Women’s 1st Team Vs Grimsby Borough Ladies FC

Hard work is something the management at Arnold have constantly told the players that will bring success. After weeks of hard work and gradual improvement it was pleasing to see it all come together today. Facing Grimsby Borough who narrowly came away with a 2-1 win earlier in the season, it was seen as a potenial 6-pointer today with both sides occupying the bottom 2 spots in the league. 

Arnold were boosted by a full squad having battled  valiently the previous week with just 10 players, which clearly improved the atmosphere in the dressing room although it did give manager Andy Ingle a selection headache. Straight from kick off, Arnold were quick to harrass the visitors but saw less of the ball within the first 15 minutes. Once they settled down and got a hold on the game the chances started to develop. Molly Parker looked dangerous as ever when running at the defence but to no avail. It was the returning Elli Leathen, back after an knee injury, who calmly played the ball to the captain Jen Lorimer. she turned inside her marker before placing the ball with her weaker left foot into the bottom corner.

This allowed Arnold to increase their intensity and play with more freedom. Emily Nelis was causing problems with her pace on the left side, which opened up the space for Molly Parker to run through on goal before picking her spot and doubling the lead. Minutes later it was three as Jen Lorimer found space on the edge of the box before curling the ball into the top corner.

Grimsby still looked dangerous going forward and never gave up, numerous corners caused the Arnold defence to have to be on their gaurd but they stood up to everything thrown at them. The relationship between Chay Davey, Claire and Tina Potter, and Charley Norman is really blossoming with only 3 goals conceded in the last three 90 minutes of football showing their progress. Things continued to get better and better as Molly Parker found her self on the bi-line before placing the perfect pass for Emily Nellis to tap in at the back post.

4-0 at half time could in reality have been doubled but having not been in this position for a long long time, it was important that heads were kept focussed as Grimsby are a team of grafters and an early goal back would have made it a nervous second half. Whilst the game plan was being well executed it was a fluke goal that brought the visitors back into the match, as a save by Emily Hallam cruelly rebounded off her before spinning backwards into the net before she could claw it out.

Character was now so importatnt as Grimsby grew in confidence, still hoping to get something out of the game. Having weathered the storm Arnold held firm and the defensive midfielders of Chloe Jordan and Ciara Button maintained the wall infront of the back four as well as driving the side forward. Molly Parker doubled her tally with another composed finish before Natasha Leach opened her Arnold account when she scored from just outside the 6 yard box to make it 6-1.

With two players now on for a hatrick, it was great to see the home team close out the game so professionally with the bonus of Molly beating the skip to the match ball, with a simple finish at the back post. 

So 7-1 at full time is a convincing win but there is still alot of the season to play. The quality and belief is here and with consistancy, this season could really be starting now as long as the players contunine their hard work, but for tonight there are smiles all round and rightly so.