Post by thelittlerussian23 on Feb 1, 2011 19:02:01 GMT
Katri – GK
Izzy – RB (Niamh 75 mins)
Cris – CB (capt)
Alison F – CB (Newman 65 mins)
Kath – LB
Ellie – LM
Alison McG – CM (Nat 60 mins)
Rachel – CM
Chloe – RM
Belinda – CF
Amanda – CF
The second meeting between these two sides was made harder for themselves by Rovers than it might have been. It was the classic game of two halves, the greens starting quite slowly, and finding themselves two goals down before they had broken sweat. On a small, sloping and hard pitch Rovers struggled to keep the ball in the opening half and were unable to string any number of passes together, the ball often running away from them towards AFC’s penalty area. Whilst AFC did not have a great deal of possession they managed to find the back of the net twice after quick breakaways. At half time coach Graham reminded the players that they’ve got a good chance to be successful in this League Cup competition and that it was up to them to put the first half behind them and show what they are made of, with an improved performance in the second half.
Rovers were a lot more focused and determined in the second half and played like they wanted to win and that they believed in themselves. Graham told the team to pin AFC into their own half as much as possible and to pressure them higher up the pitch, it was a tactic which worked and Rovers were soon enjoying more possession in and around the opposition area. The breakthrough came when Rovers’ improved passing game led to a chance for Amanda in the box which she made no mistake with, a typical poacher’s goal. Convinced Rovers could get something from the game, Graham changed to a 3-4-3 formation, the increased attacking emphasis and Niamh on as the extra striker started to pay dividends as Rovers were now creating far more chances. A foul on Chloe then presented Amanda with the chance to bend it like Beckham from around 25 yards out and really test the keeper. The resulting effort was more Roberto Carlos though as her bullet of a shot was hit high and hard, over the keeper and just under the bar. Game on. Rovers were now believing that they could take all three points after a vastly improved second-half display, unfortunately though the clock was ticking, and so it ended a point apiece.
Having seen Wythenshawe come from two behind to beat them a fortnight ago, Rovers knew that this kind of comeback could be done and from a match writer’s point of view, the second half performance on Sunday was one of Rovers’ best showings of the season so far. As Graham said, let’s not leave ourselves so much to do next time!
Players’ player of the match – Katri. Katri is starting to dominate her penalty area much more and she made a couple of quality saves to keep Rovers in the game. Well played Katri.
Izzy – RB (Niamh 75 mins)
Cris – CB (capt)
Alison F – CB (Newman 65 mins)
Kath – LB
Ellie – LM
Alison McG – CM (Nat 60 mins)
Rachel – CM
Chloe – RM
Belinda – CF
Amanda – CF
The second meeting between these two sides was made harder for themselves by Rovers than it might have been. It was the classic game of two halves, the greens starting quite slowly, and finding themselves two goals down before they had broken sweat. On a small, sloping and hard pitch Rovers struggled to keep the ball in the opening half and were unable to string any number of passes together, the ball often running away from them towards AFC’s penalty area. Whilst AFC did not have a great deal of possession they managed to find the back of the net twice after quick breakaways. At half time coach Graham reminded the players that they’ve got a good chance to be successful in this League Cup competition and that it was up to them to put the first half behind them and show what they are made of, with an improved performance in the second half.
Rovers were a lot more focused and determined in the second half and played like they wanted to win and that they believed in themselves. Graham told the team to pin AFC into their own half as much as possible and to pressure them higher up the pitch, it was a tactic which worked and Rovers were soon enjoying more possession in and around the opposition area. The breakthrough came when Rovers’ improved passing game led to a chance for Amanda in the box which she made no mistake with, a typical poacher’s goal. Convinced Rovers could get something from the game, Graham changed to a 3-4-3 formation, the increased attacking emphasis and Niamh on as the extra striker started to pay dividends as Rovers were now creating far more chances. A foul on Chloe then presented Amanda with the chance to bend it like Beckham from around 25 yards out and really test the keeper. The resulting effort was more Roberto Carlos though as her bullet of a shot was hit high and hard, over the keeper and just under the bar. Game on. Rovers were now believing that they could take all three points after a vastly improved second-half display, unfortunately though the clock was ticking, and so it ended a point apiece.
Having seen Wythenshawe come from two behind to beat them a fortnight ago, Rovers knew that this kind of comeback could be done and from a match writer’s point of view, the second half performance on Sunday was one of Rovers’ best showings of the season so far. As Graham said, let’s not leave ourselves so much to do next time!
Players’ player of the match – Katri. Katri is starting to dominate her penalty area much more and she made a couple of quality saves to keep Rovers in the game. Well played Katri.