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WWFC Lionesses U12s v Kempston U12s

It was a bit of a grey morning at Ridgmont today and it wasn’t long before a slight drizzle added to the deceptively chilly breeze but the girls soon warmed up as we met Kempston for the second time this season, this time for a cup game.

From the whistle, the game was on with both teams looking pretty evenly matched. Kempston were pushing hard for goal which initially our defensive line-up coped with well. Tayla took strong control of the middle while Ruby K in particular stepped up to the plate and continued to raise her game, running down any challenges, putting in some strong kicks and good passes. Ruby combined notably well with Mollie to see off any threats down the left wing. Mollie made one long run up the left, passing three Kempston players, but unfortunately there was no-one to hook up with at the end.

My dodgy stats indicated that at this point we had the greater possession but unfortunately we were unable to capitalise on this, with only one shot on goal in the first half, from Charlotte.

Nil all at half time.

Kempston always looked a threat and they secured the first goal of the game in the second half with a wide angled shot to the bottom corner, just beyond Maggie’s reach. Maggie was under pressure and again the stats show that far too many balls were getting through to her. She coped well, making nine saves in all.

Charlotte added a bit of energy to midfield which until that point had been lacking and she got one terrific shot off on goal, just denied by the post.

Kitty, battling with having been ill all week, still managed to put in a wonderful corner which the keeper just managed to get to but spilled into her own net. This got WWFC onto the score sheet and brought the score to one all.

Every time the ball was played into midfield, Kempston quickly picked it up and made an attack, demonstrating some good strong passing and confident strikes at goal. It seemed a little in the second half as though the Lionesses’ midfield had joined Izzy on her day out. We need you all present again for next week please !

It wasn’t long before Kempston sealed the match with another goal which the Lionesses sadly turned into their own net. In the closing stages, Woburn seemed to take it up a gear but it was all too late.

There were two contenders for Girl of the Match this week: Ruby K who continues to shine and Maggie. The award goes to Maggie this week as she handled the pressure admirably and kept the score line sufficiently low to have kept us in the game.

It may not have been the team’s best performance but none should feel as bad as the secretary who realised a couple of hours after we got home that the penalty spots she had marked out was about 10 feet too close to the goals. Thus she was whole-heartedly relieved that the game had not gone to penalties ! (I should point out that said secretary is also in charge of the household finances !)

‘Man’ of the Match goes to Mike for going above and beyond with disposal of something the foxes left behind the night before.

(We were requested not to take any photos today).

Lionesses v Shefford Saints

It was a slightly later start today at Ridgmont and though milder than it has been of late, the wind still reminded us that it was January.

We were without Maggie in goal today but we were pleased to see her arrive to watch, sporting a pair of crutches. Hang on in there Maggie, it won’t be long before you’re back in the game. Both the Rubies were also below par having fallen foul of the winter bugs this week so well done girls for digging deep and both putting in good performances.

Subs bench

Also grateful to Shefford for playing as their team too had been affected by the bugs and they were without a number of their usual squad.

Woburn started the stronger and within the first few minutes we opened our account with a lovely pass by Izzy, from the right, to Jas who buried it, 1-0.  In that instance we thought perhaps it might have been off-side but the linesman kept his flag down. This was closely followed by a sublime one touch pass from Jas to Charlotte which resulted in a corner for Woburn.

Kitty had put on the goalie gloves for the first 15 minutes but she wasn’t really put to the test and  when she came out onto the pitch for the second quarter, she soon made her mark. Izzy supplied the assist which Kitty converted, taking Woburn to 2. Jas had assumed the role of goalie but for much of the remainder of the first half was not really put under pressure.

Play remained largely in the Shefford half with Tayla, Mollie, Ruby and Scoobs in control of any balls that strayed over the half way line. A blinding corner from the left by Kitty, curled majestically into the goal mouth bringing the score line to 3-0 at half time.

Oranges consumed, the teams returned to the pitch and Shefford appeared to have found their mojo in the early stages with a little more pressure on the Woburn goal, girled now by Tayla (who absolutely loved it !). The Woburn manager (me), battling with an orange carton against the wind, made a brief foray onto the pitch amid a barrage of helpful comments from the touchline. The carton lost.

Mollie closing down

I think that is Kitty under all that clothing

Jas lining one up

Kitty, now playing central defence, collected the ball part way into the Shefford half and lobbed it high towards the goal. Everything appeared to go into slow motion as the ball came in over the head of the Shefford goalie and flew gently into the back of the net; unstoppable for pretty much any goalie…even a tall one. 4-0.

Ruby K assumed the goalie gloves for the last quarter and got her hands to the ball when required and Kitty moved back into her usual role up front. A strike from Kitty rebounded and was followed up by Jas who scored her second. The final goal came from another intercept by Izzy who passed it to guess who, Kitty, giving her her fourth. The game ended 6-0 to Woburn.

Charlotte in pursuit

Izzy looking for options

Following her stints in goal, central defence, attack and hat-trick plus one, today’s GOM has to go to Kitty for the second week in a row. Well done !

Due to the state of our pitch, the girls are prone to more than a few air kicks and today was no exception. Winner of the most aesthetically pleasing air kick this week, once again, goes to Kitty.

Tony’s dodgy stats :

Lionesses v Mid Beds Tigers

No match report this week due to lack of time. Apologies !

Tony’s dodgy stats