After two tricky away fixtures and three-points gained, three points dropped, we needed to start our home campaign with purpose. We set out with an attacking line-up and a few experiments thrown in to keep even the players guessing. It almost backfired when a few lapses in concentration and a little nerves gave Fleet a few great chances. Fortunately, the Fleet strikers squandered these, giving Sports time to settle.
A few quality combinations involving the impressive Orton, the vibrant Asira and the classy Mosley had the watchers in good voice. Then, while Fleet struggled to contain the dribbling of Asira, they took their eyes off of Plummer, who made no mistake with her first of the game; 1-0.
Later KDA caught up with the game’s pace, linked the midfield with Benjamin, and Sports found a balance to their threat. Some excellent attacking phases allowing both fullbacks up the pitch caused the visitors a host of problems. It was Mosley who struck next, not known for her pace, yet frequently gets a chance to face down a GK, remarkably cunning, and it was a cunning finish over the onrushing keeper that the defender eventually helped on. Mosley would add another shortly after. A cross from right back Lander found our left-back Orton, who caused the keeper issues, and Mosley did what Mosely does; 3-0.
The pressure led to a few corners and a chance to show what we have been working on, but we couldn’t quite find the right delivery for the first few. Fleet defended the first delivery well each time. Finally, after a strong delivery from Acott, the first clearance was not enough to prevent the lively Plummer from poking home at the second, maybe the third attempt for a scrappy fourth of the game; 4-0.
There seemed no way back for the visitors, but they kept coming, and like the first phases of the game, they started to threaten before the break. We sat back a little and soaked up the pressure, but a short back pass in the long grass held up to allow the Fleet striker to slot home against the stranded Traves; 4-1 halftime.
The second half became very much about the next goal. Fleet went for it with additional strikers, and there were half chances at both ends. The breakthrough eventually came, KDA matching the decisive run of Acott with a measured pass. Despite a slightly heavy touch, Acott was athletic and composed to find the far bottom corner; 5-1.
Taylor, Thompson and West entered the game and slotted straight in without the team losing momentum. Thompson, can’t buy a goal, but looking like a more robust prospect this season. Taylor, came agonisingly close to finding the top corner from a distance.
The debutant Gubb was finding her way into the game and, looking comfortable, created the next clear chance. Unfortunately, Plummer couldn’t convert for a hat-trick. It was then Acott, now with a taste for a goal, who got the next. An intelligent 1-2 with Knapton, got released for what would look like a neater duplicate of the earlier finish; 6-1
All the play was now down the right side. Knapton at fullback covering ground to cover both ends of the pitch. Knapton played in West, who used her strength to beat the defender and then fired across the box with a clean connection, causing the defender to panic and slide the ball into the empty goal. Great work from the young striker; 7-1, final score.
Rory went to Taylor for an amusing stumble in the middle of the park, well off the play. Tilly will tell you there is a pesky molehill still there from the last game.
Managers’ and players’ player went to KDA for a great all-round game; if you do the basics right, it makes you stand out. The young box-to-box player is finding her form now with some good back-to-back performances.
