Ryan's Report - Women's Football 2nd XI vs. Brockenhurst College

Worthing College girls approached the game with large amounts of optimism after an impressive final pre-season win against Chichester University. Their first league game of the season was to be against Brockenhurst College, Brockenhurst came to Worthing off the back of a heavy 7-2 defeat in their first league game. It was clear from the moment they arrived that Brockenhurst were out for revenge and to ready to kick start their season.

After large amounts of sun cream being applied, due to the searing heat, the game started at a heated tempo. Goalkeeper Stacey-Leigh Johnson keeping Worthing in the game for the early parts of the match with some fine saves. After 10 minutes disaster struck, the Brockenhurst number 13 was allowed time to turn, positioned at the edge of the 18 yard box she lashed the ball into the back of the net. Skipper Chloe Lamley roused the troops and Worthing College responded almost immediately. Kirstin MacGregor playing a fine pass splitting the Brockenhurst defence, Aliss Pidduck running onto the ball and coolly slotting the ball in the bottom right hand corner. The game became a very tight affair for the next 10 minutes, both teams defending extremely well, stand out performances from Elisha Evans and Holly Jacklin in central defence keeping the Brockenhurst front line at bay. Worthing where not without chances, good solo efforts from Ashleigh Kirby and Amy Martin whistling just wide of the post. It was clear from the side-lines that something had to give, the pressure mounting on both sides. Unfortunately, it was to be Worthing who fell behind for the second time. An excellent cross from the Brockenhurst left wing was left undefended by the Worthing back line, a goal line scrap followed, the eventual outcome the Brockenhurst striker toe poking the ball into the net. Any other side in the league would of fell foul to crumbling under the disappointment of falling behind again, however, Worthing College are made of stronger stuff, the girls picked their heads up and battled on! Excellent pressing defending from Charlotte Howcroft-Stemp forced a mistake from the Brockenhurst right winger; regaining possession Charlotte slid the ball inside to Emily Hale who played an excellent ball to the feet of Jade Widdows, a setback followed to Ashleigh Kirby who unleashed an almighty left foot that crashed into the top of the next, 2-2! Worthing College looked remarkably sharper and dominated the midfield area. Jade Widdows continued to push alongside the last Brockenhurst defender, with excellent skill Jade beat the offside trap and used her electrifying pace to latch onto through balls from Kirstin MacGregor and Emily Hale bagging herself a hat-trick inside 20 minutes!

Half time – Worthing College 5 v Brockenhurst College 2

Manager Michael Ryan made a few changes at half time; this allowed Jade Widdows, Amy Martin and Emily Hale to recharge their batteries after excellent first half efforts. Two new signings made their debuts in Becky Perry and Vicky Stewart; Becky Perry moving into right back with Captain Chloe Lamley shifting up top to partner Aliss Pidduck, Vicky Stewart took her place between the sticks allowing Stacey to come out onto the field to park herself alongside Kirsten in the centre of the park. Worthing College learnt from the first half that the playmaker for Brockenhurst was the number 13 who had bagged their first goal. The team decided to double up on her in the middle of pitch, restricting space and denying her time to get the ball out of her feet. In true enforcement style Kirstin and Stacey performed excellently and after 10 minutes of the second half the Brockenhurst number 13 drifted out of the game. Super sub Amber Newbury, playing in only her second game for the college, proved why she is establishing herself as a valuable asset to the team by bagging herself another goal, 2 in 2 games for the A level student. Excellent play from the Worthing College midfield allowed Amber to power past the stranded Brockenhurst left back, striding with the ball into the 18 yard box, with the goal at her mercy Amber lashed the ball past the helpless Brockenhurst keeper and widened the margin to 4 goals! 15 minutes into the second half Stacey was hit with a reoccurring hip injury, forcing her to be replaced by jade, with Chloe Lamley now being moved back into the centre of midfield and the familiar partnership of Jade and Aliss being re-established up top. I must include in my report that Chloe Lamley ‘joked’ at half time that she was going to be useless in attack, due to the fact that she ‘’Can’t shoot’’. Now, if Worthing College’s 7th goal is anything to go by this statement is severely false! Play seemed to be quieter between the 60th and 70th minutes; the ball became bogged down in the middle of the park. The match needed a spark to reignite the players, cue Chloe Lamley and her golden right boot. A telegraphed long ball from Elisha found the feet of Chloe 30 yards from goal, with a swift flick of the boot Chloe floated past two Brockenhurst midfield players; Chloe then unleashed an almighty right foot that emulated the great strikes of yesteryears. The ball flew through the air and finished high in the roof of the net, steam issuing from the stitching of the football. After the strike it was to be expected that Worthing College where to experience a lull and this was apparent when tired, sloppy defending resulted in Brockenhurst scoring two consolation goals. With the score at 7-4 with 10 minutes left to play it would have been uncharacteristic of Worthing College not to finish with a bang! It was to be Kirstin who scored a well-deserved effort in the 82nd minute and Aliss closed out the show with a characteristic composed effort in the 85th. Tight, compact defending saw out the final minutes of the game and as the final whistle went Worthing College left the pitch impressive 9 – 4 winners.

After the game the atmosphere was extremely positive, the girls happy, the manager chuffed, the girls sending a statement to the league that they are ready to take on all opposition…. The future looked bright….. Watch this space.


Player of the match – Jade Widdows

Very tough this week with a number of players putting in fine performances, however, with Jade scoring three goals in ruthless fashion she pips it as this week’s player of the match.

Starting Line up

GK – Stacey-Leigh Johnson
RB – Chloe Lamley (Goal)
CB – Elisha Evans
CB – Holly Jacklin
LB – Charlie Howcroft-Stemp
RM – Amy Martin
CM – Kirstin MacGregor(Goal)
CM – Emily Hale
LM – Ashleigh Kirby (Goal)
ST – Alliss Pidduck (2 goals)
ST – Jade Widdows (3 goals)

(Super) Substitutes

1. Amber Newbury (Goal)
2. Becky Perry
3. Vick Stewart

Cheers,

Mike Ryan