Down Grange vs BSLFC Res

It was off to Down Grange for the Reserves for some league action, while the Firsts were, unfortunately, were stood down due to safety issues at Chapel Gate.

It had been a few years since we had seen Down Grange but had many good games against them over the years.

Their results recently suggested we would be in for a good game especially being against the only team to take points off the team at the top this season.

We got off to a shaky start, 3 minutes in they found themselves clean through, fortunately for us they fired wide.

Thompson then found herself through from a good ball from Eden but could only fire wide too.

She would make no mistake with her next chance though. 7 minutes on the clock, and after some good work by Eden on left wing she was able to square it for Thompson to sweep in her first goal for us. 1-0

The response from Down Grange was almost instant, a loose pass in our midfield found their midfielder who played the ball out wide. Owen made the decision to rush out and the ball was placed into the far corner by the unmarked winger 1-1.

9 minutes we thought we had taken the lead when Eden got on to the end of a Thompson headed flick with a volley on the stretch, but the flag was up and it was quickly ruled out.

2 minutes later and we did have the lead. Curtin released Eden down the left again and she unselfishly squared again, this time for Lander to slide in and finish at close range 2-1

Eden got 1 herself 2 minutes after that, as she hurried the defence, she stole the ball and went through 1 on 1 finishing well from close range. 3-1

18 minutes and it was 4. Eden arriving late to a Knapton cross, took a touch and finished, just about, to make it 2 for her.

Orton then got her first assist ever as a long ball over the top was enough to encourage Lander to chase. She won the ball, and finished well into the far corner. 23 minutes 5-1

We were dominant and taking our chances well but got a bit complacent and started to over complicate the game while to their credit Down Grange continued to work hard.

Davies would find herself with a chance late in the first half but fired it over before just before the stroke of half time a corner for Down Grange presented them with a great opportunity that they could only put wide.

HT 5-1

The second half started as slowly as the first began, while we had a lot of possession our movement wasn’t creating enough space and despite the opposition fatigue they were organised enough that we needed a little extra.

The reintroduction of Eden in the second half seem to spark this, a cross from Eden on 68 was met by Curtin who was superbly tackled in front of goal before Thompson could only watch as her well struck follow up was blocked with some brave defending.

Then a moment magic from our youngest player, De Angelis won the ball on the half way line, ran into the Down Grange half, looked up for a cross from the corner of the box but with no support opted to shoot and lobbed the GK excellently to give us 6 and become Sports’ youngest ever scorer with her first goal for the senior team.

Knapton was still hunting for a goal and on 77minutes hit a good shot low across the GK who saved well but Edens willingness to run meant she was on hand to smash the rebound into the empty net for her Hat trick. 7-1

It was Knapton the creator again 4 minutes later, pressuring the defender in her box, she managed to get a toe on it which fortunately fell to Eden who knocked in our 8th from close range.

Down Grange were tired but there was time for one final nice touch for Sports. Curtin raced through with 3 minutes left, but was thwarted by a great tackle by the Down Grange GK just outside the box. With the goal at her mercy Wetton had the calmness to take a touch on to her stronger foot and finish from 20yds into the empty net between the recovering defenders for her first senior goal following a 6 week lay off after getting injured in our opening game of the season. Great to see two U16s from last season getting on the scoresheet in the same game. 9-1

The was a medical concern on the sideline with a couple of minutes to play so it was agreed to put an end to what had been a good-spirited match, albeit heavily one-sided at times.

?Players Player of the Match went to Irene Corredera Espejo for a good display in multiple positions (she also picked up Opposition player too) with honourable mentions for Eden, Curtin, and Wetton

?Managers player went to Abi Orton, despite our defence having a relatively comfortable day both Orton and Sims at right and left back, recycled the ball perfectly and Ortons support up the pitch was invaluable.

?Rory went to Meg Stacy who got confused with our new away kit colour (thank you Walker Wealth) and proceeded to tackle Knapton because in her words “she saw stripes and just went for it”