Report

With new energy for the New Year, both teams started the game with lively determination, but Hednesford soon gained the upper hand with an early shot from Lois Brindley going just wide into the side-netting.  An unwavering Lois soon attacked again and secured the first goal of the game in the third minute with a sure shot straight past the keeper.  At this point, it looked like Hednesford were going to start the year with another bombardment of goals; however, although they dominated possession, clear-cut chances were hard to come by.  Individually, the girls worked hard; Katie Smith keeping the defence tight and dealing with every attack and Kate Clinton tirelessly running in her attempts on goal, but the team didn’t show their usual finesse in passing and sealing goals.  Practically all the action was in the Walsall half; Lana Titley, light-footed in her new boots and hungry for a goal, forced the keeper to her knees with a powerful shot towards the bottom corner.  In mid-field, Abigail Malcolm made some good passes and Amy Newman won her fair share of tackles.  A perfectly positioned Tiffany Whelan confidently dealt with any ball that strayed towards the Hednesford goals.  Kate and Lois were both battling against a tight Walsall defence and although they created several chances, were unable to put any more goals away. 

With only one goal scored in the first half, Walsall ladies were eager to level the score-line and were making it difficult for the Hednesford girls as they were playing a very defensive game, trying to get a goal on the break, but the Hednesford defence kept on top of their game; Taylor Gillis clearing the ball superbly and Lauren Davison making some fantastically timed attacks.  The second goal for Hednesford was produced following a corner from Lana: Katie made a run from defence to receive Lana’s short corner and placed the ball into the box where Paige Smith-Kirkham clipped it into the goals.  Shortly after this, Samantha Fawdon, who had forced the keeper to make a fine save in the first half, secured the third goal of the game in the thirteenth minute of the second half with a fantastic left-footed shot.

The girls came away with a respectable win today, but manager Dave Fawdon commented that, after the Christmas break, they were only playing at 50%.  He is looking forward to seeing the team back to 100%; especially with the forthcoming game against Lichfield Diamonds next week.  Opposition’s player of the match was Katie Smith for her energetic involvement in the game and Manager’s player was awarded to Samantha Fawdon for her efforts throughout the game and a superb left-footed goal.