After a star jump filled warm up an all-star dev team hit the pitch for their penultimate match against a strong Shaftesbury side. There was some anticipation in the air after rumours of a previous thrashing from the opponents, but the Dev team was confident in continuing their winning streak.
Shaftesbury kicks off, but an early ruthless tackle from Nim quickly drives ball up the pitch. Shaftesbury soon intercepts and regains possession, however pressure leads to a dev throw in by the corner which is cleared to halfway line. Jemima throws in and more pressure leads to 2 more throw ins inside the Shaftesbury half. After some ping ponging of the ball between the teams, Rosie O drives through, passes the ball to Nim, who shoots… and is narrowly saved by the goalie. At this point the Shaftesbury team were clearly beginning to feel the pressure as a the dev team are awarded a couple of corners, one of which Nim sweeps the ball across the ground and the ball gets knocked into goal by a Shaftesbury player. 1-0! (although no celebratory star jumps as promised)
The Dev team quickly resets and works to keep Shaftesbury out of their half. More excellent attacking by Asia, Niamh and Nim in the Shaftesbury half leads to throw in close to the corner, taken by Rosie. Asia has her first shot on goal and almost scores. Shaftesbury quickly tries to clear but Rosie and Asia 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 India slowly advances Devs up the pitch however Shaftesbury pressure eventually switches the possession.
The first attack by Shaftesbury begins but is successfully cleared by Rosie. More Shaftesbury attacks follow but the Devs defence stays solid and Wendy sends the ball back to the oppositions half. Shaftesbury returns with another attack but don't make it far before dynamic duo Jemima and Rosie step in and tackle. Devs continue to push up and Niamh has an attack but is cleared by goalie. India has another couple of throw ins for Devs. A corner for Shaftesbury leads to no progress due to more tight Dev defending. Some great teamwork between Asia and Niamh is seen upfront, passing and dribbling around Shaftesbury defence. An amazing run by Rosie all the way down the line suddenly gets Devs back near the Shaftesbury goal and a beautiful shot by Rosie almost goes in. However Shaftesbury retaliates with an attack the Devs struggle to clear causing an almost own goal, but thankfully Wendy clears.
The game takes a turn as Alan and his questionable reffing returns. He dubiously awards Shaftesbury a free kick (the first and sadly not last of the game) but is cleared by Rosie. Shaftesbury throw in but Jemima and Rosie clear. Niamh picks it up and wins a throw which is taken by India. The ball is swiftly transferred to Nim who takes a shot but goes wide. Shaftesbury takes a goal kick which goes all the way to Wendy. Wendy kicks to Asia in excellent spacing but is quickly outnumbered by Shaftesbury players. Shaftesbury advances and takes a shot but it goes over so Wendy takes a sneaky goal kick to Rosie in defence. A battle between Rosie and Shaftesbury results in a dev throw in. However Shaftesbury intercepts and takes a shot. Wendy just tips the ball up it goes over the goal.
A corner for Shaftesbury follows, then ball to hand leads to another Shaftesbury free kick but Nim and Niamh clear. Pressure by Asia and Niamh lead to Dev corner, the goalie struggles but saves it. Goal kick follows which the Dev team then clear off the pitch. Shaftesbury has a throw but India clears. Alan awards a yet another free kick to Shaftesbury (reason unclear). Wendy saves allowing Nim to react and go for goal but the goalie saves it. Despite the obvious save by the Shaftesbury keeper, Alan decides to give a goal kick instead of a corner. The Dev team were baffled! Shaftesbury try and press but fail leading to a throw in to Dev. Nim takes a shot but goalie saves again.
Another corner from Shaftesbury is cleared by Rosie, Niamh and Asia. Alan then blocks a clearance and awarding a Shaftesbury kick but is safely blocked by India. Rosie then takes a kick which almost goes through the goalies legs! The whistle blows and the half time score is still 1-0 despite some close chances.
The second half commences with an altered line up featuring new player Kit as single striker. Play starts with kick off from Kit to Emma. Emma pushes up but is shoved and falls over! However play continues with no foul obviously. Shaftesbury advance and have an early shot on goal but passes far over the bar. Shaftesbury tries a second advance but Rosie defends out after a little fumble. Shaftesbury throws in and takes another identical shot which passes over the bar. Jemima throws and Kit nearly headers it into the goal. Jemima throws again and Dev players make their way up the pitch.
All of a sudden a Shaftesbury player is down, with an injury that looked like a potential ACL... (Although it looked like she was okay afterwards). Unfortunately Shaftesbury have no subs so the game resumes 6 v 7. Shaftesbury take a throw in but Nim interrupts with a stunning slide tackle. Shaftesbury put on the pressure and take a shot which is saved again by Wendy. Wendy kicks the ball up the pitch to the forwards for a dev attack. Emma slides in a cross that causes Shaftesbury to fumble again! Own goal making it 2-0!!!!
Shaftesbury resets and advances leading to 2 corners to no success as both Nim and Wendy 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 Shaftesbury the shoving. Unfortunately the goalie saves it. Alan awards Shaftesbury another dodgy free kick but it sails over. Soon there is a shot from Jemima all the way back from halfway line on target, but goalie catches it. Devs get a corner allowing Kit to get a shot in but it gets defended out. Shaftesbury then gets a throw which causes some confusion between Dev defenders giving Shaftesbury an opportunity to shoot, but flies over goal. Jemima tries to do a throw in but it's slips from her hands and falls sadly to the ground - almost on her head!
The ball finds its ball up the pitch to Emma whose dribbling skills get the ball past the opposition with ease. Alan strikes again awarding Shaftesbury ANOTHER free kick. The player then doesn't kick the ball but instead dribbles it which is a foul but ofc they are allowed redo it. It’s been a bad day of reffing for Alan.
Becca intercepts and does an amazing job of keeping the ball on the pitch at the goal line and putting it into a great position... Until the whistle is blown for a goal kick despite the ball still being in play. Shaftesbury runs up the pitch and had a great shot on target but Wendy saves. Wendy transfers to Emma who takes the ball right down the pitch. She then crosses it brilliantly like in training that weak but sadly no one was there. Devs continue to dominate with Becca taking multiple chances on goal, but just doesn't have enough time to set up the shot before Shaftesbury defends away. Shaftesbury attacks, shoots, but misses. The Dev defence stays solid preventing Shaftesbury from taking any more chances. More Dev tackles come flying in which Alan doesn't like but oh well because the whistle blows form the final time and the game ends 2-0 to the Devs!!
POTM: Wendy McCann
Written by: Niamh Shannon
