Ladies 1st XI Vs Southwell Brincliffe United 3

Eleanor had welcomed a squad member not playing today but on the touchline in noisy support. Gemma (the jet-propelled) Robinson and her sister Ellie, likewise . Plus the Mum of Sophie  (Swift to Pounce) Atkinson,  the Mum of Freya (Meteor) Beaumont, the parents of Evie (Shooting Star) Bates and past South Notts squad star Olivia Wallace, Eleanor’s sister

Later on our men’s XI arrived early for their match to provide deep-voiced cheers and “helpful” advice. Much appreciated , especially in the last quarter of a tight, early-season match to generate the extra mile of effort.

We played a number of rolling substitutes and not all of them were playing in preferred positions, and many in our team were not playing in preferred positions. But innate skills and high determination overcame these issues as a TEAM and somehow we prospered. Well done, everyone.

Southwell Brincliffe opened up as usual with a series of pre-planned attacks on our South Notts goal. But they had to face serious hurdles to get past.

First there was Jo (Barrier of the Pyrenees) Shaw who absolutely shone in cutting off cunning passes. Then there was Captain Eleanor (Rock of Gibraltar) Wallace who has a speciality in “getting in the way” of opposing forwards, quite legally and quite properly. And of course to get to that point, they had also to get past Vice-Captain Freya (Meteor) Beaumont who was almost scorching the pitch in her speed. All very efficient and hats off to our Thursday training evenings.

Then Southwell Brincliffe came up against an in-top-form Elizabeth (They Shall Not Pass) Turner, who in goal-keeping matters is not inclined to be generous in any way. Southwell were sent packing, time after time. 0-0.

In the meantime our forward line were trying to dish out the same attacking medicine to Southwell. Their defence was having an excellent day and was treating our clever attacks with apparent disdain.

Each side was creating innovative opportunities in a dynamic fashion and both teams were carefully exploring new tactics and new combinations. An exciting match, and very even and equal high skills displayed by each team.

Outstanding at this stage in our forward line were Emma (Speedy Gonzalez) Roberts who kept slicing through at speed, Louise (Poacher) Price who kept  spectators (and Southwell) on their toes with nearly-snatched goals out of nowhere  and out-of-usual-position Caroline (the Incomparable) Brackenbury (now  on the left wing) , getting round fast behind their defence. But Southwell defence hung on, raised its game to block our skills, and South Notts were unlucky not to score.

In centre midfield, Sophie (Swift to Pounce) Atkinson caused on several occasions gasps of admiration from spectators. One example was when an opponent neatly stopped a ball and looked round for someone to pass to. Big mistake. Sophie swiftly took it off her possession, leaving her opponent open mouthed in astonishment. And Sophie set up another attack.

Also Rose (the Crafty) Cartwright was playing back a bit in midfield, with clear attacking intent. Her bobbing and weaving clearly mesmerised and puzzled her opponents. She too, was providing good ball to the forwards, insistently and consistently.

Then there was Fiona (the Greyhound) Sweetman at highest speed, tackling back, up in attack, linking up with great effect.

So knowing that our defenders were playing out of their skins in shutting down Southwell attacks, the forwards knew it was up to them to break open the Southwell defence. Our forwards were getting good ball from midfield and from our defenders such as Freya and Jo driving up  attacks.

Then Ruby (Rocket) Ryan broke open the deadlock by a sensational goal with an assist pass from Evie(Shooting Star) Bates. The game fizzed with increased generated activity and somehow Southwell Brincliffe managed to equalise at a moment  that South Notts  were all committed in attack.

1. and all to play for.

Both teams settled down to plot and counter-plot for the goals that would be decisive.  Mesmerising to the spectators; the game’s pendulum swung back and forth for match dominance.

Ruby (Rocket) Ryan accelerated up to collect a sharp assist from Sammy (the Arrow) Markwick and rattled a second goal to make it 2-1.

A bit later, Lucy (Strike Force) Lloyd sparkled through to pick up an unbelievably clever reverse pass from Sammy (the Arrow) Markwick. Lucy  rifled her shot into the top of their net. 3-1 to South Notts.

Southwell still pressed hard on our doughty defenders. Then a shrewd assist from Caroline Brackenbury enabled Evie (Shooting Star) Bates to make no mistake about making it 4-1.  But undaunted Southwell still looked dangerous until twinkle-toed Sammy (the Arrow) Markwick danced past their defence, and drilled a ball hard and true into their goal’s backboard. Phew, 5-1, to South Notts.

The significant score 5-1 did not reflect the closeness of the play and the fact that for much of the game the result was definitely not a foregone conclusion. The Team played brilliantly. Well done.

Thanks also to Will Honey and Tom Pitsillos  for their strong and capable control of the game

Coach’s comments

Splendid grit and determination at all levels. No weak links. Some team members felt the rolling subs into new positions, and players playing out of usual position was unsettling but our strength in depth compensated to some extent.