A Hard Fought Win for Ladies 4s

With Grange having lost their last two games significantly, the mighty Ladies 4s (fresh off two sound victories) thought the win should be no problem. Oh how wrong we were...a significant improvement from their last match saw the home team start strong and have a shot on goal within 30 seconds...

Starting in an attacking formation the 4s could not settle and were all over place. This let Grange pick the ball up on the break and with 3 players clear in the D they slotted it home at the back post. This was the jolt we needed and immediately we pulled it together to start adding some passes together. Some silky smooth skills from young Olivia saw us get the equaliser much to everyone's relief!

Grange's swarm tactics (and multiple substitutes) proved challenging to work round by a still not quite settled 4s team. Grange picked up the ball at the halfway line and again on the break had an overlap, a one-on-one ensued that fortunately hit the post, unfortunately as I was sprawled at full stretch on the ground desperately trying to hook the ball away the rebound was slotted home for Grange 's second. Much to Jodie's um let's call it angst...

The Captains roar of 'we're better than this Watsonians!" did the trick and again we responded with another killer shot on target from Olivia. 2-2 at halftime and a bit of re-jigging at the back meant we came out on the b of the bang and instantly settled into our new formation, threading passes together and making their keeper work hard from the off. Jenny thumped a belter to get the third of the day.

Grange pushed hard in the last 15mins and got a short which resulted in a stonking straight strike at goal which ricochet off my pads heading straight for Zoe's head. Fortunately it missed (phew!) but the inevitable second short was awarded but expertly cleared by the Watsonians defence. We had lots of close calls with our attacking short corners and finally our persistence paid off with Olivia slotting home her hat - trick with a shot that beautifully went past everyone and clipped the backboard by the slightest of glances (precision play an understatement!) and we finally had some breathing space. With our confidence growing we shut down the swarm and covered the breaks well. Then it was just a case of picking up the players and trying to run down the clock to chalk up our third win in a row!

Another great team effort, roll on the cup next weekend!

Katie D

Photo courtesy of Julia Patience