The clash of the yellows, except Heygarth had kindly arranged to play in their second strip of light blue to avoid the confusion of players, the referee, parents and the man on the roof. More of him later. And very nice Heygarth looked in the blue strip too.
With only six Waverton wonders in Eastham with a minute to kick off, a repeat of the Caitlin at Greenleas affair was looking on the cards. However, Olivia was not lost, just at the wrong ground and was being driven at high speed down to the very twee sounding Plymyards field.
The referee being a nice young chap gave us an extra five minutes to wait for Olivia and so we were happy. More time for Cara's jokes.
With no subs and no sign of Nicola or Aimee on the horizon, the team picked itself. Cara in Germany away kit (football kit that is) was in goal of course, Ellie R and the returning Emma were the Guardians at the back, K and the 2Ls were the Expresses in the middle with Olivia the red topped Star raring to be unleashed up front.
Waverton got the early breakthrough when a few minutes into the game, Kiera slotted the ball home, a 'gift of a goal' according to the Heygarth coaches. After that though Heygarth looked very keen and were not in the mood for being beaten. Our girls though were still not really sorting themselves out. There were missed kicks, misplaced passes, missed tackles, dropped bobbles and a strange desire to keep coming to grab a drink from the touchline (in February?). Thirsty work this football lark as Lisa and Julie noted from the touchline, wondering where the nearest coffee shop was.
Halfway through the half things still looked a little disorderly, quite different to some of the excellent 'on the ground' football played this season against some of the really good sides. There was only one team though who was going to bag the next goal and it wasn't Waverton. Except it was, with Olivia smashing the ball into the net following a good run. 2-0 and Lily nearly made it 3 with a great run but the shot was just too weak.
Heygarth wouldn't give up and took advantage of some ball watching and failure to be positive in our own box to make it 2-1. Game on as they say.
At the halftime break there was much talk. Lots of it and most of it one way. Olivia needed her laces tightening. Kiera changed back into her original new white boots after putting on her old blue boots halfway through the half after shouting that the shoe shop had sold her the wrong size!
Cara wanted to show everyone her slides (not the hair ones) and wanted to come out of goal for part of the second half. Suddenly there was a rush of excuses from the rest. Everyone had oddly developed problems with their arms or elbows and one was on the verge of producing a Doctor's Note which said that under no circumstances should this girl be allowed to play in goal as it would lead to a case of serious injury or worse. Fortunately captain Kiera showed some leadership and volunteered to take the last 10 mins in goal. Well done Kiera, it hasn't gone unnoticed.
In the second half the team were given 5 mins to score another or it was Plan B. And Plan B it was. Olivia and Emma swapped positions with Emma having opportunities to put the ball into the net and Olivia having opportunties to come forward with the ball from the back. It worked when soon after the change, Olivia set up Laura who attacked down the right and her narrow angle shot was deflected into the net. 3-1. Will that be enough.
The man up the ladder on the nearby house ventured gingerly onto the roof. Spectators feared disaster, even worse an Ellie rocket clearance knocking his ladder away.
Heygarth tried very hard to get back into it and played really well. Kiera dropped into goal and made a tremendous save. Ellie moved into midfield and was unlucky not to get on the score sheet after some excellent runs and interchanges with Lily. It was a great encounter and all credit to everyone on the field. Emma Gould in the United goal was very brave and in superb form and rightly was awarded MOM.
Job done as they say on Match of the Day. Three points in the bag, we'd have taken this at kick off, and all that.
MOM - for AFC Waverton Kiera Berry, for Heygarth Emma Gould.
Thanks to the coaches and the girls at Heygarth. Good luck for the rest of the season.
Training with the U16s this Monday again at the High School gym 6-7. We'll be outside soon though, Spring's coming. Yipee. Enjoy the weekend.
