Match Report

Solihull Ladies v Walsall

Sunday 21th September 2008

Birmingham County Womens League - Division 1

Following their impressive start to the season Solihull knew that this weeks opponents, Walsall, would provide a much tougher test. With both teams hoping to be in the shake up at the end of the season a competitive performance was required.

Walsall started the game much the better team. They had 2 early shots which went wide of the post and Rachel the Solihull keeper saved a free kick which has heading straight for the top corner. The Solihull centre midfield and central defence worked hard to stifle the Walsall attacks and finally got a foothold in the game. Hollie led from the middle of the park with some determined tackling.

With 15mins gone Solihull finally settled and started to find their passing game, it was their turn to have spell of possession. Danni went on an attacking run down the right wing and fired in a fierce cross which Sally couldn’t quite connect with. Just a minute later Sophie on the left wing picked up the ball and slotted a great through ball for Sally to chase, the Walsall keeper was quick off her line and managed to smother the ball in the nick of time.

Sally, who was now seeing a lot of the ball, latched onto a through ball from Denise, but the resulting shot just flew over the top corner of the goal. Still pressing forward Solihull won a corner. Danni swung the ball in and Sally produced a great turn and shot which the keeper saved.

On 35mins Sophie played another through ball for Sally, again she couldn’t quite connect and the keeper collected. With just a couple of minutes to go before half time, Sophie went on a run down the wing, cutting inside and hitting a good shot which yet again the keeper saved to keep their team in the match. Half time 0 – 0.

The second half started in the same vein as the first with Walsall having a good 10 minute spell. The Walsall forward made a strong run towards goal but was squeezed out by Grace and the resulting shot was easily collected by Rachel in goal. Walsall then had a shot which hit the post leaving the keeper stranded, with the ball running free it looked like Walsall would open the scoring, only for Becky to appear from nowhere and make a last ditched goal saving tackle. From the resulting corner Jenny headed clear to relieve some of the pressure.

Solihull then went on the attack, winning a free kick for handball on the edge of the box. Sophie lofted in the perfect ball which Jenny caught sweetly only to see it hit the crossbar. This seemed to put Solihull back in the driving seat as they started to control possession.

Just as Sally had most of the chances in the first half Vicky took over in the second. A fierce shot was just wide of the bottom corner, 2 more shots were saved by the keeper and a number of last ditched crunch tackles by the Walsall defenders saw Vicky unable to open the scoring.

Walsall were battling hard but were visibly tiring. To try and take advantage on the 68th minute Trisha replaced Denise in the middle of the park, followed a couple of minutes later by Katie coming on for Michelle in defence.

Sophie held the ball up well as Grace went on one of her customary overlapping runs, beating the defender and firing a great ball in, unfortunately she was too quick even for the Solihull forwards and there was nobody there to meet it.

With 8 mins left Solihull made their final substitution with Louisa coming on for Dani who had run her socks off.

With Solihull pressing to get the winner Walsall pushed forward on the counter attack and won a corner. Rachel easily caught the ball and launched a huge kick up the pitch which Vicky reached but the shot was saved by the keeper. With just a couple of minutes on the clock and Walsall just as determined as Solihull to get the winner they had 2 shots in succession saved by Rachel. The whistle blew making the full time score 0 0.

This was an exciting 0 – 0 draw which saw both teams play some excellent football with determined tacking and chances for both teams to win it. 2 good sides both of whom won’t be far away come the end of the season.

Full time : 0 – 0 (Half time : 0 – 0)

Player of the match: Hollie Chambers

Team: Rachel Dean, Grace Ollivent, Jenny Price, Rebecca Guest, Michelle Witherspoon (Katie Hopkins), Danielle Hill (Louisa Ward), Denise Corfield (Trisha Samuels), Hollie Chambers, Sophie Healy, Sally Blaby, Victoria Bodington.

Subs not used: Dianne Baker

Designed by

  Denise Corfield

www.solihullladiesfc.moonfruit.com