We may be 'Under Pressure' but we are 'Keeping the Dream Alive'

Matlock 6ths vs. Derby Asterdale Ladies 3rds

So it had to happen - although I was personally hoping it wouldn't....

We were missing a couple of key players when we stepped out against a Matlock side that looked somewhat stronger than previous encounters. We still started strongly putting Matlock under great pressure with lots and lots of possession and an onslaught against their defence.

This is basically how the game continued, chance after chance after chance with the ball just not finding the backboard. Scoring a goal was definitely made harder by the fact that Matlock's 4th team and Derbyshire keeper was in the goal, she was pretty awesome making some reasonably difficult saves. However I think it's fair to say that we missed a few chances and didn't really mix it up enough to get her off balance - she clearly wasn't going to let in anything less than an impressive strike or great deflection. We had quite a few penalty corners and although we mixed them up they just didn't come together.

However the team fought hard showing a lot of spirit and the onslaught on Matlock's defence continued right through to the final whistle with a penalty corner that we just couldn't convert even with the whole team around the D. We might have been slightly unlucky seconds before the final whistle when the keeper on the floor with Rach H all over her swept the ball over the back line deliberately. Umpire Jon confirmed afterwards that had he seen it he would have awarded a stroke! It would have taken someone with a steelier nerve then mine to put that away though!

Player of the match - Megan, although thoroughly deserved for taking care of 4 breakthroughs caused by our defence playing so high because of our constant pressure it's not really reflective of the attacking game we played where Matlock had literally those 4 chances, 1 penalty corner and no more.
Donkey - Annie for tripping Megan up on one of the aforementioned breakthroughs - God knows what happened there!

Final Score: Matlock 0 - 0 Derby Asterdale.

Although well done to Matlock for brilliant defending I think that because of our domination all match long it can only be considered 2 points lost and not 1 point gained!

Onwards and upwards though; 4 league matches left - 2 wins needed to secure the league - come on girls lets give 100% and put this league to bed!!!

Thanks to Jon for umpiring - you were great, particularly considering how few games you have umpired - you can umpire for us any time you like!

Well guys dropping 2 points against a suprisingly strong team with many key players missing is still a positive result.

You've done fantastic this season and now sit just wanting 6 points from the remaining 4 games to get what you deserve, Championship Status.

Once you have all your squad back the wins will come, now MAN UP and get on with winning this bloody title !

Your song title "Keep the Faith" Bon Jovi

Hey girls, it may have felt like a disappointment not to win, but still a great result to come away with a point. You are certainly doing us all proud, and we all still believe in you. Remember, EVERY ROSE HAS IT'S THORN (Poison) and certainly it would seem that Matlock were the THORN IN OUR SIDES (Eurythmics) this weekend. However as the title suggests, Britney would say this should make us STRONGER.

So to keep spirits up for next weeks games, for our pre-match warm ups, I'd like to recommend a duo of Bobby McFarlan, and the ever reliable Monty Python. These should do the trick to help us get those limbs losened up, and spread a few smiles. So remember " DON'T WORRY, BE HAPPY", and "ALWAYS LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SiDE OF LIFE" !
x ali