Match Report - ANDOVER NEW STREET - 07 Oct 2023

Frustration On The Slopes.

The final match of the teams’ cup group took them to the awkward pitch of Andover New Street. Unavailable this week were Lily and Jess who was forced to pull out late with the recurrence of an ankle injury.

The hosts made the better start and made clear their intentions, getting the ball from back to front as quickly as possible. The team stemmed the early tide and 5 minutes in a clear handball in the area gave the girls’ the chance to take the lead, Emilia taking the responsibility, stroking the ball wide of the home goalkeeper (0-1).

The scores were tied on 10 minutes, a through ball dispatched by the pacy centre forward (1-1). The home teams’ threat was a real one, always looking to utilise the pace up front but Wimborne had threats of their own. An end to end game this one and within minutes of the home team missing an open goal, Emilie worked an opening for Izzy to take aim and fire into the far corner of the net (1-2). Now well on top the team pushed for another, Emilia volleying just wide and then thwarted by a smart block by the home Gk. The best passage of play looked certain to increase the lead, back to front passing giving Emilia another chance but unable to find the target. With the half time whistle approaching the home teams’ predictable but affective football set Freya away again. Her finish taking the teams level into the break (2-2).

HT 2-2

Another slow start to the second half, Andover piling on the early pressure. Esme’s superb point blank save kept parity to the scoreline and when she was beaten, Charlotte cleared a goal bound effort off the line. The team weathered the early flow and started to get on top of their opposition. Centrally, Laila worked her socks off to give added protection to Eva and Charlotte. Sophie, Maddie and Lila generally shut down any attacks from the widths and the girls’ started to grind out chances at the other end although unable to get a clear shot on goal. With the team well on top, they were again caught by a ball in behind, Lila harshly judged to have pulled the strikers shirt in the penalty box. The spot kick awarded, Esme got a strong hand to the ball but unable to prevent the goal (3-2). With 15 minutes left to dig themselves out, they left nothing on the pitch but could not find the breakthrough, just lacking the little bit of composure needed in front of goal. Emily’s continuous raids down the right hand side a real feature but the girls’ were unable to capitalise, Rhianna, Meg, Izzy and Olivia all having slight openings but unable to get clean strokes away.

FT:

Andover 3

WTFC 2

POM: Emily (A constant thorn in the side of the home side)

Summary:

A close end to end game. Although the team were not at their best today, the loss still felt harsh. In front twice they struggled with the pace of the home attack at times and to stop the supply into them.

A shame it took a very controversial penalty to split the teams at the end.