We were playing on 3G today and arrived at The Poplars in good spirits after a brilliant game last week and an equally good training session. We had a full squad, apart from Mala who was away.

Sav started in goal for the first time looking resplendent in her sky blue and black kit! We were playing 4 x 15 minutes so we could move the 4 subs on after the first quarter.

From the kick off Burton Joyce attacked and their first shot was on target, Sav getting down well to save it. Then we attacked with Evie-Rose shooting just wide…and so it continued from end to end for a few minutes with all the girls trying to control the ball and make a pass to a team-mate. Defensively we looked strong with Dobbo reading the game and hitting balls long and wide, whilst Freya was making determined tackles as well as getting her passes to team-mates.

Mossy and Evie-Rose were taking on defenders and working well together and then Evie-Rose got a pass in the box, ran on and placed it wide of the keeper…GOOOOOOOAL!

Then the subs came on for the next quarter. The girls were very excited to have scored a goal! Burton Joyce were defending well and their keeper made a couple of good save. Then at our end Katie was also in the action, saving a couple of shots and doing some good kicking out of hand.

With half-time approaching we broke down the middle with Evie-Rose and Millie. Millie had the ball and hit a lovely shot past their keeper…GOOOOOOOAL! A big smile from Millie. This was a real team goal, the ball moving from Katie to Dobbo, to Mossy onto Evie-Rose and finished by Millie. That had the coaching staff purring!

The second half saw plenty of action at both ends but as Burton Joyce tired we had some more chances, the keeper saving well, or us shooting wide. The shape was still pretty good with Grace and Erin attacking down both sides and getting shots away. At the other end Violet was solid in her defensive position, clearing out danger and taking a touch whenever she could. Alice was back on and showing lots of composure at the back and confident enough to take throw-ins.

The coaches were particularly pleased when Sav took a kick out of her hands – and what a kick it was bouncing over half-way and putting us straight into another attacking position. She was so confident that she took a couple more putting us in possession again. She happened to make a couple of very good saves with her legs as well. They all count!

Freya had her best game yet, getting to the ball first, tackling and making some good passes to feet. Mossy had one of her quieter games until we realised she was limping a bit and brought her off. 

Lots of smiles after the final whistle from both teams, with the Buzzards chattering away. An exciting game for both teams, all the girls from both teams doing their very best today.

Player of the Match was Freya showing plenty of determination in the game