Derby Asterdale Ladies 3rds lose out to Amber Valley in friendly

We arrived at Willsthorpe in good spirits ready for a friendly game against Amber Valley.

Captain Rachel told us our positions and informed us it was a friendly but we were still to go out strong and try and win!

Amber Valley strolled onto the pitch five mins before play commenced with a team of about 16! They tactfully chose the goal not facing the sun and play started.

We started stongly, within the first 3 minutes Christina was in the attacking D, one on one with a defender, but unfortunately missing out on a goal.

The play soon shifted back towards our defending goal and amber valley were awarded their first short corner. They got a clean strike on goal but Megan casually kicked the ball away, saving it from reaching the corner of the goal.

There were some great runs up the pitch with the ball moving excellently between Emma, Molly and Christina. Defence was also strong with Annie and the new Tammy marking their players out of the game perfectly.

We were soon awarded our first short corner with Rachel H hitting out accurately and hard from the backline. I attempted a strike but unfortunately it was deflected off a Amber Valley defender.

A few minutes later we had our second short corner to which Rachel did an excellent, but lifted shot on goal, hitting a rather stunned Amber Valley player in the hand (which we later discovered caused the 'exploding finger' situation - we wish her a speedy recovery!)

Amber Valley attacked back strongly and after some frantic running and somewhat headless chicken defending, the got the ball in the back of the net. 1 - 0 to Amber Valley.

We fought back strongly with once again some excellent movement between the midfield and forward line. Molly passed the ball to Christina in the D who pushed it into the goal perfectly. 1-1!

(A somewhat hungover) Julie Ann strolled up at this point allowing us to have twelve players and the ability to create movement in the team. Her first touch of the ball was a beautiful run down the right wing and excellent cross into the D but noone could quite get to the end of it to make it a perfectly worked goal.

Half time saw us getting some advise from Gill as well as Captain Rachel and we were motivated and keen to get on with the second half.

There was fantastic pressure from Julie Ann, Emma and Captain Rachel suring the first ten minutes, which finally ended in a short corner being awarded. Once again Captain Rachel struck the ball but it fell just wide of the goal, however after a somewhat scrambled effort, involving several players, Fuzzy knocked the ball past the keeper. 2-1!

Amber Valley brought on some new players, who seemed stronger and more experienced. They pushed strongly but Rachel H managed to keep them at bay with her excellent defending skills.

When they did get through and were awarded a short corner we organised ourselves at the back and defended strongly. Megan saved the ball when struck but one of the better Amber Valley players flicked the ball over our sticks and it was tapped into the goal. 2-2.

They got their last goal from a free hit outside the D taken quickly and a very luckily a player in the D, trying to stop the ball, deflected it into the goal. 3-2!

We continued to work hard and definitely had the majority of play, with Sheridan helping out towards the end. We just couldn't make it a draw or win though.

Once again we played very well as a team with some lovely movement between the midfield and forward line. The defence remained strong and marked brilliantly.

Man of the match was awarded to both Captain Rachel and Tammy.

Donkey of the Day goes to Jess...who I have not mentioned...due to her not actually turning up!

Thank you to Father Neilson for umpiring and to all family, friends and 2nd team players for supporting! Much appreciated as always!

Well played Ladies! Unlucky!