Always going to be a tough match

This was always going to be a tough match with City of Manchester comfortably sitting with maximum points (11 wins out of 11) at the top of the table versus our development team (5ths) sitting comfortably at the bottom of the table with 1 win out of 11.  I say comfortably as what many teams miss is the fact that we measure our 5th teams success on our performance not the match result and our goal difference would actually have us mid table - now that's a result!!

Stockport started off well playing a 4-4-2 format anticipating a lot of attacking play.  It took a while to settle but the format worked really well considering we only had one natural 'back' player playing.  The defence held CoM beyond the 25 yards with Leah Perkins distributing the ball well up to Natalie Sutherland in midfield and the play moved to CoM's 25 yard area.  The 5th team's attacking play took CoM by surprise and Sam Piggin got in a couple of shots on goal.  CoM came back strong and it wasn't long before there was a cross and the slip shot fired past the keeper.  The 2nd goal followed very quickly and CoM gained their confidence and were on their usual path of trying for a double figure result from the game.

Stockport raised their game with Kelly Shore and Susan Elcock working hard in central defensive positions cutting out or channelling players wide and CoM were forced to play the ball wide or off the back line.  Stockport's marking was tight but now and then the forwards drifted back enabling CoM to squeeze the play further up the pitch.  Advantage was taken of this with when Ceire McNamee picked up the ball passing to Chloe Withers up the left who was able to distribute to either Christina Bates or Debbie Mole with the final pass just out of reach for a clear shot on goal.  Two more goals from CoM followed 4-0 at half time.

Stockport's objective was to not allow a double figure result against them as it is rumoured CoM are going for a record of how many goals ever scored in a division within the league (not that I'm sure anyone is interested other than CoM!).  Andrea Boulton offered an incentive of £5 per goal (quickly reduced to £1) for the forwards to score and Sam Piggin being the student she is was on fire - who says money is not an incentive!!

With only 11 players Stockport had a hard fought game and had to tap into reserve energy for the 2nd half.  Becks Evans and Debbie Mole put chase on hits taken by Leah Perkins and Kelly Shore and overall there were some good attacks and Stockport were unlucky not to score.  CoM's goalkeeper certainly didn't find time to lie down in this game!

A phenomenal goal came from CoM's right wing who had a fantastic game and a green card followed for another CoM player which was the only glitch in the otherwise excellent game.  3 more goals and lots of saves (including one by Andrea's head and one by Susan's foot!) gave an end result of 8-0 to CoM and mission accomplished for the 5th team in that they had a lower number of goals scored against them than both the Stockport 3rd and 4th team - well done! 

Player of the match was well deserved by Leah Perkins but everyone gave a fantastic display of hockey and determination throughout the game.