After heavy rain on Friday it was a pleasant and uplifting surprise to arrive at Haslingfield to find it bathed in sunshine. Pre-match, with a helicopter circling overhead, Mike and Odi just about avoided being caught up in a police operation against hare coursing in a neighbouring field, clearly keen to get into the action following the team's own brand of Hare hunting the previous week. However it was a different team in orange that provided today's opposition and a significantly different game developed.
Comberton had come unstuck against us in a pre-season friendly and had started the season getting on the wrong side of some close matches. Back under the stewardship of their coach Cieran they worked hard from the start, harrying the light blues and trying to threaten our defence. The game ebbed and flowed, back and forth, end to end, exciting stuff. Inka had a shot saved, Comberton earned a corner. Tyler and Louise were defending well and Skye was called into action early. Emily intercepted another attack close to the visitors box, her clearance catching Tyler in the face who retired to let her nose-bleed dry up, Simi taking her place in the back three. At the other end Abigail found Inka with a looping ball whose reverse shot was saved by the Crusaders keeper. Stortford couldn't find the move to take the lead and were having to concentrate to keep Comberton at bay.
A change now, Tia and Abby replacing Faye and Ellie-Mae. There was almost an immediate impact as Scarlett put Tia through but again the attempt was rebuffed. The game was heading to half-time with the scores level.
No changes for the start of the second period, though Stortford were starting to get on top now. Ten minutes in and the deadlock was broken when Abigail picked out Scarlett from a throw who jinked beautifully into the box and shot home for the lead. Abigail and Louise took a rest, Lauren joining the returning Tyler. All the players from both teams were working hard with the result still in the balance, though the shot count was remaining in the light blues favour. Simi took a rest, Ellie-Mae now returning and Stortford were in the hunt for a second, a particularly nice move starting from a throw-in from Lauren, returned to her by Tia, Lauren then crossing to Inka who laid back to Scarlett, her shot well saved and behind for a corner. Inka sent the ball in, Comberton cleared to Ellie-Mae in space who surged forward and picked her spot with what is fast becoming a trademark powerful shot. A two goal lead now secured, a wave of relief spread along the touchline. Emily retired and Faye returned for a final few minutes that saw Abby hit the post before being pulled back for offside minutes. Stout defending was required as Comberton mounted a series of attacks, nearly rewarded with a goal when Skye almost had a Rob Green moment, a divot diverting a comfortable collection that thankfully slipped by the post.
A vastly different result than from the pre-season friendly, but hard work and dedication to the cause from the girls and two great goals from Scarlett and Ellie-Mae achieved a result that takes us through to the next round and a home draw against Sawtry in November.
Team: Skye, Tyler, Emily (c), Louise, Ellie-Mae, Inka, Scarlett, Abigail, Faye
Subs: Simi, Tia, Abby, Lauren
Scorers: Scarlett, Ellie-Mae
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