Today we faced the leading team in our comp and my word did the girls play their hearts out!
The match started on a positive note with us having most of the pressure up in the opposing area. Here we scored our first goal of the season courtesy of Lily T. Unfortunately the lead did not hold long with Basin having a runaway counter attack and finishing with a great goal.
Throughout the game Saige was playing fantastic, putting in crosses that could have easily ended up in with a finish into the goal. The opportunities she was creating were brilliant and for reward she finally put one in herself in the second half.
The game ended 2-5 but the score line did not reflect how the girls played. We had chances we missed and Basin seemed to finish every chance they got. We can’t deny they were a classy team with a superstar in their side, but the Milton girls held their own and played a great, well fought game.
Elsie has been put in a position she is not comfortable in with little complaints, and is playing beautifully. Her passing during the game was perfect. Lily T, Sienna and Emily had a great game too following in on the crosses that came in and making it back in defence. Claire, Sophie, Elle and Kaitlyn were solid in defence even when facing the best attackers we have come across yet. Paige is finding her feet more and more each game she plays and although she may not have the pace of Saige, the pressure she puts on the defenders was evitable forcing them to make mistakes constantly and allowing us to counter. Kate may be the smallest on the field, but her effort is always enormous. Lily B had a tough job and honestly 4 of the goals that went into her net were class, there was no way she could of saved them. She did however keep the score from creeping higher and kept giving her all, which is exactly what we ask from any keeper.
We were missing Ivy, Hayley and Chelsea and we are eager for their return!
The improvement from our first game is evident each game we rack up and I am very proud of how the girls are travelling and although we are yet to win a game. I believe they can get one across the line very, very shortly. As long as the girls keep going the way they are, trust each other and trust Nigel and myself, they will be a force come the next round of matches, if not sooner.
Bring on the local derby on Monday!