Post by thelittlerussian23 on Oct 4, 2010 17:26:26 GMT
Katri – GK
Izzy – RB (Sarah Shard 45mins)
Cris – CB
Cameron – CB
Alison McG – LB
Chloe – RM (Kate 85mins)
Rachel – CM
Nat – CM
Ellie – LM (Alison Fletcher 80mins)
Amanda – CF
Belinda – CF
Rovers continued their strong start to the season with a victory over a team that has also started well this term. The first half was a very even affair, with few real chances falling to either team and the respective midfields cancelling each other out. Rovers had one or two long-range efforts but the visitors defended well in the first half and the home side had to be patient. This was not as one-sided as previous games Rovers have played in the early part of the season; Stockport created a few chances themselves and Cameron and Cris had to be alert at the back to deal with any threat. Katri played well between the sticks, quick off her line and handled the ball well, that along with a more solid and better organised defence than in previous years bodes well for the goals against column, come the end of the season.
Honours were even at half-time, coach Graham’s team-talk advised the players to be patient, but to continue playing the same way, and the chances would come. However, the game was balanced on a knife-edge and Rovers could not afford to concede early in the second half. Stockport were the stronger team after the re-start, putting pressure on Rovers in the first ten minutes with a number of corners. Rovers weathered the storm though and began to get their passing going and moving the ball well high up the field. The breakthrough came after about an hour, Amanda, wide on the left, controlled the ball on her chest and went on a strong run, beating the full-back and finishing low past the keeper from an acute angle. Stockport then made a number of substitutions and had some joy down their left; however they couldn’t turn that possession into goals and lacked a real cutting edge up front.
Rovers should’ve doubled the deficit when Belinda’s cross from the left was met in mid-air by Chloe, but she couldn’t keep her volley down and blazed it over the bar, much to the relief of the stranded keeper. The team in green did ensure they would enjoy the spoils though when Rachel’s corner fell to Nat in the box and she made no mistake with the finish. Rovers are now joint top of the league, albeit having played one game more, but nevertheless a good start. They started the season aiming to better the fifth place finish of last season, but recently all the post-match pub talk has been of a possible push for promotion. Watch this space...
Players’ player of the match – Rachel. Rachel was at her best this week, providing energy in midfield and involved in most of Rovers best moves, unlucky not to have scored after hitting the post in the first-half. Well played Rach.
Izzy – RB (Sarah Shard 45mins)
Cris – CB
Cameron – CB
Alison McG – LB
Chloe – RM (Kate 85mins)
Rachel – CM
Nat – CM
Ellie – LM (Alison Fletcher 80mins)
Amanda – CF
Belinda – CF
Rovers continued their strong start to the season with a victory over a team that has also started well this term. The first half was a very even affair, with few real chances falling to either team and the respective midfields cancelling each other out. Rovers had one or two long-range efforts but the visitors defended well in the first half and the home side had to be patient. This was not as one-sided as previous games Rovers have played in the early part of the season; Stockport created a few chances themselves and Cameron and Cris had to be alert at the back to deal with any threat. Katri played well between the sticks, quick off her line and handled the ball well, that along with a more solid and better organised defence than in previous years bodes well for the goals against column, come the end of the season.
Honours were even at half-time, coach Graham’s team-talk advised the players to be patient, but to continue playing the same way, and the chances would come. However, the game was balanced on a knife-edge and Rovers could not afford to concede early in the second half. Stockport were the stronger team after the re-start, putting pressure on Rovers in the first ten minutes with a number of corners. Rovers weathered the storm though and began to get their passing going and moving the ball well high up the field. The breakthrough came after about an hour, Amanda, wide on the left, controlled the ball on her chest and went on a strong run, beating the full-back and finishing low past the keeper from an acute angle. Stockport then made a number of substitutions and had some joy down their left; however they couldn’t turn that possession into goals and lacked a real cutting edge up front.
Rovers should’ve doubled the deficit when Belinda’s cross from the left was met in mid-air by Chloe, but she couldn’t keep her volley down and blazed it over the bar, much to the relief of the stranded keeper. The team in green did ensure they would enjoy the spoils though when Rachel’s corner fell to Nat in the box and she made no mistake with the finish. Rovers are now joint top of the league, albeit having played one game more, but nevertheless a good start. They started the season aiming to better the fifth place finish of last season, but recently all the post-match pub talk has been of a possible push for promotion. Watch this space...
Players’ player of the match – Rachel. Rachel was at her best this week, providing energy in midfield and involved in most of Rovers best moves, unlucky not to have scored after hitting the post in the first-half. Well played Rach.