Andover New Street vs Corfe Mullen United Girls
5 - 2
05 February 2022 · Junior Premier League<br>JPL Warriors
Away league match played on 05 February 2022.
Kicked off at 10:30 AM
5-2
vs Andover New Street
Away league match
Juniors Show Fight…Eventually!
The team headed to Andover with a squad of 13, no Bobbi or Faye available and Carly being the regular Covid casualty for the weekend. Lucy donned the red and white stripes for the first time in her debut game for the team.
Probably the best way to describe the first quarter was torrid! The home team were quickly out of the traps in a strong opening that piled pressure onto a Juniors side that could not get a foothold in the game. The team looked tired and fragile in a first period and four goals were shipped. Quick and skilful wide players would have been a struggle for any team but added to a really sluggish start by the girls, realistically any hopes of winning the match had all but disappeared. A second period saw the introduction of Lucy and a reshuffle of the pack. A much better 20 minutes for the team although another goal was conceded (5-0) giving a horrible looking score line at the break.
HT 5-0
The girls had been way off it in the first half and had paid for it, deservedly so. They could not change what had gone before, only what was on front of them. Minds were cleared at half time and a very different team came out for the second half. Dangerous wide players were shut down and it would be Juniors that would show their fight and determination. Defensively, the door was shut and midfield control was gained, kicking of the ball was replaced by passing of the ball and the goal chances started to come. Emilie and Brooke both went close before the reward of a goal, Brooke linking with Megan who showed strength to hold off her defender, swivel and sweep the ball home (5-1). From Summer’s through ball, Meg finished in similar fashion to give the team a deserved second goal (2-0). If it hadn’t been for a very good home goalkeeper the score line could well have been reduced further.
FT 5-2.
Summary: Unfortunately, as in any team game, sometimes hits have to be taken for players to improve. Very much second best in the first half, the girls could have completely folded, dropped heads and taken a real hiding. They did not, levels were lifted and pride was re-installed. Millie was better protected, Layla, Mya and Lila solid in the heart of defence, Lauren and Annabel shut down the right hand flank and Eva put and end to constant threat from the left. Summer, Lucy and Abbie got the team playing in the right direction, Emilie and Megan threatened constantly and Brooke’s work rate (also in the first half) made for an uneasy half for the hosts. Moving forwards, lessons must be learned, the switch must be thrown at the beginning of a match, not halfway through. It must be said however that Andover were incredibly quick in that first period and fully deserved their lead.
The team showed enough in the second half to suggest a good run maybe ahead of them…..if they can wake up before 11am on a Saturday morning!!