Match Report - ANDOVER NEW STREET - 16 Dec 2023

***Pauls Match Report??***

Points In The Sack For Xmas!

The team welcomed Andover New Street to The New Cuthbury, back on home soil for the first time in six weeks. It took penalty kicks to separate the two sides only seven days ago with Wimborne unable to capitalise on a host of goal scoring chaces. The girls were looking to secure their first 3 points of the season.

The host team were out of the blocks quickly, Emilia taking the Xmas reigns, striking the crossbar, a wicked cross and a free kick narrowly wide before on 17 minutes letting fly from 25yards, over the goalkeeper for the opening goal (1-0). Megan entered proceedings with 25 minutes played, pulling free of her defender to received Olivia’s pass and finish precisely with her first touches in the game (2-0). Andovers’ reaction was a good one, within two minutes pegging a goal back, good reactions in the penalty area and a finish just below the crossbar (2-1). Far from being rattled, the girls brushed the goal against away and went again, Megan’s next effort shook the crossbar, Maddie’s well struck effort was tipped away and Emilia’s corner struck the far post. The visiting team weathered the storm for a while, a period of sustained pressure tested Wimborne’s defencive structure but they were in no mood to concede again. Against the run of play Wimborne added a third goal, a harmless looking cross that was fumbled and Meg pouncing to slide the loose ball into the net (3-1). As the clock ticked into added on time, mainly due to Esme’s wardrobe malfunction, Olivia crashed a ‘Liv special’ from all of 40 yards over the GK to give the girls proper breathing space at the break (4-1).

HT 4-1

The girls were in no mood to relinquish this lead today. Playing slightly deeper but looking to break quickly, it proved a tough half for the visiting defence. Within 10mins of the restart Izzy’s free kick was deflected from the GK, Megan again first to fire home (5-1). Izzy was rewarded for her hard work, chipping a lovely finish for the sixth (6-1) before the Emilia show. Adding to a right footed strike in the first half, two counter attacks and two clinical left footed low drives to give Emilia a well deserved hat-trick (7-1)(8-1).

FT:

WTFC 8

Andover 1

POM: Emilia (a constant thorn in the side of the visitors and 3 wonderful strikes)

Summary:

This superb result was built on defensive foundations. Maddie, Lila and Sophie were tested by good players on the flanks, Eva and Charlotte again dominant at the heart of things, Laila, Bay and Jess the engine room with Carly working overtime allowing Emilie, Emilia, Liv, Izzy and Meg to carve out the goals. Between the sticks, Esme fielded awkward crosses and shots well making goalkeeping look easy….which it isn’t!

Probably flattered a little bit by the scoreline but a great win to see out the year! Plenty to look forward to in the New Year as this team continues to improve.

Congrats team!!!