Ladies 1st XI Vs West Bridgford 4

South Notts Ladies welcomed West Bridgford to the last League match of the season. West Bridgford were well prepared and  had worked out counter-plans to deal with South Notts attacks, just as South Notts had plans to shut down well- established West Bridgford plans of attack .This led to an effective deadlock  for a long time and at half time it was still 0-0  despite repeated and highly effective attacks by both sides.

The second half was much the same but the number of South Notts supporters was gradually increasing, increasing vocal. Players from previous years reappeared, including Katrina Blunden (specially down from Edinburgh for the event) and Mel Park, heroines from past triumphs  were joined by Louise Price who has been off ill for most of the season  and by many parents and siblings.

Their noisy support was great but not quite enough.

20 minutes from full time, it was still 0-0. South Notts looked like winners but were unable to pierce the solid West Bridgford defence and had to win to secure the League Division 5 title. And WB  were unable to pierce South’s defence of Freya Beaumont as reliable stand in keeper, Captain Eleanor Wallace as much a barrier at sweeper as  the Rock of Gibraltar , of sturdy Liz Foster and Jo Shaw all as a defence Team proving impregnable.

Third quarter ended at 0-0. Getting tighter.

But then the South Notts Men’s 4s appeared early for their next match. This not only dramatically swelled the number of South Notts supporters  but also  the volume of noisy support.  It clearly made a welcome difference.

And in the fourth quarter things began to move and encourage tired limbs. A neat pass from Caroline Brackenbury in the centre, out to Ruby Ryan rocketing down the right wing, inside to Becky Humfris . She ruthlessly beat the West Bridgford keeper and rattled their backboard. 1-0 and West Bridgford redoubled their efforts. South’s midfield happily mopped up the challenges.

Indeed, the West Bridgford challenges opened up gaps in their own defence. Lucy Lloyd made a shrewd pass up to Joanna Foxall on the left wing, then inside to Evie Bates who cleverly diddled her opponent and then back inside to an unmarked Ella Pearce. A spectacular power drive from Ella past the West Bridgford keeper made it 2-0 to South Notts with only seconds to go. Match won and the League Division title. The appreciative cheers would have done credit to an FA Cup Final at Wembley