There's always something special about the first game of the season and ours was no different. New kit, new players, nicely mown grass, sunshine, and on the downside, sore feet from the hard ground, and a feeling of 'how did I get so unfit?' But this was a good start. Despite the result, this was a very good performance from a brand new team who for half the game held the score even and produced some excellent passing football. It can only get better.
In the 1980s England had two top class goalkeepers and the manager Ron Greenwood couldn't decide which he should play. His answer was to alternate them. So we too have a Clemence/Shilton situation with Cara and Lucie, two excellent goalies battling to get the number one shirt. Today we played one first half, the other the second.
On a bright sunny September morning, the newly shirted girls lined up in a 2-3-1 formation. At the back were the dependable duo, Ellie M and Sophie. In the centre of the middle was Kiera with Laura and Lily either side, and up front there Olivia was the lone ranger in search of goals despite her saying she'd never played up front before. Cara went between the sticks for the first half with Lucie on the bench alongside texting Laura.
For the first 15 minutes, Waverton were excellent. Sophie and Ellie dealt with the back well and in midfield Kiera linked up brilliantly with Lily and Laura. It was an superb display and a great start to the season. Upton though got a goal and our heads went down. Our biggest weakness. It's so tangible and it means we are more vulnerable to conceding and so it happened. More goals from the strong Upton side followed and at half time it was 6-0.
In the second half Lucie went in goal and Lauren continued in place of Laura for an initial period and she did very well. Again though Waverton played brilliantly with some excellent passing and movement in midfield. And then it came, the first home goal. An attack from Laura down the left led to the ball coming to Kiera who right in the centre jinked around the defender and blasted the ball home. Fantastic goal from a player who was having one of her best games for the club.
Upton got one back, unluckily for Lucie, and then another one. Olivia though supported by the now outfield Cara and Laura hit a great low shot into the bottom left hand corner. Upton scored right near the end but the second half showing was fantastic overall and bouyed by the home goals, the Waverton girls heads were kept up.
Lily played excellently in midfield and then when she dropped to the back when Ellie M had to go off after struggling to shake off her illness. Sophie was brilliant at the back although she was dead on her feet at the end. Laura buzzed and buzzed and was excellent and Olivia took her goal realy well. Lauren showed how much she has improved and did really well. Kiera won player of the match and deservedly so, she was here, there and everywhere. An excellent performance in her first full u16 game.
Lucie and Cara did really well. Good kicking and distribution from the two and some brilliant and brave saves from both.
Well done girls, for half the first and half the second period, you were outstanding and for the first game without the benefit of friendlies that was some achievement against a strong and sharp shooting Upton side. With improved fitness and getting to know each other more, it will gel much better. Not a bad start at all.
Player of the match - Kiera and for Upton Louise O'Brien.
Thanks to Robin for reffing and to the injured Kate for coming to cheer everyone on.
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