Derry Hill United News

Sunday, February 27, 2005

Highworth Juniors 2 DHUFC Girls U-10s 5
Highworth Juniors 2 Phoenix Under-10 5 (HT Highworth 2 Phoenix 2)
Player Of Match: Alison

After a five week break it was back to WCWGL League action for the Under-10 girls today. A return encounter with our friends from Highworth followed our last match which was also against Highworth at Springfields School. On that occassion we had lost 1-4 after dominating much of the game. We went into the game knowing that 7 points from our last 3 games would make us League Champions, but as our 3 remaining games were against the top 3 teams that was going to be a tall order. It was a bright sunny morning, but bitingly cold, the pitch was quickly thawing in the sun.

For the first time in a few games we reverted to a 3-2-1 formation to try to ensure that we did not concede too many goals. Alison won the toss and took our pre-match advise and elected to kick down the sloping pitch and with the advantage of the wind behind us.

The first half started with Derry Hill dominating much of the play and we deservedly took the lead with Alison's first goal of the afternoon, which resulted from a corner taken by Elsie. However, against the run of play Highworth soon equalised, the goal resulting from our inability to get the ball away from our goal effectively. Sara replaced Ellie halfway through the half in defence and made som good tackles and interceptions in one of her rare outfield appearances. Hannah was coping well in goal but struggling to get the ball downfield once she had possession. Towards the end of the half the girls scored their second goal, again from Alison and the coaching team were well satisfied with a 2-1 lead, and encouraging the girls to concentrate and maintain the lead until half-time. Unfortunately it was not to be, Highworth scoring with almost the last kick of the half.

In the second half Sara replaced Hannah in goal and Hannah moved into defence. Kicking up the slope and into the wind we envisaged a difficult 25 minutes, and for a long period the score remained at 2-2. But our breakaways were always dangerous with Alison, Elsie and Hazel all having chances. But it was Alison who broke the deadlock again with her hat-trick goal running at Highworth's excellent keeper and completely fooling her with a great lob into the top of the net. Alison was fast running out of steam with her non-stop running, and we were in the throes of bringing her off when she managed to twist and turn into the area to score her fourth of the game. Immediately we took her off and replaced her with Hannah, and pushed Hazel up as a striker. But it was Elsie who had been subdued all morning who suddenly found inspiration and energy to claim the 5th goal and wrap the game up and earn a well-deserved 3 points.

An excellent and somewhat unexpected result and performance. After a long lay-off we did look a bit rusty at times, but the girls battled well, and our defence coped with everything today, Katie H and Katie S once again rock solid, with great support from Ellie, Sara or Hannah. Hazel had another all-action match and contributed reatly to the result. Hannah played well in goal in the 1st half, her, but we will need to work on the kicks/throws. Sara kept a clean sheet in the 2nd half but still had to make some stops and looked confident with her handling. Elsie had one of her subdued games, but a late goal was a good reward for a good 2nd half performance. Alison notonly scored 4 goals, but had countless other attempts, and ran herself into the ground.

Team: Alison, Sara, Katie H, Katie S, Elsie, Hazel, Hannah & Ellena

This result leaves confirms that we can not finish lower than 3rd, and we still have the chance of winning if we can get 4 points from our last 2 matches. next saturday away to Keynsham who we beat 2-1 back in November. If Keynsham win they will be Champions, but if we win or draw we can still do it. Although Swindon Town could still tie with us on points, we would stay above them as we beat them twice during the season.

League table
Keynsham 11 7 1 3 20 10 22
Badgers 11 6 3 2 42 16 21
DHUFC 10 6 0 4 26 25 18
Highworth 12 5 2 5 21 25 17
STLFC 11 4 3 4 25 17 15
Spitfires 12 4 2 6 9 17 14
FC Chip 11 1 1 9 10 43 4

Flames v Melksham Park

Flames 5 Melksham Park 0 (HT Flames 2 Melksham Park 0)
Man Of Match: Dan T

A re-arranged fixture to accommodate our Club visit to Reading FC on Saturday 19th saw the Flames at King George V Park in Melksham on a bitterly cold winter's afternoon, on a sodden pitch, with a howling wind and the odd snow flurry. Apart from this it was perfect conditions to play football!

After losing the all important toss, the Flames were challenged by their opponents to defend against a strong wind in the first half. This they did admirably with lots of effort, resolve and discipline in their shape. Most of the half was played in midfield with the Flames often breaking forward with a run on goal. This was a great effort on their part given the strength of the head-wind, heavy pitch and sodden ball. Ali E was rarely troubled in goal, but when asked, was well positioned to stop the ball.

The second half was a more sedate affair with the boys worn down by the effort of running in such heavy ground during the first half. By this time the wind had died considerably, offering us less assistance in getting the ball forward than Melksham had in the first 30 minutes. Despite this, the Flames played the match very much on the front foot, in the opposition half, the stats demonstrating this through Sam C activity, now in goal, touching the ball just once in the second half.

An awful goal area and some stout, numbers behind the ball, defending by Melksham, kept the score down but did not prevent the Flames from scoring a further three, and, more importantly, keeping their first clean sheet of the season.

Some positives from a game played in tough conditions:-

• Great shape at opposition goal-kicks
  
• Organization and discipline at attacking corners - always looked dangerous
  
• Good width and depth during the first half
  

Ashley W
Tenacious tackling and great effort to get forward from Left Wing back

Sam W and George H
Held the Centre of defence well, took up very good positions and made some telling tackles stopping the opposition breaking through the middle.

Dan T
Held his position at Right Wing back well. Supported attacks down the right hand side when able.

Ryan G
Looked very strong as the 'Stopper' in front of the back four. Some great running to get forward and commitment to support the Centre backs when we came under pressure.

Ali E and Sam C
Great commitment to the team by spending a half each in goal.

Flames v Chippenham Rangers

Chippenham Rangers 1 Flames 4 (HT Chippenham Rangers 0 Flames 1)
Man Of Match: Sam C

A super team game from the Flames, building on last week's good performance. The defence looked very strong, keeping Rangers well away from our goal, which was confidently guarded throughout by Adam V. Solid across the middle of the park in midfield, we really worked hard to win loose ball in this game. Always looked dangerous when coming forward with plenty of options being offered by the front three.

This really was a triumph for teamwork and player understanding so I'm not going to call out individual performances, suffice to say that we positioned ourselves well when off the ball and looked to move forward quickly when we had it.

Great play boys, you took your play to the next level. The challenge now is to keep it there.

Things to work on:-

• Fill the centre when the centre man leaves it (support and close)
• Last pass, sometimes a look up and pass is better than a shot
• Throw-ins, need to go line and long, not short and inside