"Away" win at Culford

Three weeks after their last outing the Ladies 4s gathered in miserable conditions to play our development side.

As the 4s were playing without a keeper, a 4-5-2 formation was adopted, with the plan being to keep the ball moving to use our extra outfield player and to look to pass the ball around Charlotte Whiting in the 6’s goal.

As is commonly the case the start was a little slow. The 4s were mired in the middle of the pitch by a swarming 6's defence and struggled to find space in the 6’s D. The chances that were made demonstrated why we needed to go around Charlotte as she effectively repelled our direct shots.

All the space was in the wide areas and midway through the first half the 4s started passing there. That created greater access to the D and hence the goal. Sheer weight of pressure finally led to goals, none pretty, but all count one.

Half time allowed for some reflection and a change to a more attacking 3-5-3 formation with the aim of getting more attackers around the goal and to put pressure on the 6s exits. There was also a reminder to pass the ball around Charlotte.

The 4s played far better in the second half with the game now almost exclusively in the 6’s half. We went wide earlier and attacked the space created. We also thought to assist rather than shoot and tap ins resulted.

Full credit to the 6s, they have improved since the first game. The 4s played better this time but scored 2 less goals. The coach asked that the team pay the 6s the compliment of playing a fully committed game, with no show boating, and we did. They compete with many other sides in this division and are fully living up to the development tag.

The final score was 7-0, with goals from Amber Sharp, Kathryn Mitchell, Bella Bridgeman (2) and Fiona Stokes (3). Special thanks to the umpires, coaches and supporters who braved the inclement conditions with us!

The 4s have a re-arranged game at IES next week, the first for league points in a month. Let’s pass it around them please.