Women’s First Team Vs Woodlands Ladies FC (pre-season)

Preseason can be a nightmare for managers as so many players are away on holiday or busy with other commitments as was evident for both teams today. Arnold Town started the game with the whole of the first team back four missing. However the makeshift defence was well marshalled by Hannah Turnbull-Tilley alongside debutant Magda Bytnar in the middle with development players Leighanne Powles and Alyssia Griffiths-Gray at full back and 1st team keeper Emily Hallam behind them. The midfield saw Jen Lorimer and Jay Willows holding, with Molly Parker, Elli Leathen and Ciara Button in front of them. Young Chrystal Smiley played the lone striker role. The subs were Charlee Keetley and Mollie Rowden but were soon in the action with the use of roll on subs.

Arnold started brightly but it was the hosts who had the first clear chance of the game when they saw a shot canon off the base of the post and away to safety. Both sides looked dangerous on the counter, especially the ball over the top however both sets of defence managed to deal with each wave of attack. The breakthrough came after 22 minutes when a well taken Woodlands penalty broke the deadlock after a foul in the box. The correct decision but hard to take after a similar looking incident had occurred in the other penalty box 2 minutes before but was not given.

It was 2-0 ten minutes later when a shot from the edge of the area deceived Emily Hallam who felt the shot was going wide only to see the ball nestle in the far corner.

Arnold almost got straight back into the contest when Chrystal Smiley was put through by Mollie Rowden, only to see her shot come back of the inside of the post and back into the keepers hands. With 5 minutes left of the first half remaining ATLFC put the home side under pressure with a string of corners, resulting in Polish midfielder Magda Bytnar smashing the ball home in off the crossbar.

The second half saw no more goals but no less entertainment. Woodlands were unlucky not to get a third when a great reaction save from Emily Hallams foot at point blank range kept out an early effort, before another shot once again found the far post. Arnold also had a number of chances to get back level. Molly Parker enjoyed running into the space behind the defence but could only fire straight at the keeper. Jay Willows and Jen Lorimer both saw shots from distance sail ove the bar and Chrystal Smiley saw her shot brilliantly saved.

An great work out for both sides and so many positives to take into the next game. Thank you to the parents and friends that came and supported the team.