Every so often a game comes along which restores your faith in the wonderfulness of football and this was just that occasion. A great advert for girls football, as good and exciting as the boys and indeed the men can deliver. Definite.
This game had everything. A comeback; injured players; hard tackling; misses; shots hitting the post; great goalkeeping; passion; Laura asking if the game was over at half-time: commitment; and above all fantastic football.
With leading goalscorer Nicola unable to find her boots, Ellie M ill, and Kiera ("I'd rather be playing football") at a wedding, the team was down to 7 fit players at kick off time. Most were there early meaning that there was good opportunity for a warm up, helped by the parents sorting out the pitch preparation.
At kick off the Waverton girls lined up with Cara in between the sticks, Ellie and Emma the defensive duo, Lily, Laura and Olivia the midfield trio and Caitlin the sole striker. Laura wore the captain's armband, which kept falling down her arm during the game, eventually mysteriously disappearing from the Queens Field altogether. The truth is out there.
Soon after kick off, disaster. A great high Ridgewood punt from the left looped high into the Waverton sky. It was picked up on the radar at Liverpool Airport air traffic control, but as Newton (Issac not Athletic) found out all things going up must come down. And so it did heading like a meteorite towards Cara's goal. Is it a bird? A plane? No its 0-1. An uphill struggle on the cards.
Waverton could have caved in easily at this point but present Caitlin with a chance and she'll do the business, even if she is hobbling. And so it was Caitlin who struck the equaliser. 1-1.
Waverton failed to clear properly before it was 2-1 and then two more Ridgewood goals and another one from Caitlin made it 2-4 at half time. Despite the scoreline the performance had been good in periods with Lily having a fantastic battle in midfield, so much so that she moved to the centre of the midfield. Ellie and Emma were tightening up at the back and things were retrievable. Emma had injured her shoulder but was absolutely awesome at the back. As solid and brave as they come, Emma showed today just why Vicars Cross loss is Waverton's absolute gain.
Mike and Heather told the girls to have faith and believe that they can win the game and they took that advice. Caitlin got another two goals knocking Nicola off top spot in the goalscorers table. Laura grabbed two as well, one a great effort from the left another a second chance when the excellent goalkeeper could only parry the save to the little Waverton player. Lily was bossing midfield and at 6-5 it looked as though Waverton would win. Caitlin had been struggling all game with an injured knee and couldn't run anymore, but at the other end Ridgewood equalised. Caitlin went in goal with Cara playing in defence (and how well she did) alongside Emma with Ellie pushing forwards. It nearly worked with Ellie running herself towards goal and then Olivia having a great chance in the last minute but she pushed the ball just too far in front of her. In the last few seconds Laura was knocked over in a collision and both girls had to have treatment.
A draw was the fair result, and all players were a credit to their clubs. It was fantastic. They should put this stuff on telly.
Laura searched the pitch after the game for the 'Respect' armband which won its battle with her arm and eventually had slid off onto the grass sometime in the second half. No sign of it. Strange business.
MOM - Olivia Rhodes, for Ridgewood Milly Powell.
Thanks to Graham at Ridgewood and all the girls for the great game. Thanks also to Matt for his time and thanks to all the Waverton parents who helped set up and take down the goals.
Same again next week please, if your heart can stand it.
