From the first whistle Salford were feeling nervous and were put on the back foot by a very determined and well-organised Whitehaven team, within minutes Salford was a goal down. The ball was lobbed over the Salford defence, the Whitehaven forward was one on one with the keeper and poked the ball into the back of the net, 0-1.
Most of the play was in the Salford half with Whitehaven poking and prodding, trying to break through the Salford defence; but Salford pulled themselves up and dug in. With some great defending by Katie, Kim, Siobhan, and Jess Salford stayed strong until the break. Whitehaven were unlucky not to have another goal to go with all their hard work and Salford knew they had a tough second half.
In the second half, Abbie, Anne, Amy and Hannah started to take control of the midfield. Salford was gaining in confidence, Kerry and Rhea were running at the Whitehaven defence and creating chances. The second half was turning into a battle of strength, with both teams gunning for a goal. It was Salford who scored, the move started from a Salford goal kick which was brought under control by Kim who laid it back to Anne she launched the ball up field and after a scramble Rhea knocked it through to Kerry who chipped the keeper brilliantly from 25yds out. The game was now becoming frantic and Leanne the Salford keeper was making some fantastic saves. Kim had moved into midfield and Anne was helping out in defence. Rhea, Kerry and Kim were making chances but each of them were missing out on goals, Salford were continually putting Whitehaven on the back foot but with a lapse in concentration it was Siobhan’s fearless defending that stopped Whitehaven taking the three points. FULL TIME 1-1.
Salford produced some first class defending from Anne, Kim, Siobhan, and Katie. Jess had her best game of the season displaying her ability at the right moment showing exactly what was needed of her. Hannah, Abbie and Amy worked hard in midfield and a fine display of attacking football came from Rhea and Kerry who had a very encouraging debut. Leanne had another first class game. Player of the match, take your pick, but for me Siobhan just piped it, overall a great game of football from both teams.
Player of the Match Siobhan Prescott
