Report

Fleet Town Girls 2 Sandhurst Town Tigers 3

After struggling to get a full team out in the last couple of fixtures it was great to see a full complement of girls turn up for this tough fixture. The girls lined up:

Nicole Timpson, Jessica Francis, Hannah Sharp, Sophie Eynon, Erin Clegg, Elizabeth Farrant, Ani Radountcheva, Robyn Flint, Catrin Anderson, Aimee Hardy, Shannon Mather

Sub: Megan Cotter.

Fleet started the game well and had the better of the early exchanges but they did not manage to create any real chances. After 10 minutes or so, Sandhurst gradually started to get in to the game  and started to get the upper hand with their crisp passing and movement. On 12 minutes they forced a corner that was brilliantly taken and they were unlucky not to score as they saw it curl just wide of the far post. Five minutes later they won another corner that once again was beautifully delivered, this time to the near post where it was bundled in to open the scoring.

Fleet  kept their heads up and continued to work hard but they struggled to get any real rhythm going. It was Sandurst who continued to pass well and create the better chances. Having said that, Fleet created a couple of half chances but when the rub of the green is not going your way the chances do not go in. On 43 minutes, Fleet conceded a free kick in a dangerous  position in front of the Fleet goal about 25 yards out. Up stepped the Sandhurst girl who had delivered the corners so well and she curled the ball over the Fleet wall and in to the top right hand corner to make it 0-2 to Sandhurst. A minute later it was 0-3 as one of the Sandhurst girls hit an opportunist shot from fully thirty yards that caught Nicole off her line and the ball crept just under the crossbar.

So, 0-3 down at half time and Fleet had it all to do.  Fleet started the second half really well as their football started to flow and they took advantage with a really well worked goal in the 49^th minute. Robyn got hold of the ball just inside the Sandhurst half and picked out a lovely pass to Liffy wide on the right hand side. Liffy headed for the bi-line and hit a crisp cross to Shannon lurking on the edge of the six yard box. Shannon hit it first time and buried it past the Sandhurst keeper. After this, the game settled into a real battle with both teams working hard and playing some great Football.  Chances came and went for both teams. As the game wore on it was Fleet who started to get the upper hand and with two minutes to go, John decided to change formation and put three up front as Sandhurst were clearly hanging on. This move paid immediate dividends as Shannon hit a lovely cross to Catrin at the near post and she cleverly flicked it past the hapless Sandhurst keeper.  2-3 then with a minute left. Sandhurst re-started and after what seemed like an eternity Fleet gained possession and worked the ball forward. With time ticking away, Sharpy found herself in possession 8 yards out. She hit a firm shot that went through the ‘keeper’s legs but unfortunately for Fleet the ‘keeper  managed to sit on the ball and stop it going in. That was just about the last action of the game and the whistle went with Fleet in the ascendancy. 

On balance the game was very enjoyable to watch and as always against Sandhurst, the result was very close.  The Fleet girls all put in a good shift but it was Erin who picked up the player of the match award for another really solid performance.  Sophie deserves a special mention as she put in another tremendous performance in central defence.  Already a good player, Sophie has visibly grown in confidence and ability over the season and is now, along with Sharpy one of the best centre backs in the league. After several games out, Sharpy was back in the side and she will certainly benefit from the run out as she gets back to full match fitness. Megan, Jess, Robyn, Shannon, Aimee, Liffy and Catrin all played well and made some important contributions to the game.  Once again, Nicole had a good game making some important saves. She really could not have done much about any of the Sandhurst goals. Lets hope the squad can avoid any further injuries as they have every chance of picking up points in the run in to edge them up the table.