Women’s First Team Vs Grimsby Borough

Football has a habit of kicking you where it hurts (or in this case my big toe following an alteraction with a goal post). Arnold Town Ladies made the trip to Lincolnshire to face Grimsby Borough with a spring in their step following last weeks FA cup win. From the off Arnold dominated the game, keeping the ball and passing around the oppostion like they werent there. I had to check that the same players were actually our players as i have never seen this kind of football before. Chances came and went before Laura Coulthard found space through the middle and calmly slotted past the on rushing keeper. I think everyone watching would agree that it honestly could have been 10 before the break. Grimsby were kept out well by a dominant back 4 and restricted to long range shots (which skimmed the bar on 2 occassions).

Praise was given at half time, with directions to keep up the work rate and play with the same confidence. Grimsby settled in the second half first and whilst they had more of the possession, were still unable to break through. Molly Parker continued her great form running the defence ragged, and Chloe Jordon played as if she was a veteran of the game, not a 16 year old playing her 3rd senior game!

Grimsby had the luxury of 3 subs which changed the game, a worn out Laura Coulthard gave everything and was replaced by Saqqara Nugent but wasnt enough to stem the flow of pressure. Another outstanding one handed save from Ellie Roache and a goal line clearence from Jenna Smith looked to have been enough to seal the 3 points. However in the 87th minute the ref saw a foul in the area and pointed to the spot. The penalty cooly finished before the cruelest of finishes in the 95th minute saw a shot well saved again but falling to the middle of the goal and the ball blasted into the back of the net.

Everyone in Arnold Colours did the club proud today and on another day would have skipped home with the points. Its a long season but performances like that can only see this team going in one direction. The secret is to now keep that level of performance up!