Batley v Shelf League Game 15th Nov 2009

Game League Batley v Shelf 15th Nov 2009

Shelf played their 1st League game against top of the table Batley today.  The game  was always going to be tough, with Shelf also having 2 players not available. however it did give the opportunity for some of our other girls to play a full game.

The game did not start well for Shelf and saw them go 1 goal down after 10 minutes, this was then doubled when a good move from the Batley right winger who played a great ball in the centre for the Batley forward to strike home a great goal.  Shelf were not at the races today and it could of been even more if it was not for some great saves from Shannon Shields in goal.  Unfortunatly Shannon got injured and had to come off midway through the 1st Half.  After 20 minutes Shelf made a good break down the left side which saw Lavinia finish with a great strike to make it 2.1.  Anna Shelfs goal scoring machine then sadly got injured when going for the ball with a Batley Defender, this saw Shelf play with only 8 players. Shelf though decided to wake up and played some nice football, Chloe played a good pass to Hannah down the centre of the pitch and Hannah raced onto the ball and stroke the ball home to make it 2-2.  Then a good one two between Chloe and Ebony saw Lavinia again race down the line to make it 3.2 to Shelf.  Batley were not about to give up and though Shelf manged to get Shannon back in goals Batley played some very nice football to make it 3-3. Their was only 2 minutes to go before half time when Shelf gained a corner from a good run from Francesca.  The corner came over and out and landed at the feet of Ebony who struck the ball well to see it go into the back of the net from the post. HT Batley 3 Shelf 4

Shelf started the 2nd half well and another nice ball played from Ebony to Hannah saw her race forward and score Shelf's 5th goal.  Unfortunatly Shelf then went to sleep for most of the 2nd Half, though Batley did have something to say about this as they made sure they were 1st to the ball on many occasions.  This resulted in Batley scoring a couple of nice long distance goals and then desrvedly scoring a 6th after some nice football down the leftside wing.  The Shelf defence came under the spot light for long periods of the game as Batley turned up the heat, however with a couple of great saves from Shannon and 2 goal line clearences from Abi Shields Shelf manged not to concede another goal. Shelf with only 6 minutes left managed to try and get themselves back in the game and were unfortunate not to score when Francesca hit the post.  Then with virtually the last kick of the game Shelf won a corner, and everyone was sent up around the goal area.  A great corner was taken by Ebony which saw Hannah rise up and score a bullet header which hit the back of the net for Shelf's equalizer and Hannahs 3rd and hatrick goal.  Soon after the re take the ref blew the whistle and the spoils were sharedFinal Score Batley 6 v Shelf 6

Managers Comments : A disapointing performance today girls, we were 2nd to the ball on a lot of occasions which resulted in putting our new defence for the game under a lot of pressure.  Some of our girls today were not at their best, all I say is just keep giving 100% for the team. Your Captain Cassie who was quite ill today played all the game and showed just what I mean when its not your day, as she gave 100%. However the fact we came from 2.0 down and then scoring an equilser right at the end of the game makes me know that when we play for the full 70 minutes we are a good team that is capable of achieving success this season. In giving constructive cristism I will also praise you because as a team we lost our goalkeeper for a period , played with 8 players for part of the 1st half, got injuries, and sickness plus had 2 players away today,all of which as a team you did not give up and I am proud of you all. Remember girls lets keep listening and working hard at training it helps you individually and as proven today as a TEAM.

Away Manager Award : Ebony-Mae Julienne

Home Manager Award : Hannah Sillince and Lavinia White

Thanks

Thanks to Sean and his Batley girls who played very well today.  Batley are a great club and both Sean and Steve do lots for the club and made us very welcome. Also we need to acknowledge our Refs as they do not get enough credit.  Today Steve from Batley refd our game really well, including letting the players and managers know what was going on all the time. Thanks Steve