Penarth 2nds v Gowerton

Gowerton v Penarth 1 – 3 Last Saturday saw us travel to Penarth without our strikers and it was tough. The first half saw us a bit panicky, we didn’t have a formation and were just not marking our players. Penarth’s first goal came from straight in front of the goal, they were bound to score, Amy couldn’t have done anymore. It wasn’t a great goal, but a goal none the less.

I don’t know what was wrong with us. Moral was dipping and we were becoming more and more quiet. Normally we would come back fighting but we continued to struggle with ‘upping the ante. Penarth broke and were in our D again, a cross was placed was from out wide and I swear that I thought I could leave the ball as my player wouldn’t get to it, wrong! She got her stick on it, and it was 2-0 to Penarth. Some dodgy decisions and another goal saw the first half finish 3-0 to Penarth.

Half time talk; it was the usual talk, where everybody wants to put their 50pence in. We didn’t have long as it was a quick turn around (apparently the neighbours aren’t best pleased if the gates aren’t locked by 5pm, what a luxury to have your pitch secure. Note to self- I must ask Penarth how that feels!). Normally I don’t condone negative team talks but on this occasion, we couldn’t fathom up anything positive but we definitely knew what we were doing wrong and what we had to do to try and pull this back.

This team talk worked! Second half saw us gain our structure and our standard GLHC pitch dominance. We were back! No player was left unmarked, and no ball was left not tackled. We were switching the ball through the back and using the ‘one, two’ balls that we do best. We were in their D and fighting! We had a strike at their goal and it was stopped by one their players on the line…

PENALTY STROKE!!!!

This is where my vice captaincy came into play. I could hear our beloved Captain shouting for poor Alison to take the Penalty. I wasn’t having that, so I spoke up ‘Oh captain, take it yourself!!!’ I had every ounce of confidence in her (I think). Up she went. Captain Sanders v Penarth Goalie, one on one.

Whistle…

Goal!

Text book penalty!! Nice one captain.

We carried on playing with our heads high, hoping that we could get some more goals but we just could not finish. We won the second half but lost the game overall. Another honest fight by Gowerton Ladies and all of you who played should be proud of yourselves.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank our captain Rachel Sanders for all the work that she does for us. On Saturday she played up front, despite not being comfortable up there and took one for the team when taking the penalty. For that reason I would like to give my vice captains player to our captain Rachel Sanders.

Final score – Gowerton 1 – 3 Penarth.