Post by thelittlerussian23 on Oct 11, 2010 18:08:03 GMT
Katri – GK
Izzy – RB
Cris – CB
Cam – CB
Alison Fletcher – LB
Chloe – RM (Sarah Newman 75mins)
Rachel – CM
Nat – CM (Alison McG 65mins)
Ellie – LM (Sarah Shard 80mins)
Amanda – CF
Belinda – CF
Coach Graham told the Rovers players before the game that any aspirations of breaking into the top four this season would mean beating the teams around them, of which Macclesfield are one. Rovers had to come from behind to do just that though – Macc’ are a team they have matched in terms of performance and endeavour in previous meetings, but had failed to beat before today. The greens made their attacking intentions clear from the off, breaking the deadlock after just five minutes; Nat finishing from inside the box through a crowd of players. And the first half was dominated by the home side in terms of possession, but they couldn’t find the finishing touch for the second goal and their profligacy in front of goal was punished by two Macclesfield goals against the run of play. The first Katri was unlucky with, a hopeful cross-cum-shot which bounced unkindly over her and dipped just under the bar. The second, another long-shot, the type of effort Rovers have been beaten with a few times this season, as they press teams higher up the field and sometimes get caught on the break.
Rovers continued to dominate for the rest of the first half; Amanda and Belinda were creating the space to pull the trigger but struggled to find their range and keep their shots down. Rachel went close with a point-blank header from Amanda’s corner and Chloe clipped the crossbar after beating the full-back and the keeper on the right-hand side. So despite enjoying the lion’s share of possession, and some good chances, Rovers found themselves behind at half-time. Graham reiterated the need for patience, and not to become frustrated with the game and each other.
It was a good twenty minutes after the restart before Rovers found the back of the net again, Macc’ were enjoying more possession by this point but they never really looked like threatening Katri’s goal again as the defence held firm. The equaliser came courtesy of a good reaction finish from Amanda when the Macc’ keeper spilled the ball in the box. It was all square for another twenty minutes or so before substitutions were made and the fresh legs gave increased energy to the Rovers attack, putting the away side on the back foot again. The breakthrough came when Amanda received the ball on the left-hand side and dribbled past a couple of defenders before placing the ball past the keeper, a fine solo goal. The three points were wrapped up when Newman sent Cam – now playing on the left-wing – away and she slotted the ball low past the keeper at her left-hand post.
Following this good start to the new campaign, Rovers are enjoying the dizzy heights of top-spot. But they face a real test of character having to play the unbeaten Wythenshawe Amateurs twice, and AFC Stockport in three of their next four league fixtures, any real ambitions of promotion will surely be tested over the coming weeks.
Players’ player of the match – Cameron. The second time she’s won it in the first six weeks of her Rovers career (career?!). Cam played in two positions today and was largely responsible alongside Cris, for the defence holding firm at two goals conceded, she also scored a goal to illustrate her attacking abilities. Well played Cam.
Izzy – RB
Cris – CB
Cam – CB
Alison Fletcher – LB
Chloe – RM (Sarah Newman 75mins)
Rachel – CM
Nat – CM (Alison McG 65mins)
Ellie – LM (Sarah Shard 80mins)
Amanda – CF
Belinda – CF
Coach Graham told the Rovers players before the game that any aspirations of breaking into the top four this season would mean beating the teams around them, of which Macclesfield are one. Rovers had to come from behind to do just that though – Macc’ are a team they have matched in terms of performance and endeavour in previous meetings, but had failed to beat before today. The greens made their attacking intentions clear from the off, breaking the deadlock after just five minutes; Nat finishing from inside the box through a crowd of players. And the first half was dominated by the home side in terms of possession, but they couldn’t find the finishing touch for the second goal and their profligacy in front of goal was punished by two Macclesfield goals against the run of play. The first Katri was unlucky with, a hopeful cross-cum-shot which bounced unkindly over her and dipped just under the bar. The second, another long-shot, the type of effort Rovers have been beaten with a few times this season, as they press teams higher up the field and sometimes get caught on the break.
Rovers continued to dominate for the rest of the first half; Amanda and Belinda were creating the space to pull the trigger but struggled to find their range and keep their shots down. Rachel went close with a point-blank header from Amanda’s corner and Chloe clipped the crossbar after beating the full-back and the keeper on the right-hand side. So despite enjoying the lion’s share of possession, and some good chances, Rovers found themselves behind at half-time. Graham reiterated the need for patience, and not to become frustrated with the game and each other.
It was a good twenty minutes after the restart before Rovers found the back of the net again, Macc’ were enjoying more possession by this point but they never really looked like threatening Katri’s goal again as the defence held firm. The equaliser came courtesy of a good reaction finish from Amanda when the Macc’ keeper spilled the ball in the box. It was all square for another twenty minutes or so before substitutions were made and the fresh legs gave increased energy to the Rovers attack, putting the away side on the back foot again. The breakthrough came when Amanda received the ball on the left-hand side and dribbled past a couple of defenders before placing the ball past the keeper, a fine solo goal. The three points were wrapped up when Newman sent Cam – now playing on the left-wing – away and she slotted the ball low past the keeper at her left-hand post.
Following this good start to the new campaign, Rovers are enjoying the dizzy heights of top-spot. But they face a real test of character having to play the unbeaten Wythenshawe Amateurs twice, and AFC Stockport in three of their next four league fixtures, any real ambitions of promotion will surely be tested over the coming weeks.
Players’ player of the match – Cameron. The second time she’s won it in the first six weeks of her Rovers career (career?!). Cam played in two positions today and was largely responsible alongside Cris, for the defence holding firm at two goals conceded, she also scored a goal to illustrate her attacking abilities. Well played Cam.