Tough Love

Northampton ladies 5’s in defeat against Towcester

I think it’s best we don’t talk about the first half  I don’t think the girls would mind me saying that we were lacklustre, slow, and too quiet.

BUT after a bit of tough love at half time (sorry girls ) we came back much stronger! Better communication on the pitch, we were creating space for each other and we hustled hard as the opposition continued to attack.

Our man of the match for a second week running was Hester ️

And our “wally of the week” with unanimous votes was me with my not so gracious fall as I pretended to be a defender for 5 minutes 

All in all a strong second half where we equalled the opposition in attitude, effort, and ability 

Well done girls. Another week of getting better!

M3s struggled at home today losing to a vibrant Ashby 2s, who brought a team of experience and youth akin to Man Utd of the late 90s!

Saints dominated the first 15 minutes of the game but a sloppy goal was conceded following a collision in the defense which really put the Saints on the back foot. Ashby capitalised again just before half time after another loss of possession by Saints. Things didn’t get much better in the second half and whilst the pressure was absorbed from the youthful exuberance of the Ashby forward line, another goal was knocked midway through the half to make it 3-0. A late fight back with a goal from Alex Jeffrey put a glimmer of hope into the eye for the last 10mins but it finished 3-1. We go again, onwards and upwards for next week.

M2s faced a tough assignment this week away to high-flying Beeston 4s but were determined, after an early season loss to the same opposition at home, to show how far they’ve progressed in the intervening period. The 2s got off to a fantastic start with an awesome steal-and-shoot from Jon S and a calm near-post finish from Ed putting them 2-0 up, but a PC for Beeston amidst a sustained period of pressure brought the home team back into the game before half-time. A tense second half looked to be going Saints’ way as a solo run from Hamish restored the 2-goal cushion but when the 2s were reduced to 10 men by an “unlucky” 10-minute yellow the tide turned. A crash ball into the D ricocheted into the side netting and a lone striker left in far too much space brought Beeston level as Saints’ back line worked tirelessly to keep their reinvigorated opponents at bay. Gav in goal had the final say this week, tipping Beeston’s last second PC round the post and preserving a hard-won and well-deserved point. MoM went to captain Ollie (with honourable mentions to Chris and Gav) for maintaining a sterling defence throughout.

Ladies 2’s 1-1 Loughborough Town

The ladies 2s played Loughborough town. The ladies worked hard, maintaining most of the possession throughout the first half which led to a great goal scored by Grace Noble on a short Corner. The team effort throughout the game was apparent as everyone worked tirelessly off the ball to maintain possession. Unfortunately the end result was frustrating with a 1-1 draw but the team played very well overall. Player of the match was given to Millie Ritchie and Hattie Fordham who both worked hard in both attacking and defending phases of play.

M4s dialled the effort up to 11 against University of Warwick 4s on Saturday, Joe Cliffe setting the pace with an early goal and then running out of puff. Making up for last week’s defeat, the home team didn’t let up, with two goals a piece from Simon Stringer, Zac Cooley and MOM Seb Crick, who ran Warwick absolutely ragged in the second half and scored what must surely be a candidate for Saints’ Goal of the Season! 7-2…super work