Ladies 3rds Vs Ashbourne - 21/3/09 Home

A beautiful spring day and an early game, well 10:30pb is early enough for some! A full squad, a couple of subs and everyone ready for a bit of a run around Asterdale ladies were hoping not to have a repeat of last week’s tough game!

The pressure was on from the off, Ashbourne seemed the upper hand in the first five minutes and whilst in our D they were given a short and thankfully the powerful strike went wide. Now it was our turn to apply a little pressure, we made our attack down the right but were blocked by a solid defence. Both sides struggled to break out of the midfield, it was a tug of war, a battle of wills, we crept into their D and Rachel F had a cracking shot on goal, unfortunately it was literally millimetres wide of the left post!

Ashbourne had difficulty clearing the ball from 16yrds, Derby held their positions well and were able to collect the majority of hit outs or forced mistakes, not-so-new newcomer Sam, in the right back position made some awesome tackles and clearances. Twenty minutes in and a tussle in our D saw Ashbournes first goal. Izzy was floored after clearing the ball, only for it to find the end of an Ashbourne stick, it seemed as if the world went into slow motion as we watched the ball gently roll into the back of the net.

Not loosing heart Asterdale battled on, Dan had us subbing on and off for little much needed breathers! Some of our girls had the added stress of playing a variety of positions throughout the game, not an easy thing to get used but nonetheless we stayed strong in our formation and created opportunities even being awarded a few shorts. These were defended well and kept the score line to a mere 1-0 at half time.
Dan’s half time team talk kept us focused and feeling positive, we were keeping up the pressure, forcing errors and interrupting their play, the game could still be won! In the second half we did as we always seem to do and that’s improving our game! We we’re passing well and had some strong runs into attacking territory, one in particular springs to mind by Terri, who took the ball from the midfield right up to the top of the D, flanked by an overwhelming Ashbourne defence the ball was cleared. A mighty effort reinforcing Asterdales drive!

Once again those pesky Ashbourne lot snuck into our D, a tussle ensued, the whistle blew just as Ashbourne struck the ball into the back of the net. The goal was disallowed, PHEW! Moments later however they were at it again, in our D, this time we were not so lucky, Charlotte R bravely attempted to block a stick-breaking strike at the goal, the ball deflected skyward at explosive speed and like a bomb on target landed in the back of the net with no chance of a counter attack! We were two nil down.

It felt like we were doing all the right things as a team, communicating well with excellent calls and timely passes, we were attacking up both sides of the pitch and had several near misses. Two shorts in quick succession were only narrowly saved by Ashbourne, much to our exasperation!

Time was ticking on, the sun still fierce and our wills as strong as ever! Ashbourne led an attack down the right wing, hooked into the D and by the flukiest of flukes scored their third goal, at such an acute angle it completely took both sides by surprise! With five minutes remaining we were no longer playing to win, we were playing for our pride, alas as ever our ambition was curtailed by the final whistle! Despite the loss both sides had an enjoyable game which to the ladies 3rds is what keeps us turning up each week!

Several players were nominated for man of the match however, this week the most votes went to Sam who had an awesome game in defence, well done Sam!!

The Donkey award this week goes to Izzy who, once again, played in the goalie spot without contact lenses!

Thanks to the Umpires for a fair game and Dan who narrowly missed out on the Donkey award this week for his distinct lack of enthusiasm to do fitness training after our Tuesday session!

Also noteworthy is the return of ‘our Sara’ who returned to the game after her eyebrow was split open in a match a few weeks ago. The wound is healing well as is her confidence!