Squad:
Merryn Kelby
Jan Richardson
JT Thompson
Paul Archer
Steve Bavage-Crowson
Judith Jagger
Jason Fullman
Strollers 1:3 Harborough Hornets
Right from the off the Hornets couldn’t get out their own half, and that was because of good close marking by the strollers. Merryn then got into a bit of space, was fed the ball and hit the first shot, which was very well saved by the Hornets keeper. Soon after Jan engineered an opening and her well struck shot, just flew over the bar. Strollers continued pushing hard and the Hornets had not been out of their half with 6 minutes gone.
However, the first time the Hornets did get out of their own half there was a tackle by Paul, on the edge of the box, where he unfortunately missed the ball and caught the man. So a penalty was awarded, and Paul was sent off for 5 minutes. The penalty was well converted, giving keeper Steve no chance and it was one nil to the Hornets.
The Hornets confidence grew and being a man down, it was all hands to the pump, but the four remaining outfield Strollers did their best to keep them at bay. The Hornets did continue to get more chances however they either fluffed them or Steve saved them.
With about 2 minutes to go in the first half the Hornets were attacking and a shot struck the corner of the crossbar and came back into play and Jan was adjudged to just have her leading foot in the area and the ref awarded a second penalty. This was well taken, and again gave Steve no chance of saving it, so they were 2 - 0 up.
The Strollers did mount further attacks with a decent strike that just went wide coming from JT. Right at the end of the half a pass by the Strollers went astray, ending up with the Hornets and a decent strike flew into the far left of the goal, so 3 - 0 at half time.
The Second half started and saw the Strollers surging forward, with a great shot by Paul which was well saved by the Hornets keeper and very soon after JT had a good shot, but it just missed the goal. The Strollers were rallying and starting to get on top with another good shot by JT on the right but it was well saved by the keeper.
The Hornets did counter attack but there was some great defending tackles by Judith which helped to keep the scores the same. The Strollers then had a surge forward and created a decent chance from 15 yards out and JT took it well so it finished 3 - 1 to the Hornets.
Stamford Strollers 2:2 Leverington Oranges
The Strollers were well into their stride for the second game and mounted their first attack straight from kick off, forcing Leverington backwards and constantly looking dangerous. A couple of minutes later there was an excellent move which culminated in a sweet back pass to Merryn, who was about 18 yards out and belted the ball past the flailing keeper to go 1 - 0 up.
The Strollers momentum continued with Judith joining the attack and she had a shot that was blocked. There was another great shot from Merryn from about 15 yards out. At this point the Strollers were keeping the ball well and passing it sweetly. Merryn also worked another shot in this passage of play that hit the side netting. Leverington countered and Judith continued defending well and went up pitch and had another shot that was saved by the keeper. Jan also joined in the fun and hit a powerful shot that went into the side netting, so it was 1 - 0 to the Strollers, as the half time whistle blew.
The second half started as the first ended with the Strollers on the attack and right away had a chance on the edge of the box but missed the target. Paul also went on a great dribble and run, but his shot just went wide. Leverington countered and a mistake by the defence led to a goal by Leverington. So it was then 1 -1.
The goal had given Leverington a lift and their confidence grew, they were attacking more determinedly and Jan, Judith, Paul and JT were defending resolutely and hitting Leverington on the break, and a good forward move saw Paul hit a good shot that was well saved. Leverington countered and pushed the Strollers back and on the edge of the box, Judith had to make a crunching last ditch tackler on the edge of the box, which downed both players but Judith was the first player up. Steve in goal then took a quick goal kick and hit the ball out, but it was intercepted by a Leverington forward who then slammed the ball into the back of the net to make it 2 - 1. Strollers flew up pitch from the kick off and caused an infringement on the Leverington area and a penalty was instantly given. Merryn stepped up and again slotted the ball home to make it 2 - 2 and Strollers C go away with a point.
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