A crucial match

This was to be a crucial match against Tameside 1st, if Stockport 2’s wanted to continue there push for promotion to the 2nd Division. Tameside are a well drilled organised side and beat us at home. 
 
From the off Stockport showed some energy, with Emma Woodhead playing on the left doing particularly well in driving the ball down the wing.  Sam and Laura continued their improving partnership upfront and were really unlucky not to score forcing some good saves from the Tameside goalie. The midfield of Emily, Julie and Lucy worked hard especially in controlling the middle of the pitch.  With Stockport on the attack, it allowed Adele and Helen to support the midfield, this pressure eventually told and led to a goal after some quick passes amongst the forwards, Laura found herself unmarked in front of goal and fired home. Tameside did step up the pressure once we had scored and were unlucky not to score and did hit the post from a penalty corner but Helen, Gemma and Adele worked well in defence to clear any trouble.
 
In the 2nd half, there were lots more of the same, with attacks down the left and Hannah Williams driving the ball down the right but with the Tameside Goalie on top form we just couldn’t get another one. Susan Superglue played well sticking to her marker. Tameside were pushed to attack particularly down the left hand side which meant Lucy had plenty of running to do up and down the pitch supporting the defence and forwards. Tameside had plenty of shots as they tried to equalise, but they were saved well by Angie, at one point she even dribbled the ball through a crowd of players to then kick it up field. Tameside had a series of short corners but nothing got through, they were either cleared up field by Gemma (with her amazing hit) or by Helen. Late on with just minutes to spare, Adele made a match winning save on the line, even the Tameside players thought it was in, but pure determination saved that orange ball from going over the line. Well played everyone as we keep up the pressure for that 2nd spot.
 
Final score 0 – 1 to Stockport
 
POM Emma Woodhead