Match Report

Solihull Ladies v Birmingham Medics

Sunday 5th October

Birmingham County Womens League, Division 1

Due to circumstances beyond their control, Solihull were forced to rely on the kindness of their hosts Medics, who kindly made arrangements for them to use their ground, even though it was Solihull’s home fixture.

It was a bright autumn day, with the conditions perfect for football. Solihull started brightly and in the first minute a ball was swept out to the right wing from Trish to Danni. Danni made a superb run and got the ball in first time, which fell at Vicky’s feet. She took one touch and shot just slightly over the bar. This was just the premise of things to come as Solihull made good use of the right wing play from Danni.

They didn’t have it all their own way as Birmingham Medics made some good passing movements themselves. Medics made a good play from the centre to right wing. The player shot and hit the bar and the rebound just went wide. This was only four minutes into the game.

The Solihull midfield of Trish and Hollie began to work well together and strongly and were winning a lot of the ball. A good pass from Hollie found Danni out on the right, again with the first time cross to Shauna, who just managed to head it over the bar. From the resulting goal kick the ball was won by Solihull again and a pass was made to Vicky’s feet. She produced a good low shot only for the keeper to parry into the path of Shauna for a tap in, to make it 1-0 in the 11th minute.

This just spurred Solihull on with superb possession and passing all across the pitch. Vicky received a ball to feet which she layed off to Sally, who hit a stunning volley into the top left hand corner. 2-0 (17 minutes)

At this point the spectators were treated to a display from a trio of streakers on the adjacent pitch!! As if they wanted to see that.

Back in the game there were a few forays forward by Medics, but the back line of Di, Grace, Becky and Jenny were superb in marshalling the defence. Grace made a run and played a superb ball to Vicky, she crossed it in only for it to go over Shauna’s head but Danni popped up behind, but it was saved well by their keeper. From the resulting kick the ball was picked up by Danni, who whipped the ball in, superbly taken by Vicky on the knee to control and the shot lashed in. 3-0 (25 mins).

From the kick-off Medics battled and endeavoured to put Solihull under pressure. A ball over the top was headed the wrong way by Becky. Chased down by the Medics forwards who thought they were through but Becky made up the ground and forced the ball wide . The half finished with another shot from Shauna, which was headed over the bar. Half time Solihull 3 Medics 0.

In the second half Solihull seemed to have rested on their laurels and Medics came out much the better side. They were creating a lot of options, but it wasn’t quite happening for them in the final 3rd. Solihull then seemed to wake up and start playing again, a ball was played to Trish from the defence, she ran down the wing and crossed to Sal, who’s touch was a little heavy and it ran on to the keeper.

The next play the ball was knocked on to Shauna who played it to the feet of Vicky, who neatly lifted the ball over the keepers head. 4-0 (52 mins). Diane was substituted for Katie (54 mins).

Solihull now had momentum and were breaking forward on a regular basis. This spurred the defence of Solihull and at this point centre half Jen steamed forward from the back through one tackle, steadied her self just passed the half way line, and lashed the ball into the back of net!! Awesome. 5-0 (60 mins)

Sally substituted for Sophie (65 mins). The floodgates were now opening a mazy run from Vicky, cut in from the left, great turn around the defender and a shot into the bottom right corner. 6-0 (69 mins)

The goals were now coming at regular intervals. Trish played a ball out to Shauna on the wing who switched the play across the box to Vicky who from a tight angle shot under the keepers body. 7-0 (73 mins). A few more shots ensued from Shauna and Vicky who had worked tirelessly up front, but the Medics keeper managed to save their shots.

Good solid work from Trish who passed the ball out to Sophie who was wide left. Sophie cut in and shot over the keeper. 8-0 (83 mins). Medics had worked hard but Solihull were in the ascendancy and Shauna managed a rasping low shot, which was saved by the keeper, but unfortunately for her it fell into the path of Sophie who knocked into the back of the net. 9-0 (86 mins).

This was a superb performance from the entire Solihull squad.

Full time : 9 – 0 (Half time : 3 – 0)

Player of the match: Trisha Samuels

Team: Rachel Dean, Dianne Baker (Katie Hodgkinson), Grace Ollivent, Jenny Price (1), Sally Blaby (1) (Sophie Healy(2)), Trisha Samuels, Victoria Bodington (4), Hollie Chambers, Rebecca Guest, Danni Hill, Shauna Towey (1)

Subs not used: None

Designed by

  Denise Corfield

www.solihullladiesfc.moonfruit.com