DORSET WOMENS LEAGUE
SUNDAY 20TH MARCH 2016
WOOL & WINFRITH LADIES 2 VERWOOD TOWN LADIES 4

The long anticipated match against Wool began with some last minute changes to the team (again) due to medical emergencies.

No subs being available is never a good way to start a match and Verwood elected to shoot up a very steep hill in the first half.

Wool had signed a number of very strong players in recent weeks and their defence was disciplined, well drilled and very organised making it difficult for the girls to find a way through. The short passing and team movement Verwood work hard on in training was hampered by a very uneven playing service and the attack was laboured as Wool were able to defend from the higher ground.

A very even first half saw very few chances falling to either side, but both teams kept their shape and organisation throughout the half.

Half-Time 0-0

The second half saw Jo taking up the gloves, Steph moving to the Right side of the attacking formation and Sophie playing furthest forward.

With gravity favouring the visitors, the emphasis was on overloading the attack, exposing Wool's undermanned wings and avoiding the packed central positions.

This tactic worked as Verwood camped out in Wool's half with Sharon and Kirsty piling on the pressure down each flank.

Karla and Sally looked assured even if the defence did look a little thin as Verwood looked to break the deadlock.

Wool simply could not contain Steph on the right and soon Wool had two players assigned to her, allowing Lowri and Lally more space and time to show their ability in the middle.

On the left, Hannah had her game of the season and Kirsty was playing on a level higher than anyone else on the pitch. Very assured on the ball, cool when defending and devastating when she ran at Wool, looking like she could and would go all the way by herself.

Rosy eased into the Defensive Midfield role and looked made for that role, distributing well and offering solid cover for the back line, allowing the attacking players freedom to commit.

The Deadlock was finally broken when Steph made a very quick break down the right and fed a perfectly weighted ball through to Sophie, who read the pass and collected perfectly, took on and skilled a player or two on her way to goal. The crowd were braced for a ballooned shot over the bar, but it was coolly slotted low past the keeper. 1-0 to Verwood.

Wool Rallied and hit Verwood on the break moments after kick off and equalised. This galvanised Verwood to pile on a lot of pressure, pinning Wool at the bottom of the hill when Verwood's second goal came in a similar manor as the first, with Steph supplying from the right and Sophie finishing with precision.

It was not long after the second goal that Steph turned from supplier to scorer as Lowri made a dash to her right, dragging the defence with her. Steph cut inside and made sure of the finish to make it 3-1.

Lally and Lowri had the centre shored up as they defended from the front, keeping Wool from counter attacking and feeding the ball through to Hannah and Steph who were both supported by very impressive performances by the full backs, Kirsty and Sharon.

Verwood's fourth goal was spectacular, saving the best for the last. Sophie showed her intelligence off the ball as she darted wide and behind Steph, providing Steph room to push forward and cut in.

Lowri and Lally both made sure they were picked up by defenders keeping them busy while Hannah made a perfectly timed run to the back post, slipping unnoticed by the otherwise occupied defence. Hannah arrived at the perfect moment to nudge a cross in from Steph, however a touch wasn't needed as Steph's Cross somehow found the back of the net itself. Of course Steph 'Meant It'…..

It was the best team goal so far this year as far as movement, timing and team cohesion was concerned and a pleasure to watch.

With 5 minutes to go, Wool scored a very good consolation goal to make it

Final-Score 4-2.

A solid win against a very organised and massively improved Wool team who were gracious hosts and a pleasure to meet.

The Players:

Player of the Match: Kirsty. Fitness and pace has doubled since the start of the season, but it was her positional sense, support down the flank, safe handling of the ball, ice cool head, precision passing and destruction of any Wool attack down their right flank that all ensured one of the best, if not the best performance we have seen from any player, either for or against us all season.

Steph: On any other day, her performance would have given her player of the match. First half, showed very safe hands and in the second half was Verwood's bright spark in attack, tormenting the Wool defence and they simply did not have an answer for her relentless attacking display.

Hannah: By far the most improved player of the year so far. Won many challenges and got into some good positions. Looking more and more confident and assured on the ball giving her team a strong performance.

Sophie: Always amongst the best performers on the pitch and her ability and skill provided her team with two well taken goals. Intelligent play and very accurate passing and finishing and a key player in nearly all Verwood's attacking play.

Lowri: Always a solid, reliable performance no matter what position she plays and today was no exception. Adapted very well to the difficult footballing conditions, ran hard and was unlucky not to get on the score-sheet for her efforts. A goal would have been deserved.

Lally: Assured performance on the ball and played an essential part in pinning Wool back, particularly in the second half. Set up a number of chances today and kept the home side's defence very busy.

Rosy: Was needed to cover the Defensive Midfield position today and looked like it had been her position for years. Comfortable, assured and provided the defence solid cover while ensuring Verwood kept the ball when moving forward.

Sharon: Given licence to roam up the pitch and attack with Steph down the right flank and covered so much ground during the game. Appeared to enjoy joining in the surge forward and more often than not got back in time to help her defence.

Karla: Worked her socks off knowing that the defence was going to be short in numbers during the second half and did her duty well, giving the forward players confidence to stick to their game plan.

Sally: Ran longer, faster and further than any other game this year and held the line with Karla much more efficiently which was essential today.

Jo: Special mention has to go to Jo. A good performance during the first half in very difficult conditions, providing an outlet for any clearance. Worked hard and probed the Wool's defence. But it was the second half performance that will stick in everyone's memory. Plenty of comedy moments and enjoyed giving her team mates a heart attack, collecting the ball in her 6 yard box and openly inviting Wool to try to take the ball from her. While the management were collapsing with a coronary on the side and her team mates standing stunned, wide eyed and pulling clumps of their hair out, Jo coolly dribbled the ball past two attackers across her own goal line, then ran out from goal, taking on a Wool midfielder for good measure before releasing the ball to a team mate.

Jo reassured everyone she knew what she was doing and she certainly looked like the only player or spectator not to be in full panic, we have to believe she had it all under control as she truly looked surprised anyone was panicking. We love it! Our matches just aren't the same without Jo!

Well done team. It was a difficult game for many reasons, but you all played with heart and determination as did Wool, who have to be commended for their efforts from start to finish.

Starting line-up:
GK: Steph
DL: Kirsty
DC: Sally & Karla
DR: Sharon
DMF: Rosy
AML: Hannah
AMC: Lally & Lowri
AMR: Sophie
CF: Jo

Player of the Match: Kirsty
Goals:
Sophie (58, 64)
Steph (72, 82)