Ladies prevail in a game of two halves
It was 3G for the Ladies today as we took on South London Women in Southfields.
We welcomed back Mairead Halliday, Emily Hobern, Vicky Cockle and Ellie Lourdes, but were still, once again, only able to put 12 names on the team sheet.
There was a strong, gusty wind in our faces in the first half. And this had a massive bearing on the game. This period was mainly played in our half, with South London threatening our goal from several long range shots and the occasional corner. We weren’t having any joy at the other end of the field, but as the half wore on our objective was clear - stay in the game until half-time. We managed that, and started the second half optimistic that things would improve for us.
Sure enough. Ten minutes into the second half, with our team cottoning on to the fact that the wind had moved the centre of gravity of the game thirty yards further down the pitch, the ball was played in to Sophia Demetriou inside the South London box. Sophia turned sharply and hooked the ball home. 0-1.
Only three minutes later, Mairead Halliday, back on after some treatment, picked up the ball 25 yards out and hit a wonderful dipping shot over the South London keeper into the back of the net. 0-2.
We had a purple patch for a further 10 to 15 minutes, before South London rallied and came back at us. Our defence of Lucy Potter, Zoe McLaughlin and Danni Bourne were doing a brilliant job holding South London out, while Georgi Wickham and Vicky Cockle were raiding down the flank with intent. In central midfield, Olivia Watson, Mairead Halliday, Emily Hobern and Lily Dusting were going toe-to-toe with a strong South London midfield. And up front Sarah Sinkins and Sophia Demetriou were applying pressure to the South London rearguard.
A special mention goes to Ellie Lourdes who did a fine 75 minute stint in goal before adding a late 15 minute cameo up front. A clean sheet was the least she deserved.
We survived a few late scares, but saw the game out to a 0-2 victory.
Team: Ellie Lourdes, Georgi Wickham, Zoe McLaughlin, Danni Bourne, Lucy Potter(c), Emily Hobern, Mairead Halliday, Olivia Watson, Vicky Cockle, Sarah Sinkins, Sophia Demetriou
Sub: Lily Dusting
Goal scorers: Sophia Demetriou, Mairead Halliday
Player of the match: Georgina Wickham
