READING GIRLS WHITES 2 – 1 READING GIRLS BLUES

(Subs: Ciara, Chloe Smith, Michaela)

This was the first of our local derby, midweek fixtures against the Blues.  With Ella remaining stranded in Spain, Shanna took the green jersey (well lucky bib!) and we had a full compliment on the bench.  With the Blues having been wound up for this fixture it began a very nervous match.  Whites put on the early pressure with Beth launching a throw in into the box which needed to be cleared for a corner, then followed another corner, both of which were dealt with and cleared by the Blues’defence.  Another long throw entered the box but was easily collected by their keeper.  Then Melissa lobbed the ball in from outside the area, it looked goal bound heading over the keeper’s head but the keeper kept her eye on the ball well and caught over her head to deny Whites the lead.  From the back Milly passed up to Beth she took a run down the left and crossed in but the ball was too close to the keeper for Jade to get a touch.  (Charlotte, Melissa off/Ciara, Chloe on).  Blues then attacked with Shanna saving bravely at the striker’s feet.  Jade cleared the ball from defence up to Beth, she carried it forward then passed on to Chloe but Blues’ defenders were there to clear the danger.  Blues then surged forward and their Beth controlled the ball well and only had Shanna to beat, she turned and the ball went past Shanna into the net. (0-1).  Blues then had another chance to increase their lead but Jade got back and cleared the ball and then their shot sailed over the bar.  Beth charged forward again sliding the ball through for Chloe but again it was too close to their keeper and she collected with confidence.  (Jade off/Michaela on).  Blues attacked again but Ciara did well to track back and clear the ball away.  Blues broke forward again but Shanna came out and forced their shot wide.

Half time:  Reading Girls Whites 0 – 1 Reading Girls Blues

Second half

(Subs: Ciara, Chloe, Michaela)

Chris tried to lift the girls’ heads and they returned to the pitch to try and turn this game around.  Shanna was called upon early on to come out and save Blues’ effort.  Beth then went forward, her effort going wide.  Milly passed forward to Beth, she went on forward and passed through to Jade, but with three defenders on her, her shot was saved.  From a throw in the ball rolled out to Jade, she headed it on to Melissa who passed back to Lauren; her shot flew straight at the keeper.  Jade pressurised their defender and won the ball back but her shot was saved.  Milly moved forward and passed on to Jade, she controlled it well and shot, the keeper got a touch and the ball rebounded out, Jade eyed up the shot but Beth got in first and tapped it home (1-1).  (Jade off/Chloe on).  Beth then had a chance to get a second banging in a shot and forcing a great saved by Blues’ keeper.  Whites attacked and the ball was bouncing around in the box, it eventually fell to Lauren who lobbed the ball over the keeper, she caught the ball but with her hands being clearly behind the post and the ball therefore over the line, the referee awarded the goal (2-1).  Lauren then had another chance with her cross/shot only being held at the second attempt by Blues’ keeper.  Beth went forward and passed to Chloe and she stood her ground and won the ball back off the defender but then the ball went out.  Beth then got second wind and surged down the pitch all the way into the box, past her marker, but her shot was saved for a corner.  The corner came in and bounced at Chloe and Beth’s feet, then it was fingered away for another corner.  Melissa swung it in but Chloe’s effort went wide.

A very nail-biting match but a great come back from a very quiet Whites team.  We look forward to the rematch in two weeks time.

Full time: Reading Girls Whites 2 – 1 Reading Girls Blues

Whites: Charlotte, Shanna, Beth(1), Milly, Melissa, Jade, Lauren(1), Ciara, Chloe, Michaela

LS