Women’s First Team Vs Nettleham Ladies FC

Eagle Valley saw Arnold Town Ladies host their last home league game of the season against a Nettleham ladies side that have been free scoring in the last few weeks having scored 32 goals in the last 7 games. The visitors started strongly and were awarded a penalty after 20 minutes when defender Chay Davey was drawn into a last ditch tackle in the box. Goalkeeper Emily Hallam has missed the last 2 games through injury and was only selected at the last minute but the gamble soon payed off as she flung her self to her left and pushed the spot kick out for a corner. There was a new streak of confidence in this Arnold side that only had 2 players selected in the 13 player squad that hadn't come through the girls youth set up at the club, which shows how well they are developing players and the opportunities that they are getting. Tackles flew in from both sides in an ultra competitive first 45 minutes and Arnold looked dangerous on the break with the trickery of Crystal Smiley and Molly Parker alongside the strength and pace of Chloe Stocks. However Nettleham have quality in every position and this soon showed with a tidy finish after 30 minutes to take the lead. This could have been doubled had it not been for a brilliant reaction save from Emily Hallam when a tap in at the back post was thwarted by her left foot. 

Overall the Arnold management were extremely happy with the attitude and work rate and felt that a positive result was still within reach. This how ever was made harder with a Nettleham second goal on the 50th minute mark. Caught on the counter attack down Arnolds right, the ball was played back to the edge of the box from the bi-line, before it was drilled into the bottom left hand corner for 0-2.

Whilst a blow to the young home team, it didn't affect their confidence and if anything created a rise in their efforts. From an Arnold point of view the next 40 minutes were unbelievable. The turn around in performance levels in such a short space of time is credit to the ethos of manager Andy Ingle but more importantly the willingness to change and listen by the players. Every single player upped their game and commanded their part of the pitch meaning the visitors weren't able to settle with their 2 goal lead. This led to some good Arnold pressure led by the midfield trio of the skipper Jen Lorimer, Lottie Swinscoe and Chloe Jordan which resulted in a fine poachers goal from the skip to half the deficit. A ball floated over from the Arnold left beat everyone and as it looked as if it would sail harmlessly out for a goal kick, Jen Lorimer snuck in behind to place the ball past the keeper to make it 1-2.

The game was now even more open with pace and power from both sets of players making it a fantastic match for any neutral watching. Crystal Smiley was replaced by Elli Leathen who soon got into the tempo of the game and within minutes could have earnt a share of the points as a through ball set her in at goal and was unfortunate to see her shot across the keeper go the wrong side of the post. At the other end Chay Davey marshalled Claire Potter, Charley Norman and Tina Potter brilliantly, keeping a tight line and winning headers and tackles as if their lives depended on it, which meant Nettleham were limited to long range shots that were either wide of the target or collected by Emily Hallam. 

Molly Parker started to turn up the tempo down the left wing and time and time again put in peaches of a cross in which the visiting defence were able to clear. Probably the best 45 minutes of football Arnold have produced for years but just not enough to take any points, however considering Nettleham scored over 20 goals against us last season in 3 games including a 13-0 hammering, this is a huge improvement.

It's hard coming of a pitch having lost but the positives from the match were so great that the atmosphere in the changing room at the end was a pleasure to be in. No longer are Arnold a team that roll over and allow teams an easy 3 points. Every single player had their best game for the club last night and picking a player of the match impossible from the management, but the oppositions choice of goalkeeper Emily Hallam was richly deserved.

One league game to go away at Nettleham on Sunday before the hard work of pre season starts in May. The foundations are in place and the levels have been set by the players so next season can not come around soon enough.