Ladies 1st XI Vs Southwell Brincliffe United Ladies III

Match report 10.11.18

South Nottingham Ladies v Southwell Brincliffe United  (SBU) Ladies

Beth led out a strong and active team to see an experienced SBU team hoofing up their yards in warming up. Luckily we were there early, as directed by Jo , and showed our own paces. We are really quick

It was great to have the 2Gs in top form.  GG= Goalkeeper-Goddess Elizabeth.   Goddess of Defence   (just call me G.o.D.) Mel. Her injured wrist is improved but not fully comfortable. But the thought of smacking balls out of defence out to our  wings to create attacks against SBU was too much to resist. The two of them swatted away SBU attacks as if they were irritating flies.

But first they had to get past Holly, Jo and Alice. Great competition as to who was fastest over the ground. Splendid and capable. Their strikings of the ball sounded crisp and sweet;  our defence are a fine combination. Don’t let it be said that   GG Elizabeth  and our G.o.D. Mel were backwards in coming forward with ‘helpful’ suggestions.   And all this rattled the SBU forward line, who seemed to be a bit flummoxed by these safe and creative pairs of hands, and steely forearms.

 Katrina, Caroline and Izzy B /Kate held the midfield.  We have all appreciated for many seasons, Katrina’s and Caroline’s  speed and skills as the hard core of our  attack and our defence. But now we have their next generation (3) playing for us superbly and they think they are keeping their Mums up to the mark!  No doubt groans from SBU at the prospect of this next generation carrying the flame against them for many years to come. Ball distribution was specific and creative. Passes were not at random but really purposeful.  Well done. Kate played a stormer, as we have come to expect, and Izzy B showed great improvement in positioning for receiving and sending carefully directed passes; she improves by the week.  All harassing and challenging the SBU opposition like the Terriers we are.

Up front, Louise played a cracking game on the right.  Back to help midfield and up in the goalmouth in attack. Made the supporters envy her speed. And rather against the run of play at the time, Louise rifled in the only goal of the game.  Beth was foraging up front and making herself visible to receive our  shrewd, well-directed passes. Weaving with best stick-work into the heart of their defence.  Gracie/Poppy must be in training for the next Olympics as part of the GB 100m sprint team, great to see but they could not be everywhere. Their lovely strikings of the ball, and positioning were highly creative. Brilliant.

Score-line 1-0 to South Notts.

Coaching tips of the week.

1. When we are attacking, get unmarked. When we are defending, mark our opponent closely. Sometimes when attacking, we were marking our opponent too closely and making their life easier to mark us,  and making it more difficult for  our defenders to clear to.
2. Keep moving to keep the opposition on their toes. Sometimes one or more of our players were a bit too static, so that SBU knew where we were, without needing to check.
3. Keep the team structure in mind. This was held better this week but occasionally t here was too great a gap between a) defence being right back beside Mel and  b) midfield up  front behind the forwards. And likewise in defence too great a gap sometimes developed between a) midfield back helping our  defence and b) the too distant forward line, so that SBU could cut out our defensive clearances.

But these were minor glitches. This season we have snatched victory several times out of the jaws of possible defeat. SBU are no pushover, not at all,  and put our defence  under constant pressure. But the Terriers  were resilient and we kept up our  teamwork. So well done the Terriers.