full potential yet. It is still early in the season and I believe that
once we hit our groove, we are going to do very well in games that should
otherwise be tough for us. Still, who can complain with 2 wins from 2...
We have a week break, followed by a
double header which promises be awesome. Oh, not sure if I said this but, thank
you very much 2's!
Custard King (Ultra-mel)
Coach Piles
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