Match Report - ANDOVER NEW STREET - 20 Apr 2024

Match report

Tough on Town!

The team travelled to Andover to play a much improved Andover team, a lot of water under the bridge since the 8-1 win in the home fixture. The hosts were picking up points and a standout win over Fulham suggested a tough game for the girls. No Laila, Megan or Jess, in came Emily for her debut for the team and Chloe available for a second appearance.

If anyone was unsure of the Andover threat, they found out with less than a minute played, Esme’s crossbar rattled from a direct attack. This blew the cobwebs away and the girls played themselves into the game, their patient build up play rewarded with only 10 mins played, Charlotte playing in Izzy to fire high into the net (0-1). Scoring goals had been tough recently but like London buses another came a minute later, Emilia’s shot from 25yards surprising the home GK, squirming out of her grasp and into the goal (0-2). Izzy again went close, firing into the side netting but the first corner of the game was to reduce the arrears, the home player reacting first to a loose ball in the area (1-2). 24 minutes in and parity resumed, a communication mixup allowing an easy finish (2-2). The teams’ traded blows for the remainder of the half with the hosts looking particularly dangerous, long diagonal passes and runs in behind but they went in level at the break.

HT 2-2

Izzy seemed the most likely scorer for the team, dangerous when around the penalty area, she again went close early in the second half, her shot well saved. A strong header from another corner flipped the scoreline and gave the home team the lead on 55mins (3-2). Esme saved well from a well struck free kick to keep Wimborne in the game but the team were causing problems for Andover also, playing through midfield but just lacking that killer pass on a difficult, quick surface. With only 8 minutes remaining Emilie picked out Izzy in the channel, this time there was no doubt, she held off her defender, cut inside and slotted the equalising goal (3-3). Unfortunately for a hard working Wimborne team the scoring was not finished, the continual threat had been the home team looking to draw players in, play quick and long in behind the defence and this same move was to determine the result, in the final minutes a well struck shot over Esme gave the hosts the lead again (4-3). The girls pushed again, Izzy having a final chance but it was not to be, the team on the wrong side of a tight scoreline.

FT:

Andover 4

WTFC. 3

POM: Emily (a difficulty match for her debut but still a superb performance, aggressive when necessary, calm on the ball)

Summary:

A tough run for the girls but they are still plugging away and asking questions of their opposition. A bit harsh to have nothing to show against a really awkward team to play. A good result is certainly not far away!