READING GIRLS WHITES 0 – 1 FLEET TOWN GIRLS

(Sub: Ciara)

Due to the Icelandic volcano grounding all flights, Ella remained stranded in Spain, so today Shanna stood between the posts again. 

Whites went forward but the Fleet defender collected the ball but Jade persevered and dispossessed her and forced a great save out of the Fleet keeper.  Each time Fleet attacked there was some excellent defending by Milly, Charlotte and Lauren to keep the ball away from Shanna’s goal.  A long throw in by Beth found Melissa in the box she touched it to Jade whose effort skimmed the bar and went over. Play was end to end with Lauren and Melissa tackling in midfield and Beth and Jade pressurising in attack.  Charlotte took a throw in down the line to Beth, she crossed well but it was just too far for either Jade or Melissa and the ball went out of play.  Beth then had a shot from distance which went just wide.  (Jade of/Ciara on).  Beth drove forward passing on to Melissa but her shot was also wide.  (Beth off/Jade on).  From defence the ball was knocked up to Ciara who turned her marker well but then was dispossessed for a throw.  (Ciara off/Beth on).  From a Fleet throw the ball entered the box and Shanna produced a great double save to deny their strikers.  Jade then had a chance for Whites which went wide.  Beth went on another run down the right her cross flying across the goal face and out.

Half time:  Reading Girls Whites 0 – 0 Fleet Town Girls

Second half

Fleet had been wound up at the break and attacked from the off with their player needing to be dispossessed by Lauren for a corner, which came in and the Fleet player shot wide.  Lauren then knocked the ball forward to Beth, she ran on but the Fleet defenders recovered well and got back to clear the danger.  Fleet then had another chance forcing a superb and brave save from Shanna with the Fleet attacker right in her face. (Beth off/Ciara on).  Fleet kept pressing for the opener and it required great defending by Milly to deny them for a corner.  (Jade off/Beth on).  Fleet went forward again into the area, where the referee saw Whites handle the ball and awarded Fleet a penalty – they converted (0-1).  (Ciara off/Jade on) (Charlotte off/Ciara on).  Fleet attacked again with a girl through on her own but Ciara backtracked well and forced her to pass and that player shot wide.  Whites won a corner and Chris pushed everyone forward with minutes to go (including Shanna).  The corner came in and fell back to Shanna on the half way line, she shot and forced an outstanding save from their keeper for another corner.  Again everyone was forward but it wasn’t to be and the game ended with just the penalty separating them.

This was a great advertisement for girls’ football although tense for the supporters at times.  Every Whites player gave it their all and we probably gave Fleet their only test of the season.

Full time: Reading Girls Whites 0 – 1 Fleet Town Girls

Whites: Charlotte, Shanna, Beth, Milly, Melissa, Jade, Lauren, Ciara

LS