Month: October 2016

It was a draw this week for the ladies but the energy after the game was obvious.

Dinefwr had the first push back but in the first 10 minutes the ladies were strong and showing dominance on the pitch. Defence worked well using short sharp passes between them which enabled us to get the ball out wide and drive down the line. Despite this effort and awesome team work up front the ladies were unable to get a goal.

After the first 10 minutes Dinefwr started to find their feet and become the more dominate team on the pitch. This put pressure on the ladies which effected play. We were unable to find our structure but, despite this, the ladies still demonstrated awesome play, yet something just wasn’t working for us. Despite the fight Dinefwr managed to score a fumbled goal.  The ladies were determined to get some back in the first half but something just wasn’t clicking.

After a constructive half time talk and the decision to change formation from 3 up front to 2, gave the ladies extra support in midfield. This had a positive effect on the game and lifted and our spirits. The whole game play changed from our end. We were determined and gutsy for the win. Despite defence working hard and ensuring all players were marked Dinefwr managed to fight for their second goal. The ladies were determined to get a goal and this showed in their fight and positive play. After well-structured team work the moment we had been fighting for came… Paige Hobbs crossed the ball into Nicola Tucker on P spot blessing us all with the graceful sound of the back board. The uproar from the girls made us even hungrier for a win. The ladies started to become the more dominant team and show their presence on the pitch moral was lifted and positively inspired the ladies to drive harder at Dinefwr. And that they did. Ria Cannon received the ball P spot and secured us our second goal. At this point we erupted with enthusiasm. The ladies leapt up in the air. We deserved this! The ladies continued to show their drive and determination right up to the full time whilst. We did not deserve to lose that game and we made sure of that by picking up the pieces from the first half and nailing it in the second.

 

My captain’s player this week has to go to a defensive player who worked solidly thought the whole game. Her tackling was strong and she read the game well. She putting Dinefwr’s forwards under pressure forcing their errors. My captain’s player this week is Nia Morgans.

 

Final score Gowerton 2-2 Dinefwr

The beginning of the season gets better with another win under our belt putting us second in the league on gaol difference.

Winning the toss and having first push back put the ladies on an attacking foot from the start. With the ball being fed from the midfield out wide to the forwards enabled the Ladies drive down the line putting pressure on Penarth’s defence. Even though Penarth demonstrated some strong defensive play the ladies were able to work constructively and feed the ball into the D. Demonstrating some fantastic individual skill Jessica Williams was able to get a cracking strike on goal which put the Ladies 1 – 0 up after only 5 minutes of play. This boosted moral within the team but the ladies knew in order to maintain the lead they needed to demonstrate robust team work.

After the restart Penarth managed to work the ball into their attacking 25 yards. However, due to our solid defensive line the ladies were able to get play back into their attacking 25 which resulted in another goal from Jessica Williams, in the 7^th minute, with a dog leg around the keeper!

The ladies continued to demonstrate constructive play throughout the first half which resulted in another 2 goals from myself. The first came in the 17^th minute from a ball being fed into the D from the right. This enabled me to do a reverse stick hit which resulted in a goal top left corner. The second goal came from a short corner straight strike were I was able to secure a goal bottom left corner.

After our half time talk the ladies were ready to continue outstanding play and were gutsy for the win. With Penarth taking the restart the ladies started off on the back foot. However, this didn’t faze them and all players were able to maintain their composure and demonstrate fantastic play. The defence, despite being put under pressure, were able to remain calm and feed the ball back into the midfields and up to the forwards. Despite this the ladies were unable to secure their 5^th goal.

Penarth during the second half attempted to become more dominate. However the ladies didn’t allow this to happen.  Amy Hansen remained strong in goal and was able to maintain a clean sheet. Defence demonstrated outstanding communication as well as smooth switching across the pitch, which gave the midfield space to run and feed the ball forward.

I couldn’t be prouder of the ladies. The impeccable team work that they have demonstrated already this season is second to none, the positivity and support all the girls have for each other is overwhelming. Each and every one of the girls is demonstrating solid team work skills and I feel this is a credit to the phenomenal coaching from Jayde Piontecki. Each week, due to these exact reasons, my choice of captain’s player gets harder and harder.

