Ladies 1st Win Indoor League Title 2nd year running

Derby Asterdale Ladies 1st XI

Belper Indoor Champions
2007 / 2008

Tuesday saw Derby face Ripley in their penultimate Belper Indoor League fixture of 2008 knowing that 3 points would secure the league title.

The squad led by Amanda Petrie was in buoyant mood prior to the fixture and even when the Ripley squad entered the pitch sporting Belper, Players and Ashbourne tracksuits – may have loaded the side a little - the Derby players where not phased at all.

As the game got underway Derby hurried and hassled Ripley not allowing them a moment to dwell on the ball and on 4 minutes it was Chantelle who found space inside the area from a great pass by Sue-Anne to slot home the opening goal.

This settled Derby and gave them the belief that they could now go on to win this game but Ripley were a dangerous opposition forcing chances of their own on the break but the substitution bringing on Captain Amanda on 9 mins proved decisive.

Marie Dymond picked up the ball from her own ‘D’ and with slick passing again through Kath and Sue-Anne the ball was transferred into the Ripley top ‘D’ inside 5 seconds finding the in-rushing Amanda to the top left of the ‘D’ who took the ball 1st time on the run and dragged the ball at tremendous pace low to the keepers right to leave the Ripley Keeper no chance and send the team into raptures at the quality of the goal leaving Derby 2-0 up.

The nerves though again began to come into the match from Derby as Ripley pushed hard to get back into the game forcing several penalty corners only to find the Derby defence in great form. It was from one of these corners that Derby again broke out of defence at pace and a scramble inside the Ripley ‘D’ seconds later saw Amanda free 5 yards out to slot home what should have been the winning goal just seconds before half time.

The 2nd period was a different game though. Ripley blasted out of the blocks determined to get back into the match at all costs. With Derby now under severe pressure cool heads were needed but after 2 mins Ripley scored a messy goal to peg Derby back to 3-1.

But…… on 6 minutes Derby were awarded a penalty corner and up stepped Sue Anne. As she took the ball from the injector she calmly cushioned the ball away from the advancing Ripley defender to her right and place an unstoppable low drag flick to the keepers right which was worthy of play at a much higher standard for a fabulous goal and to send the girls into raptures at 4-1 up with 6 minutes left.

However 6 minutes at indoor is a very long time!

As Ripley pressed again their midfield player drove the ball towards Marie on the top of Derby’s ‘D’ and as Marie crouched down for the flat stick tackle, the Ripley player clearly lifted the ball in an outdoor style over Marie’s stick to find her strike partner with the easiest of chances which she scored from. As all stood waiting for the decision to go against Ripley to our amazement the goal stood!!

Straight from the re-start Derby drove into the Ripley ‘D’ and an attempted a high drag at the Ripley goal saw the ball hit the defender some 2 yards out of goals in the chest for a straight forward penalty Corner or Penalty Stroke….. but the same umpire amazingly gave the hit out to Ripley saying it was dangerous play ….. a shot a goal brilliantly lifted is surely not.

With 2 mins left again a goalmouth scramble saw the Ripley forward unmarked and able to slot home with ease to incredibly take the score to 4-3.

As Ripley pushed everyone forward to get the draw, they forced no fewer than 6 consecutive penalty corners with almost every one being snuffed out by Marie Dymond but the previous weeks nightmare of conceding with the last touch of the game against Ripley for a draw was not to be and Derby held out for the win.

Coach Taylor Comments:

The girls were brilliant!

There ability to shut out the obvious loading of players from Ripley and to take the pressure of occasional unusual umpiring decisions against us was superb.

There was no outstanding player tonight just a solid and united group of ladies who knew what was required and did just that.

I would like to thank all those players that have contributed to this indoor team but were unable to be there tonight, in particular Anna Neilson whose goals have been a major factor and our Umpire Kelly who seems to be putting on some weight lately!! Only a few months to go Kelly.

Target 1 has now been achieved for the season. Now we must push on to meet the rest in regards to the Derbyshire League – League Championship – 100 goals - Anna Neilson 50 goals & most importantly promotion into the Midlands Conference.

PLD....9….W….8….D….1….L….0…. F:46….A:13….PTS 25…Champions