The Dev team hit the pitch for their first league match against a strong Fry club side. There was some anticipation in the air for the first match but the Dev team was excited to start.
The Devs kicks off, Fry soon intercepts and regains possession, however the pressure leads to a throw in and is cleared to the halfway line. Immy gets a throw in and more pressure leads to two more throw ins inside the Fry half. After some ping ponging of the ball between the teams, Thea drives through, passes the ball to Mathilde, who shoots … and is narrowly saved by the goalie. At this point the Fry team were clearly beginning to feel the pressure as a couple of corners later, Alex sweeps across the ground and the ball gets knocked into goal by a Fry player. 1-0.
The Dev team quickly resets and works to keep Fry out of their half. Excellent attacking from Alex, Niamh and Thea in the Fry half leads to a throw in close to the corner, taken by Louise. Thea has her first shot on goal and almost scores. Fry quickly tries to clear but Niamh and Mathilde won't let them leading to panic, with Shaftesbury players crashing into each other before the ball is cleared.
A string of throw ins from Immy slowly advances the Devs up the pitch. However Fry’s pressure eventually switches the possession.
The first attack by devs begins and a sudden goal which is knocked into the fry goal in the confusion. 1-1. More Fry attacks follow but the Devs defence stays solid and Nim sends the ball back to the oppositions half. Fry returns with another attack and slip in a goal. 2-1.
Devs are undeterred and continue to push up and Niamh has an attack but it gets cleared by the goalie. Louise has a throw and then another throw in for the Devs. A corner for Fry leads to no progress due to more tight Dev defending. Some great teamwork between Thea and Mathilde is seen upfront passing and dribbling around Fry defence. An amazing run by Alex all the way down the line suddenly gets Devs back near the Fry goal and a beautiful shot by Alex almost goes in. However Fry retaliates with an attack which the Devs struggle to clear causing an almost own goal, but thankfully Nim clears.
HALF TIME!
Fry throw in but Immy and Louise clear the ball. Niamh picks it up and wins a throw which is taken by Immy. The ball is swiftly transferred to Thea who takes a shot but goes wide. Fry takes a goal kick which goes all the way to Nim. Nim kicks to Alex in excellent spacing but is quickly outnumbered by Fry players. Fry advances and a handball leads to a penalty which leads to a close goal. 3-1. A battle between Mathilde and Fry results in a Dev throw in. However Fry intercepts and takes a shot. Nim just tips the ball up it goes over the goal. A corner for Fry follows, then ball to hand leads to free kick but Nim and Immy clear.
Pressure by Thea and Niamh lead to a Dev corner, the goalie struggles but saves it. Goal kick follows which the Dev team then clear off the pitch. Fry has a throw but Immy clears.
Another corner from Fry is cleared by Louise, Alex and Immy. Thea then takes a kick which almost goes through the goalies legs! Thea pushes up but is shoved and falls over, but play continues. Fry advance have a shot on goal but passes far over the bar. Fry tries a second advance but Immy defends out. Fry throws in and takes another identical shot which passes over the bar. Louise throws and Alex nearly headers it. Louise throws again and Dev players make their way up the pitch. Fry take a throw in but Mathilde interrupts with a stunning tackle. Fry put on the pressure and take a shot which is saved again by Nim who kicks the ball up the pitch to the forwards for a Dev attack. Alex slides in a cross that causes Fry to fumble again! Own goal making it 3-2!!!!
Fry resets and advances leading to two corners that lead to no success as both Nim and Immy stop them in their tracks. Devs move forwards with tons of space and time but just not getting enough time for a shot. There’s a shot on target for Dev despite Fry defense. Unfortunately the goalie saves it.
Soon there is a shot from Thea but the goalie catches it. The Devs get a corner allowing Mathilde to get a shot in but it gets defended out. Fry then gets a throw in which causes some confusion between Dev defenders giving Fry an opportunity to shoot, but flies over the goal. More Dev tackles come flying in but the whistle blows for the final time and the game ends 3-2 to Fry Club!!
POTM: Alex
Written by: Niamh Shannon
