A gale blowing into our faces

Although the 1s again lost, the margin was narrow and there were a number of positive aspects to the team’s performance which look good for next season.

Saddleworth had the majority of the first-half possession and were clearly looking to pull-off the well-practiced moves of an experienced team: both in open play and at short-corners. But Stockport’s defence is experienced too (!) and Helen Elcock, Adele Lumsdon and Wendy van Tonder read the attacks well and foiled the majority with well-timed interceptions and solid tackles; those that got through were stopped by good saves from the keeper, Angela Fuggle. Better communication helped ensure not just effective defensive cover from the midfield - Claire Atherton, Jax Pheiffer, Rachel Dunley and Emma Woodhead – but intelligent re-distribution of the ball once won and retained possession from the majority of hit-outs: a major improvement on previous weeks! So, although Stockport were under pressure for much of the half, it didn’t feel like we were under the cosh, and we threatened Saddleworth a number of times during the half – most dramatically in the final seconds when Amy Nicklin burst away from an over-committed Saddleworth – and nearly connected with Lisa Horbury to ‘nick one’.

Breeze Hill certainly lived up to its name, as there was a gale blowing into our faces as we came back on for the second half! Saddleworth’s half-time team talk must have encouraged them to be a bit more crafty in trying to find a way through us – as they certainly looked to make the most of all opportunities from set-pieces and finally did convert two chances from short-corners. The first, a few minutes into the half, saw well-judged positional movement produce a good shot to angle in just past the outstretched foot of the keeper; the second, soon after, saw a gently lifted shot gently float over the sticks of the defenders on the line but stay low enough to hit the backboard. Despite the disappointment, Stockport stayed in the game and the re-jig of positions at half-time – added to by some good work from Lisa Hughes on the wing, Susan Elcock midfield and Kelly Shore in defence – meant that Saddleworth had to deal with some extended periods of pressure themselves. They held firm, and the final score of 2-0 was a fair reflection of the game.

POM – Angela Fuggle.