Shelf v Barnoldswick Barons 2nd Round County Cup

Latest Game - County Cup 2nd Round Shelf v Barnoldswick Barons 13th Dec

Today Shelf welcomed Barnoldswick Baron Girls who who are without doubt one of the best teams in the North Valley league (last seasons ru-up in the league and cup winners).

Both teams started the game well, but it was Shelf who got on the score sheet 1st with a great individual goal from Lavinia. She received a nice pass from Shannon then ran down the left wing passing two players before striking a great unstoppable shot that hit the back of the net.  The Shelf central midfield were winning some good 50/50 balls and after another good run from Lavinia, Chloe popped up to squeeze in the 2nd Shelf Goal (this goal was rather a lucky one for shelf as it may not of crossed the line?).  This however was the last bit of luck Shelf got as good pressure from Barnoldswick saw a very tame penalty given. The Barnoldswick centre then ran up to take the penalty only for our ever improving keeper Shannon make a great save.

Shelf then dominated the rest of the half, and were unlucky not to score a 3rd when lovely play from Anna and Francesca saw the latter foiled by another good save from the Barnoldswick keeper. Both Hannah, Anna, Chloe and Ebony also went close to scoring but again good keeping kept Barnoldswick in the game.

Then with 7 minutes left of ther half a great ball from Ebony found Hannah who ran on at pace and strike a low hard shot that found the back of the net.

Once again some good play found Barnoldswick back in Shelf's penalty area, and once again a very very harse penalty was awarded. But again Shannon's great goalkeeping presence saw the penalty go wide.

HT Shelf 3 v Barnoldswick 0

The 2nd half saw Shelf play uphill, and we all knew that the game was not done and dusted by any means.  Shelf came close in the 1st 5 minutes to making it four, unfortuanty good flowing moves just could not be finished off.  Then a very nice move from Barnoldswick saw a great strike hit the top of the net and made it 3-1 (game on).  Then within minutes a mistake in the Shelf defence saw the visitors take their 2nd goal, and this was now going to be a tight game.

However Shelf rose to the occasion to play some strong football, especially again winning some great 50/50 challenges that saw Anna hit the ball home to make it 4-2. Then 5 minutes later a nice run from Francesca down the right, saw Chloe pick the ball up and pass to Anna who after a bit of a scramble with the keeper found the back of the net.  Shelf then kept on attacking and another scramble saw Anna score her hatrick and Shelf's sixth goal

Shelf were now fully in control of the game and were unlucky not to score a couple more goals from Hannah and Anna.  Shelf though did not have long to claim their seventh goal and a great pass from Cassie saw Hannah pick the ball up and run at the Barnoldswick defence turn inside a hit the ball in the back of the net.  Barnoldswick did not give up and scored straight away, and once again it was a long range strike that Shannon could do nothing about.  With only a few minutes left an error from the Shelf defence on the 18 yard area found another Barnoldswick player who could hit a ball, and she did,  as it hit Shelf's top roof of the net to give then a fourth goal.

Soon after this the final whistle went, and overall Shelf were very good winners on the day. 

FT Shelf 7 v Barnoldswick 4

Shelf are now through to the Quarter Finals of the County Cup - Well done Girls.

Away Manager Award : Shannon Ryan-Wakeling

Home Manager Award : Ebony Julienne

Managers Comments

Today was always going to be a hard game, and it did not disappoint. I felt for us to win today we really needed our central midfielders to win the ball as much as possible, and boy did they not let us down. Both Chloe and Ebony battled hard and won some great 50/50 balls which without doubt gave our attackes some great ball to score some super goals today.  Everyone played really well, Shannon in goal was confident (inc a great penalty save) and gave a good presence all the game, all our defenders (Shannon, Chloe, Abi and Becca) worked really hard boh in defence and attack.  Our midfield wingers (Francesca and Lavinia) can be outstanding at times and delivered some nice balls into our centre forwards (Girls though do keep going for the full 70 mins!!).  Our attack of Hannah and Anna were fantastic and were closing down well to put the opposition players under pressure and you both ran onto balls to score goals.

We need to keep playing as a team, as football is a team game and we need all our players to work hard and support one another all the time every time.  Lets not forget this girls and dont let your team mates down!!!.

Well done I am proud of all 11 players today.