Ladies 4s on a roll.

After a frosty week with temperatures below zero, the Ladies 4s went to bed praying for sun in order to avoid another postponed game. Saturday morning arrived and so did the sun. With a (nearly) full squad, we were ready to defend our place in the top 3 of the league.

Winning the toss, we chose to play tactically with the blinding sun behind us in the hope of bagging a good lead in the first half before playing against it in the second. However, it was the visitors in red that got the first goal - an unstoppable whack from a striker at the top of our D. It was 1-0 to 8th placed Carnegie.

It was our turn. Pressing hard, were soon in the reds’ D and Jodie won her first of 4 short corners for the ladies in white. With Carly off gallivanting round the North of England, Jenny stepped up to inject to Suz at the top of the D for a straight strike into the right hand corner. With the backboard almost shattered, we had equalised.

Thanks to a great work-rate from midfield, the ball was soon back in the opponent’s D. Ball at stick and sun in her eyes, there was only one place Jodie was aiming for. That’s right, the defender’s foot to win us another short. After the success of our first short, Carnegie had anticipated another straight strike and managed to block Suz’s shot. Finding the reverse of her stick, Julia swept the ball towards Jenny who graciously hopped over the shot allowing the ball to travel through her straddled legs and hit the backboard once more. ‘Sonians were up 2-1.

The action continued as Young Legs, Katie G, drove the ball through the middle of the pitch beating each opposition one by one and soon winning another short for the Ladies 4s. As Carnegie blocked another attempt at goal, we were now playing ping pong. Having had enough, Jodie leaped over the goalie to tap in our third goal. With a sigh of exasperation, we had strengthened the lead to 3-1.

The game became scrappy with Becca ‘The Terrier’ providing a target for Carnegie team and Aoife literally bleeding maroon. It was time to recoup.

The second half opened with an early goal from Carnegie who had found a gap in our midfield and were gifted a strike from the top of our D.

With hunger in their bellies, the reds continued to increase the pressure on our defence, however, with Alisa in goals and Ellie holding strong in centre back, any leads were not to be converted.

Making use of our bumper squad, rolling subs enabled a constant supply of fresh legs in midfield. The Ladies 4s grew dangerous on the right wing as Ashley begun running circles around Carnegie’s midfield and defence allowing Watsonians’ strikers time to set up. As an unmarked Aoife collected the pass, everyone seemed to stop for a moment to witness what would be the last goal of the game. A well placed sweep into the D allowed an unmanned Julia to tap it in once more. The reds grunted “URRGHH” as they saw their chances of an equaliser slip away. The score now 4-2.

With time ticking away, Carnegie pressed their attack and won another short corner. This was no match for Suze who had played a stormer of game. As the umpire reached for their whistle, Suze swept the ball out of play and the Ladies 4s rejoiced.

Now sitting 2nd in the league, could we accidentally be promoted for a second time?! No doubt Watsonians Ladies 3s will have something to say about that as they find the 4s hot on their heels.

Thanks to Michelle for umpiring.

MoM: Suze (Did you ever know that you're our heroooo?)
DoD (Donut of the Day for pre-watershed): Katie G for subbing on still in her navy hoody and stopping play....Maybe a protest for having to wear white at home.