Womens 1 Vs North Norfolk 1

North Norfolk Away 11 January 2019

St Neots Ladies 1 made the 210-mile round trip to face third place North Norfolk. This

was their first League game back since early December and they were hoping to build

on a six-game unbeaten streak. An 11.30 a.m. push back meant meeting at Longsands at

7.30 a.m., which allowed everyone a much-needed McDonald’s breakfast en route. The

team arrived in sunny Cromer to be greeted by gale force winds.

Saints won the toss and decided to play against the wind in the first half. This meant it

was difficult at times to drive the ball forwards and Saints spent much of the half

defending their goal. Unfortunately, this was compounded by sloppy passing and cheap

turnovers. It was all square and goalless at the half-time break, but Saints’ keeper Mel

Harding had definitely been the busier of the two goalkeepers.

Saints made a couple of tactical changes during the break by bringing Caroline Osborne

into left back and replacing her with Eleanor Pybus as centre forward. Caz’s experience

helped shut out the constant threat of the North Norfolk right-hand side attack.

The second half was a much more open affair, with Saints creating much more in the

Norfolk final third. Eventually, the deadlock was broken by the home team after Saints

failed to clear a short corner, putting them a goal behind. The game restarted with

Millie Payne having a goal disallowed for shooting outside the D. Finally, the ladies

pulled it back with another powerful drive from a short corner which Eleanor converted.

Game on. Unfortunately, Saints couldn’t carry that momentum forwards and again gave

the ball away cheaply on the top of our D, which the home team converted.

Overall, a rusty and disappointing start to the New Year and plenty to work on at

training on Tuesday evening, with the only highlight being the McDonald’s cheesy

flatbread we had on route  

Player of the match was an easy one this week: Caz, for her ability to play in multiple

positions to the same high standard