Open Age Women's First Team - Field Ladies
The ladies were prepared for a tough battle this week against a physical and aggressive side in Field Ladies. Field are a newly promoted team who went unbeaten last season in Division 3 so we had our work cut out.
From the first whistle the ladies put right their slow start last week immediately starting on the front foot. The first opportunity of the game saw Joni Stainton drive the ball forward whipping a piercing cross into the box to no avail.
This seemed to be the theme throughout the first half as Rosie Moor, Joni Stainton, Alisha Meehan and Kitty Lee-Bentham all created a wealth of chances which went amiss.
After some great attacking play Alisha Meehan left the field and was replaced by Zoe Mabbs making her first team debut.
The rest of the half saw us maintain the lions share of possession as we searched for our first goal. The best chance of the half fell to Kitty Lee-Bentham who’s shot rifled over the bar and would have certainly gone in on a dry day.
After a large spell of possession in midfield Neve Blackburn was replaced on the pitch by Alice Sweeney, Sylvie Morris also replaced Kitty Lee-Bentham as we looked to secure our first goal.
Half time - 0-0 a good first half with most of the possession, the ladies knew they needed to be more clinical in the second 45.
The game resumed as we saw more of the same from the first team who played most of the second half on the ball. Field put up a good battle and for 10 minutes looked like scoring.
However, the back line kept a water tight ship with one clear cut chance for the opposition who drove through on goal only to be met by a fabulous save from Mia Plows.
As the game progressed chances started to come for Horsforth and early on in the second half Joni Stainton's cross was met by Rosie Moor who leaped forward at the front post to meet the ball with a bullet header into the back of the net. 1-0 Horsforth.
Field immediately looked to respond but some good defending from Katie Partridge and Fallon Longstaff kept them at bay.
As we approached the hour mark Joni Stainton received the ball out wide and drove at the Field full back who had to commit foul play to keep Joni at bay. Joni lined up for the free kick which was met with a Freya Ott header which narrowly missed the goal.
After being wiped out off the ball Freya Ott was replaced by Neve Blackburn as Alice Sweeney moved to fill in at right back for the remainder of the game. Kitty Lee-Bentham and Alisha Meehan also returned to play as Zoe Mabbs and Rosie Moor departed the pitch.
Alisha Meehan made an instant impact playing some nice 1-2s with Neve Blackburn who slotted a through ball for Alisha to run onto. Alisha cut the ball toward the edge of the box which was met by Kitty Lee-Bentham who managed to get her shot away after turning the defender to make it 2-0.
Not long after the ball trickled through the field defence who weren’t quick enough to keep up with Kitty Lee-Benthams pace as she took the ball past the keeper and calmly slotted it past the recovering field defenders to make it 3-0 and put the game to bed.
In the dying embers of the game Joni Stainton received the ball out wide cut in and let a wonder shot go. Somehow the Field keeper managed to pull off a world class save to keep it out and keep it 3-0.
Full time 3-0 Horsforth St Margaret’s First Team
MOTM - Joni
Two weeks in a row looking a threat on the wing, creating opportunities for her teammates, driving the team forward and linking up with her fellow attackers to get an assist
Team Player - Kitty Lee-Bentham
A really impressive start to the season from Kitty with two strong performances and 5 goals across the games. Stepping straight into open age football physically dominating and driving past defences.
