Report

Sunday 21^st April 2013

AFC Dronfield Ladies     1

Ashbourne Ladies           0

Togetherness brings the win

After a tough game last week AFC were looking to bounce back and lift themselves off the bottom of the league. The feeling throughout the team was positive and everyone seemed in good spirits.
 

With the sun shining and the pitch looking good Ashbourne got the game underway. Straight from the off AFC were pressing and harrying the opposition. It was Ashbourne though that won the first set piece of the game, the Ashbourne winger picked up the ball on the right wing and ran towards the box a great covering tackle by Amy W put the ball out for a corner. This led to a series of corners which AFC defended well and managed to turn defence into attack when the ball was won by Jaz and played out wide to Emma I with a series of passes between Emma, Jaz and Kyla AFC found themselves on the edge of the Ashbourne box. The resulting cross found its way into the side netting. Dronfield were now well on top with everyone doing their jobs without fault. Lereece and Amy doing working together well clearing up anything that came their way. Jess was in inspired form battling and challenging well to halt any Ashbourne attack down the left. Siobhan stepping in and clearing any danger as well as providing some great support play down the right. Lucy S and Jaz were the engine of the team working tirelessly in the middle, winning endless challenges and headers as well as providing numerous cutting passes to the winders and strikers. Emma I and Kelly were providing both great attacking threats with most attacks going through the wings. They also provided the full backs with all the cover they needed as through long spells of the half the visitors struggled to get out of their half. Becky H was working hard upfront and providing Kyla with all she needed to cause the defence problems with many strong runs through the heart of the defence. Although the prolonged pressure proved fruitless. Hoping to capitalise on the pressure Becky H made way for Kristina and shortly after Emma F replaced Kelly.  Ashbourne then gave AFC a warning, after a well worked move they won a corner. The delivery found its way to a free Ashbourne attacker in the middle of the AFC box the resulting shot being blocked and cleared. The warning was not acted upon by Dronfield as not long after another corner was met by a great header and if it wasn’t for Emma I on the line Ashbourne would have gone ahead. A few minutes later a fantastic passage of play found Dronfield on the edge of the visitor’s penalty area. Patient build saw Emma I receive the ball on the left wing, some neat play with Kyla led to shot that was just into the side netting.

HT          0-0

The second half began in the same vein as the first. Early attacks from Ashbourne reminded AFC that they were in a game. The early pressure bring soaked up well by the defence. The battling continued from every player in white. Lynsay replaced Kyla early in the second half with the aim of changing the angle of attack. The clam collected football AFC were playing was looking really good from the sidelines and was proving effective as passes were being strung together and advances made up the pitch. The pressure form Dronfield was now relentless, closing down early and not allowing the opposition to play and making it difficult to pass. Lynsay and Kristina working tirelessly to keep the Ashbourne defence form clearing their lines. Emma F, Lucy, Jas and Sarah were collecting anything that was falling around the middle of the park. The two centre backs Amy and Lereece communicated well and made sure Lucie had little to do. A couple of set pieces from Ashbourne caused AFC a few problems but where the outfield players were beaten Lucie was there to make sure the ball stayed the right side of the line. Siobhan was planting dangerous balls into the opposition box from free kicks. One free kick floated into the box was attacked by Lynsay who watched her header go just over the bar. With the game drawing to a close a final change was made with Kelly replacing Emma F on the right. With just 8 minutes to go the deadlock was finally broken. A corner lofted in was cleared by the Ashbourne defence but only as far as Jasmine, great shot from the edge of the was destined for the top corner only for the Ashbourne captain to put her arm in the air and save the ball from going in. The ref pointed to the spot straight away and banished a red. Kristina stepped up and confidently and smashed the ball into the bottom left corner giving the keeper no chance. (1-0). It was now time for AFC to run down the clock with only a few minutes remaining. The AFC players kept the ball in the corners running the clock down for a long 4 minutes.

A corner was won when a break out of the left hand corner was intercepted by a defender. The delivery was cleared by the visitors defence followed by the final whistle from the referee.

FT           1-0

A well deserved win. A great team performance with all players playing for each other. Let’s hope this togetherness and good feeling carries on to lead us to a few more wins.

Player of the match – A rare team award this week for the fantastic performance from each and every player