Match Report Sunday 21/03/10

WHAT A MATCH !!!

HOME : Cup game V Spartans B

What a match for the spectators…. Was end to end stuff.

Spartans B showed right from the start that they were going to give us a good game. Only 3 minutes into the game they scored the first goal of the game. The goal seemed to have stunned us, our girls seemed to be disjointed and were not passing the ball in their usual manner.

Spartans B took full advantage of this and before we knew it we were 3 goals down after 15 minutes.

On the 20th minute we could see that we had to tighten up the mid-field and stop Spartans B from over running us and countering with the low through ball. We asked Nicole Howie to move from striker back into the holding mid-field position, leaving Louise & Nicole Scott to break Spartans No 8 & 10 down. Steph Snowdon made way in mid-field for us to make this change and like for like Natalia replaced striker Nicole H up front. Five Minutes later we had our just reward, Nicole Goodwin won a free kick on the left about 25 yards from goal. Nicole Howie struck the ball into the roof of the net.

Wave after wave of attack we pressed their goal mouth, hitting the post then the bar. We were awarded a corner on the 44th minute which was well defended against, we managed to get the ball straight back from the headed clearance into the box and Spartans No2 overstretched putting the ball into the back of her own goal.

HALF TIME - Paisley Saints Girls 2 - 3 Spartans B

At the half time talk the girls were giving both coaches very positive attitudes and a strong belief and desire to get back on the field of play to win the game. They acknowledged how poor they started but were hungry to kill the game.

The girls showed some lovely link-up play, pleasing passing and good team spirit. They were keeping the ball and working hard together as a team to win the ball back any time they lost it. On the 55th minute we won yet another corner which their goalkeeper cleared, Nicole Scott took one touch and struck a thunderbolt through the ruck of players into the back of the net.

We came very close with all the play in the second half, however, in the 90th minute it looked like going to extra time when Spartans B were awarded a very debatable free kick on the edge of our box which they converted into the back of the net, as soon as the ball crossed the line the ref blew full time. One thing from both coaches: very well done a great display by all 12 players and the supporters.

FULL TIME - Paisley Saints Girls 3 - 4 Spartans B