Today was our first home game at St Antony’s Primary School and what a great game it turned out to be. All of the coaches and players went into the game with extreme confidence, thinking this might be an easy game – we were all wrong.
Lisbon started the game well with Whitby scoring a right foot volley with only two minutes on the clock from a cross that deflected off a Unicorn defender (1-0). Unicorn fought back straight away and after some unlucky defending Laura scored an own goal on six minutes (1-1). It was constant pressure from Lisbon for the next ten minutes, and it soon paid off – some great passing allowed Whitby on the right wing time to cross the ball into the box, this cross fooled all the players and the goalie and it went straight into the net (2-1). Lisbon continued to play well and this time the ball was played down the left wing and, as the cross came in, a Unicorn player handled in the box – penalty! Whitby stepped up and completed her hat trick with only thirty minutes played (well done, 3-1).
Lisbon continued to keep the ball well, and Hanifa scored a well taken goal (4-1). Unicorn found it hard to clear the ball as it kept coming down the wings, once again the ball was passed down the left and another great cross was handled in the box – penalty. This decision didn’t go down well with the Unicorn team or supporters. Hanaan stepped up to take the penalty and she missed, nooo (unlucky Hanaan- she says the wind put her off). The penalty miss lifted the Unicorn team and one minute later they managed to score their second goal with 34 minutes played (4-2). The rest of the half finished with both teams missing chances to score.
Half time: 4-2. The second half started with Hanaan in net with April and Beth both starting, and Whitby and Joely as substitutes. Unicorn started the half stronger than Lisbon, and some fantastic play by their number nine allowed them to score their third (4-3) and fourth goals (4-4). By now the coaches were extremely nervous and so was the team, but we never give up ever. Ria pulled away to the left and delivered a great cross only for April to miss the ball by inches (unlucky) which denied us that all important goal to retake the lead. Lisbon continued to pile the pressure on Unicorn with an outstanding second half performance from Fred the red, but the Unicorn keeper had a great game, making two amazing saves. Another substitution was made, changing Whitby for Frankie on the right wing and it worked, making a slight gap up front for Jess to receive a great through ball on 55 minutes, fight off two Unicorn defenders and score a great goal – YESSS! (5-4). This was Jess’s most important goal of the season so far and all the Lisbon supporters were jumping for joy (great goal).
It was now time for Lisbon to defend which they all did extremely well, led by their captain, Fred. We soaked up a bit of pressure as Unicorn tried the ball over the top but by now we had realised what they were trying to do. As Unicorn put pressure on the Lisbon defence, we managed to clear the ball and win a corner. Whitby stepped up and took a great corner, allowing Fred to make a great run into the box and head in the ball on 65 minutes (6-4).
Full time: 6-4. Today was our hardest game of the season and the whole team showed great character and determination to beat a very talented Unicorn team.
Well done girls!
Dave, Pat and Claire.
P.S. I thought the Ref was excellent.
Goals: 1st half – Whitby x3, Hanifa, 2nd half – Jess, Fred
Player of the match: Jess
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