AFC Waverton 2 - Wallasey Wanderers White 10
If ever there was a measure of how far the team has improved this season it came in the last game of the year against Wallasey Wanderers White. On a hot September morning at the Delph we were thoroughly trounced 23-0 by the highflying Wanderers, but three months later the return game brought a much better performance. The Wanderers manager said afterwards that we are one of the best footballing sides that he has played in the League and praised the passing and teamwork. He said that the performance from us had served to wake up some of his girls who had become complacent of late.
With Olivia and Nicola turning up late the team had picked itself. Cara in goal, the two Ellies at the back, the hatted Kiera in the centre of the 3 man midfield with Laura and Lily either side, and captain Emma up front.
The first half started brightly but it took about 5 minutes for the visitors to gain the lead and not long after to add to it from a great header from a corner. Some of the goals conceded in the first half were unlucky (such as the high looping shot from wide on the right) but some were very classy such as the one from a great hard shot from the halfway line more akin to the adult than junior game.
Wallasey have some talented players none more so than MOM Chloe Spree who was a torment all morning with her dangerous runs. In the first half the best Waverton efforts came from Nicola and Lily who both put their shots wide of the goal. At the other end, Cara made some fantastic saves whilst in defence we were much more alert than of late, benefiting from the warm up training game beforehand.
Wanderers lost a player due to a rib injury sustained in a challenge and had to go down to six players as a result. Fortunately the injury turned out to be not as serious as feared.
In the second half the visitors scored two goals quickly, goals that should have really been prevented through clearing the ball before Nicola broke and hammered the ball into the net for one of the rare goals conceded by the Wanderers this season. Soon after another Waverton goal was scored when good work resulted in Kiera being able to knock the ball home whose face was a delight in celebration.
All in all a game we had to get out of the way and one for which all the girls can be pleased with their display.
Training this Wednesday 5:30- 6:30 and then our Christmas break.
MOM - for Waverton Kiera, for the Wanderers Chloe Spree.
