After last week's thrill a minute cup encounter, today saw the Ladies 1XI deliver the most composed performance of the season so far in taking Strathclyde University apart at a chilly Stepps, which seemed at times to resemble the frozen steppes. A fine way to conclude the first half of the season.
The first action of the match saw us gain a penalty corner, but the malaise of last week continued as it was more of a what went wrong moment. However, the disappointment did not last long as we took control of the game with very accurate passing finding gaps all over the pitch. That passing gained its reward in the ninth minute. A number of passes took us from the left corner to the right corner where Kate Wellington played a great ball into the D, Emma Davie swept the ball across the face of the goal and Annie "hot streak" Anderson put the ball into the net - her third goal in three games.
The students responded with some attacking play of their own without creating any pressure, although the quarter ended with us losing a corner but it came to nothing. Into the second quarter, the students started on top and they should have scored in the fifth minute but they screwed the ball wide. That was the last good opportunity for the home team as we took control of the game. Our next PC failed to deliver and then Iona Syme was denied by a great save. Susan Rome also had a chance saved and then Tegan McPherson hit wide of the target as we created some great chances through great leads and composed passing. We got our just reward in the final minute of the half. For those who remember, Thursday night was miserable but the long time spent practising corners paid off. Carys Doggart passed the ball across the goal and Susan ran in to knock the ball home. A 2-0 lead at half-time was a fair reflection of our dominance.
The focus of the sporting world is heading towards the Arabian desert but our own Messi, aka Carys, started the half in amazing style. She skipped past numerous defenders and as it looked as if the net was about to bulge the comparison drew to a close, the ball kept travelling wide of the post. At the other end, the Uni forced their only save of the game from Ava. When I say the students did, it was actually an attempted block by Caitlin Macintosh that directed the ball towards goal before the Haribo queen intervened. (Just as an aside for la mere Macintosh across the oceans, Caitlin was a very good girl today and did not get into trouble!)
Susan was denied again at the other end, before she combined with Tegan to win another corner. From the corner the Doggart/Rome combo worked their magic again to take the lead to three. More pressure throughout the quarter saw Sorcha, Iona and Susan all go close again as our passing tore through the students.
Quarter four was again one way traffic. Tegan was denied, Iona won a corner after being fouled about twenty times. Then from another corner, the practice made perfect mantra showed its worth again. This time Susan had the shot and Iona nipped in with the deflection. The final action of the game saw us complete the scoring. Kate repeated her role from the opening goal by putting a super pass into the D, Iona went past the defender and smashed a great finish into the corner. A fantastic finish to a fantastic performance.
Today was about efficiency and control. The press worked perfectly and we took possession all over the pitch. The attack was potent as it created a plethora of chances and corner routines converted into goals. Player of the match was a joint effort with Iona and Susan sharing the award for their doubles. The first half of the season ends with us likely to be in second place with seven wins, a draw and one defeat with a quarter-final cup place secured.
Hard to pick a comedy moment today but maybe a reminder that the club ice pack supplies need replenished as Orla maintained her ratio of injuries to matches. Roll on 25 February!