A Hard Fought Victory for the Firsts

Matches against Saddleworth always require the utmost concentration and this one was to be no exception.  Stockport needed a win to keep them in contention for winning the league, although they knew this was to be no easy feat against such strong opposition.
 
Stockport started the match strongly and passed the ball cleanly through the midfield to the forwards, with Jennie W and Lisa having a number of chances, slowly breaking the Saddleworth defence.  Stockport’s defence also had to work hard to prevent the Saddleworth forwards from breaking the deadlock.  Louise and Gemma Cook were holding firm and clearing the ball from the danger area.  The first goal was finally scored with terrific build up play from the midfield, Lucy Cook and Charlie aka Bean linking well together to shift the ball from one side of the pitch to another thus creating the opportunity to shoot, which was taken by Amy Nicklin and Bean picked up the rebound to cross the ball over the line (dribbling it all the way over just to make sure)! Stockport took a one-nil lead into half time and knowing that Saddleworth would come back strong in the second half.
 
The second half started as predicted with Saddleworth having a majority of possession at the start of the half, resulting in Angela making a number of saves to keep Stockport in front.  Stockport finally found the rhythm they had in the first half, although this was momentarily interrupted when Adele Lumsden was caught and twisted her knee (doing two James Bond rolls in the process), resulting in her plying no further part in the match. 
 
This seemed to spur Stockport on and Jennie W went on a solo run and doubled Stockport’s lead with a reverse stick shot into the bottom left hand corner.  Saddleworth never stopped pushing Stockport forcing Ange into a fantastic close range stick save and she was further brought into action with a penalty flick to Saddleworth (Gemma thought she was in goal and thought she would save it with her foot).  Ange saved the flick and Stockport held out to win by two goals to nil.
 
POM – Adele Lumsden (aka James Bond)