Alderley Edge Ladies 1 v Brooklands Ladies 3 (1 – 1)

The team was still looking for their first points of the season, in spite of some spirited and improved performances over the first few weeks. Before the match, and looking at Alderley’s results, it did not look as though the team would break its duck.
Team Captain Pamela Dixon, made a few postional changes, which, could on paper, push some of the teams boundaries, but she went for the attack and the changes were inspirational to the outcome of the game. Against the odds, the team started well and was managing to cope with Alderley’s attacks, and was even putting together some good forward play.
However, mid-way through the first half, the (perhaps) inevitable happened and Alderley scored. Would this be the start of a goal fest for Alderley? The emphatic answer was no! The Brooklands’ players dug in and started to put together some innovative forward moves using the entire width of the pitch with flair and imagination! And then, Michelle scored and it was 1-1. The Brooklands’ players were ecstatic to have scored their first goal of the season, in the right goal net, but could they keep this up in the second half. The answer was yes, and Brooklands continued to defend stoutly and move the ball forward to create some good attacking opportunities.
New to the team was Schoolgirl Sophie who played an outstanding game and gave the team width down the right side, and ran her wee heart out.

There were a few nerve jangling moments towards the end of the match as Brooklands had to defend a number of short corners. Heartbeats could be heard by our support at the sidelines and even they were holding thier breadths, but the team held on for their first point of the season. The final whistle at last came, with a huge scream and jumping for joy by team captain Pam; one would have thought she had just won a Gold medal at the Olympics!!! and jumping onto her players beaming and congratulating at just how well her team played. Even the opposition were giving her funny looks!!!
A particularly satisfying result considering that Alderley’s coach was Brooklands’ ladies coach last season, and indeed we was not a happy man!!!. Sorry Paul, but that did give is huge delight and i'm sure you would not grudge us our celebrations!!

Our woman of the match was Natasha Elston playing for the first time in the midfield “playmaker” role. Tasha played the game of her life, and clearly we have found a niche new position for her.

Thanks must go to Alderley Edge for the most wonderful teas, which were most enjoyed, and set up the night for some of our more mature ladies to celebrate the draw back at the club house with a few wee drinks that lasted the night. Indeed, much was the hype of our celebrations that we just had to gate crash a 30th birthday party and show them just how to party. A very good night was definatley had!!