Ladies 1's v. Old Loughts

Broxbourne Ladies first XI travelled away this week to take on Old Loughts. Having suffered a frustrating 0-0 draw with Maidstone the previous week the team were keen to make amends.

Old Loughts certainly started the stronger of the two teams mounting the pressure on the Broxbourne defence resulting in the home side gaining a large number of consecutive short corners. However, the Broxbourne defence stayed strong for the most part and some fine saves from goalkeeper Kim Bames denied the home side for the first 20 minutes. The home side did eventually break the deadlock scoring from a short corner.

Coach, Matt responded to this goal by making a strong tactical change in which he swapped Laura Wills to right back and Becci Pratt to centre back to allow them both to use their strong aerial skills to distribute the ball to the wide areas over the well organised Old Loughts press. This tactical change seemed to be exactly what the team needed - they grew in confidence and were able to create a number of attacking chances of their own. Laura Wills was able to work well with man of the match - right midfielder Gemma Wilkinson who carried out a number of fantastic attacking drives down the right hand side of the pitch executing some great passes across into the ‘D’ for the forwards to try and convert. When the half time whistle went, despite this increased confidence Broxbourne still trailed 1-0 at the break.

Broxbourne started the second half strongly looking to carry on the momentum they had at the end of the first. The defence continued to distribute the ball well to the midfielders who looked to find the forwards. Broxbourne gained a number of short corners in the second half, the third of which they were able to convert. Lucie Heyes injected the ball straight to the left slip Kay Finch who dragged the ball towards the left hand post to be tapped in by forward Lucie Heyes. However, Broxbourne weren’t ahead for long as Old Loughts responded straight away with a quick counter attack resulting in a goal. Broxbourne did not let their heads go down and continued to create chances many of which came from some dynamic runs from midfielder Emily Wilkins. As the pressure mounted on the home side Broxbourne came close when forward Becky Ellis was narrowly denied by a great save from the Old Loughts goalkeeper. Eventually Broxbourne were able to convert one of these chances. Becci Pratt sent an aerial to Lucie Heyes on the half way line who bought it down before passing the ball onto Becky Ellis in the ‘D’ who calmly slotted it into the left hand corner. Both teams continued to press for the winner but neither team were able to convert any of their chances. The game ended 2-2.

Next week Broxbourne travel to Dereham hoping to secure a much needed 3 points.

Player- Gemma Wilkinson
Donkey- Pip Evans