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Well, a bit of a strange start to today’s cup game against Nottingham United. Having arrived at their ground, it was quite clear from a quick look at the pitch, that the earlier adults game had put paid to us playing, as the pitch was very boggy to say the least. Both managers quickly decided that the best cause of action was to possibly switch the game back to Woodlands. With all the players and parents in agreement, off we went back to Allestree.
With Alan doing a sterling job of setting the pitch up, with Robin’s assistance, the game was on and a 2pm kick off was agreed.
The game was very cagey from the kick off, with both teams trying to take charge. With the constant threat of the long throw that Nottingham use to great effect, Woodlands were always under pressure to defend deep in their own area.
Very few clear cut chances were created in the first half, with both keepers just making routine stops.
Having switched Saff and Emily around at the start of the second half, the girls seemed to create more opportunities and looked much more of a threat going forward. From a well threaded pass, it was Saff who ran through and rounded the keeper but appeared to have gone too wide, only to spin on the bye line and squeeze her shot into the net from an impossible angle.
With the game being so even throughout, it was always going to be a close score line and so it proved. Nottingham dug in and started to create some of their own chances, and from a long ball over the top, a mix up in the Woodlands defence, saw Nottingham poke the ball home for a deserved equaliser.
To the girls credit though, in the past we may have folded at this point a few months ago but not a bit of it today. Arguably Woodlands played their best football, when the scores were level again and with eight minutes to go, Katie W took on three defenders on the right wing, looked up and found Emily who controlled with her back to goal, turned and buried the ball into the net for 2-1 and scored the girls 300th league and cup goal since we started way back in 2006.
Obviously Nottingham hadn’t finished and mounted wave after wave of attack but having rode their luck a few times at the back, woodlands edged over the finish line, to make it through to the League Cup Semi Finals.
Many thanks to both sets of parents, ours for travelling to Notts and back and to Nottingham United’s for agreeing to travel back to Allestree, so that the game could be played. I think both sets of parents and players showed a true team spirit to get the game on and played today and should be applauded for that.
Thanks to Alan for racing back to set up the pitch and Robyn as always for chipping in and helping. Alan again for a brilliant refereeing display as always, and to Dave B for running the line.
Lastly well done girls for a tough battling performance today, Nottingham Utd are a very good side and we took what few chances came our way.
Really proud of you all girls.
Opp. Managers Player : Katie W
Managers Player : Ash
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