With no subs for the second week running, the atmosphere was a bit tense at 10:50 with only 4 yellow shirted juniors ready to do battle against the whole Irby squad. Fortunately sat navs were thrown out of the window and with minutes to spare, the remainder of the team appeared at Irby Mill. The playing field is a pleasant little park in Irby village.
Kiera had been ill all week and asked to start off in goal with Cara playing out in defence alongside Ellie R. Lily continued where she left off last week in the centre of midfield with Emma and Laura wide and Nicola up front. Irby are a good team, all Y9 girls and who are flying very high in the league.
For the first 10 minutes or so, Waverton held their own although Kiera had to be sharp to keep them out. But keep them out she did and everything looked possible. Halfway through the half though Irby got the lead, doubled it and added another. Heads down, but soon raised when great work from skipper Lily found Laura on the left and she somehow managed to squeeze her shot between the post and 'keeper. She has a knack of scoring goals like this. Halftime and certainly not all lost.
Kiera came out for the second half with Cara going into goal. Nicola was brought back into the centre of the midfield to try to block them coming through. Soon after the restart though, a great shot just beat Cara although she was so unlucky not to stop it diving fantastically to her left.
Lily nearly got one back for Waverton before some more Irby goals flew in, one an absolute peach of a shot which would have been in the Dee Estuary had it not been stopped by the net. Near the end though Emma, who had been magnificent all game had an amazing run starting from inside her own half on the left side. Reminiscent of John Barnes' wondergoal in the Maracana against Brazil in the 1980s (what do you mean you don't remember it?), she jinked one way then the other then feinted this way and that way, beating at least 5 Brazilian Irbyites on the way before hitting a shot which was unfortunately saved by the 'keeper. A brilliant run which deserved a goal and led to the referee coming over to Emma after the game and telling her so.
Nicola hurt her hamstring, Laura and Kiera both got knocks and all bravely carried on as there were no subs to replace them. Kiera was also not fully fit due to still recovering from a cold. Looks like a busy morning in the AFC Waverton treatment room on Monday.
This was always going to be a difficult game against the Irby A side, but all credit to the Waverton girls for sticking with it and Irby coach Rob came over to talk to the girls at the end to say so. He gave MOM to Kiera but had praise for all of the girls. You've got the love, you've got the Irby love.
Learning points from the game were:
- We definitely need more players to join the squad. For the second week running we carried injured players who should have really had a rest.
- We have to get the goal kicks better sorted, as 4 of their goals came from our goal kicks not getting out of our half. We will work on this in training next Saturday.
- Don't get disheartened by it, Irby are all Y9 girls who are physically stronger and bigger than our girls. Look at our league position and be proud of what the team has achieved this season.
MOM - Kiera, for Irby - Laura Shone for her brilliant defensive display.
Training at Christleton with Robbie this Monday 6-7.
There is no game next Saturday so, after consultation with the girls and parents, there will be a training session for all the squad 11-12:30 at Waverton next Saturday. Please arrive on time.
