Match reports from Saturday 24th September 2016
Posted by Matt Gausden-Walker on 26 September 2016
Ladies 1st XI 0-5 Harleston Magpies
Saints Ladies 1s played their first away game to Harleston Magpies. After an exciting two hour drive out to Suffolk Saints prepared themselves to take on a competent and experienced Magpies team.
With a couple of players out this week there would be new pressures to absorb on the pitch. Saints took a while to get started after the long drive and the expected intensity was lacking in places. Waves of attack from Magpies put saints defence under pressure from the start but Goalie Alex made some good saves and coordinated well with the backs to keep the sheet clean early on. By half time the fantastic resilience from the back line and spectacular saves from Alex meant it was only 2-0.
It was a game of two halves and the final result flattered the opposition, although the high quality striking from one of their forwards was excellent.
After a necessary half time team talk/slap in the face Saints went back out to fight for the ball and protect the possession. They closed down the opposition, put pressure on the passes and it paid off with far more turn over.
With this increased intensity came increased opportunities. Emma Cooper carried the ball well and won a short corner. A good strike in was well placed and narrowly missed the intended deflection after clipping a stick. Dani Hagan won the ball from some well placed pressure and carried the ball into the D. A fantastic strike sent the ball smashing into the left hand post and deflected back on to the pitch, which Millie Denton chased well to set up another chance. Despite a much improved second half from Saints the Magpies made some strong breaks with their full bench of fresh and fast legs. They took the chances that opened up for them and the score line increased.
Despite the score line there were many positives to take from the game, including the continued effort to build attacking opportunities made right to the end of play and the defensive unit keeping a clean sheet from short corners. Saints flirted with the post but the goals eluded the team today. Plenty to work on after today's performance but good phases of play that show promise.
