| Match Report |
South Nottingham Ladies 1 v Newark 4ths
team version
The Team welcomed back after the Christmas break, the reliable skills and athleticism of speedy Kate Parker , creative and strong striker Scarlett Duckett, long-striding Issy Solbe, and “they shall not pass” Alps-like defender Alice Hounslow.
Newark had to get past solid and shrewd defenders Alice Hounslow, India Clark, Liberty Rowe , and Scarlett Duckett. Liberty’s positional play improves every week. Then they met up with Eleanor Wallace as crunching sweeper, making an ‘actual’ appearance this week as opposed to her ‘virtual’ one last week! Sorry, Eleanor! Eleanor’s shrewd reading of the game is now second to none.
Elizabeth Turner in goal seemed to grow extra arms and legs, in capably repelling the hostile and very frequent Newark raids. A real Rock of Gibraltar.
Experienced Newark came at South Notts like ‘bats out of hell’ immediately after push-back. The less experienced South Notts struggled in the opening stages to keep Newark at bay. Successfully.
But very slowly, under the capable and creative midfield leadership of rocket-lady-speedster Louise Price, aided by Becky Lindley, Kate Parker, Issy Solbe and Poppy Scothern, the tide began to turn, noticeably. This midfield proved the “engine-room” of the team on the day, back in sturdy defence and up cleverly supporting attacks. And in between, creating opportunities with intelligent forward, square and back passes.
Newark’s counter-attacks were being predicted by Louise Price and India Clark, both of whom had great games. These counter-attacks were being regularly shut down by South Notts players who were clearly much hungrier and much faster for the loose ball. We were cleverly running into spaces to receive clever passes. “Making the ball do the work”.
There then followed a prolonged period of sustained attack on the Newark goal line. Centre forward Captain Bethany Marshall skilfully drew defenders towards her in the centre, and so freed up Emma Turner and Abbie Rimmington with their piercing, darting runs, and Kate Parker and Gracie Scothern, all to speed outside, to go round behind the Newark defence and put it under constant stress.
Bethany set a great example by laying off so many scoring passes in the Newark D, but still managed to put 2 brilliants of her own on to the score sheet. Loads of quality passing and all our forwards were clinical and thoughtful up front. Absolutely brilliant to watch and admire.
At half time South Nottingham were 4-0 up,
Abbie Rimmington and Emma Turner in particular, like hawks, were pouncing at high speed on loose balls, as Bethany Marshall, Ruby Graham, Gracie Scothern and Poppy Scothern were causing extra mayhem in the Newark defensive formation. Bethany had a superb leadership game.
Ruby Graham’s speed, and her intelligent control of events, are truly awesome. Gracie and Poppy were always in the centre of vigorous and highly-skilled action. Passion melded with athletic creativity.
But Newark never gave up and drilled in a superb goal in the closing minutes. This goal against us was a brilliant finish under our ‘keeper’. Nothing to worry about a good finish from one of their best players, who cleverly got herself unmarked. Newark were always on the lookout for a breakaway goal and were a constant danger.
Coach’s tips, being positive :-
1. Loads of great quality passing and we were clinical in the D. Absolutely brilliant to watch.
2. Free hits inside the 25 need to be practised more as “set pieces”, so that every player knows her position and function in the set piece.
3. We do not need to “welly” every pass. A well-directed and swift push or slap has greater and quicker impact. It means we will not get caught in possession. Which we were, occasionally.
4. The Team has youth and fitness on our side. It is clear that players are not sitting around at home during the week but keeping well in trim. Well done. This seemingly Inexhaustible energy even made some spectators exhausted to watch! We need to maintain this high tempo intensity throughout every match. Even if the opponents counter us to begin with, our last 20 minutes can see them run off their feet.
5. Part of that speediness is, taking touchline push-ins and free hits quickly. Keeping our opponents on the back foot. If we are too slow, we let opponents get into position marking us and cutting off the passes. We then have to really sprint to recover the advantage.
Final score 7-1 to South Nottingham. Goal scorers: Louise Price 3, Bethany Marshall 2, Emma Turner 1, Becky Lindley 1. So far, played 9 league games, won 9, goals for 52; against 8. Coach’s under-18s prize this week to Ruby Graham. Well-deserved.
Thank you to Dick Simmons and Neil Batty for umpiring.
It is noticeable that we are now seeing men’s team players arriving earlier at Ladies’ team matches to cheer us on, and advise, which is a great help and much appreciated. Plus partners, parents, brothers and sisters. Valuable beyond measure. Thank you.
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