However, after much thought my captain’s player goes to two ladies this week as I couldn’t spilt my decision. Both showed excellent individual skill during the whole duration of the game and both made a positive impact on play.

My first player showed strength within defence. She was able to maintain her composure when put under pressure from Penarth, demonstrating outstanding individual skill which enabled herself to get out of sticky situations. She was also confident to take the ball herself running it up the line. Not only did she show excellent play but her positivity and commands on the pitch are inspiring. She is able to give direction to fellow players and communicate effectively which impacts on play.

My second player was able to put Penarth under pressure up front, showing off her impeccable skill. How this player manoeuvres herself around players in the D is remarkable. Confidence oozes from her when she plays making a massive Impact on the pitch.

 

My captain’s players this week go to Alison Jones and Jessica Williams.

 

Final score Gowerton 4-0 Penarth 2nds.

 

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Couldn’t have asked for a better start to the 2016/17 season. The ladies all put in an outstanding effort throughout the whole game.

After a well-structured and focused warm up the ladies were ready to take on Brecon for the win.  The ladies started off on the back foot as Brecon won the toss for first push back. Despite this the ladies put pressure on Brecon forcing them to take a defensive role.  After demonstrations of exceptional team work and individual skill the ladies secured their first goal which came from the cracking strike of Katie Saunderson.  This lifted the spirits of the ladies, however they kept their composure and continued to press.  Accurate feeding from the midfields up to the forwards allowed the ladies to get into Brecon’s defending circle which resulted in a second goal from Cath Fuge.

Again spirits were lifted but the ladies still knew they had to work for the win. After the restart there were a series of short corners against Gowerton but defence held strong and worked hard displaying exceptional defensive skills resulting in a turn over and a break down the line for Gowerton.

After several shots on Brecon’s goal Gowerton secured a short corner.  The strike was taken but Brecon had a foot on the line resulting in a penalty flick for the girls. Cath Fuge stepped up to the challenge and secured Gowerton’s third goal by putting the ball top left corner. As the game continued, Gowerton continued to press and before the half time whistle, Ria Cannon was able to secure a fourth goal for the ladies.

After a positive half time talk with constructive feedback.  The girls were eager to get back out on the pitch and continue their journey to victory. It was our start, putting us on the front foot and in an attacking role.  Play continued at the same pace and standard as the first half with the girls working effectively as a team and with constructive use of communication to drive us forward.

It was visible that the girls started to tire but with regular substitutions being made the girls were able to keep the pace of the game consistent.  As play continued a foul was called against Gowerton in the middle of the pitch, which resulted in a green card (2 minute sin bin) for Cath Fuge for knocking the ball away.  This resulted in the girls losing a forward to cover the gaps in midfield taking on a more defensive role.

The girls continued to work constructively but despite several attempts on goal were unable to secure a fifth goal. Brecon however were able to secure their only goal by creating a 3 on 1 attack on Hannah Preuss.  As play continued fatigue started to kick in the girls continued to work exceptionally hard and did not give up the fight until the final whistle. After the game there was an amazing buzz amongst the girls and everyone was pleased and proud of the way in which they had played.

This week’s captain’s player could have gone to any of the girls as they all gave it 100% and worked exceptionally well. Defence had an outstanding game defending the goal till the end, like a solid wall. Tracey Simons, after returning from injury, had an outstanding first game back. However this week’s Captain’s player goes to a player whose style of play is phenomenal. Her grace and ball skill is second to none and the fact that she was able to keep her cool while being besieged by Brecon defence, which she successfully navigated her way of every time, was exceptional. Not only did she demonstrate excellent play but her encouragement toward her team members was uplifting and motivational. For these reason I would like to give Captain’s player to Katie Saunderson.

A goal and Captain’s player on your debut, not bad eh! But definitely well deserved.

 

Final Score Brecon 1 – 4 Gowerton