The girls were down to the hardcore seven today as a result of family commitments and a late night with an indie band. Didn't have this in the u12s. They were all tucked up in bed by 8:30.
With Lucie lost on the Wirral, at 11am there were only six in the warm up at Irby Mill. Caitlin talked of 'dynamic stretches' but Kiera said 'we'll do static stretches'. Top sports science debates for this team.
Fortunately Lucie made it just in time for the kick off. So the seven on show were the still puffing Lucie, Lily and Emma at the back, Kiera in the middle with Ellie and new goal machine Rebecca alongside and Caitlin leading the line up front.
The pitch was big. The goals were big. All pointing to a high scoring game and lots of action for our Lucie. From the start the girls looked comfortable and could have taken the lead. It was however the home side who took got in front and increased it to 4-0 by half time. This was undeserved as Waverton had played really well, taking nothing away from Irby of course.
Rebecca should have scored at the far post from a cross from the right. Oooh so close. Caitlin hit the post, rather her shot did. Ellie was unlucky with a run down the right that hit the side netting. Shots went wide but mainly straight at the excellent home 'keeper, just when one into the corner would have been a certain goal.
Straight from the restart, Waverton grabbed the game by the scruff of its neck. Straight from the kick off Caitlin ran all the way through from the centre and blasted the ball into the top corner. Her dad had offered her £20 for a hatrick. She should have offered the Irby 'keeper a fiver and job done.
4-1 and back in it. Irby scored again though but Ellie then thumped home a great shot from a narrow angle following a Kiera free kick. The home side grabbed a couple of other goals where Lucie stopped the ball hitting the net, but not crossing the line. Hard luck Lucie.
The only pumped up Irby ball owned was kicked into a neighbouring garden and the referee asked to borrow the Waverton ball. Don't you dare lose that one. We started with 12 balls this season and now only have 8. A Caitlin corner whizzed along the goal line and the in rushing Emma was very unlucky not to get the touch to score in successive games. A thumping Caitin free kick was well saved by Mackenzie Allen and her delight in saving it brought the best smile of the day.
With no subs to put on, the Waverton girls had tired after a full hours running. Emma was dead on her feet and struggling with a sore hamstring and Kiera, Caitlin and Ellie not far behind in the tired stakes. Water was called for. Water was given. We could have done with the fresh player. Rebecca hassled players three times her size. Lily ran and ran in both defence and midfield and Lucie was as brave as always. We got the short kicks right and used them to attack down the wide wide plains of Irby with Emma doing this job brilliantly.
The scoreline didn't reflect the game, but Irby did well. Waverton though played very well and had at least as much possession as the home side. Being a bit more clinical in front of goal would have brought us a hatful of goals. Well done girls.
We'll meet Irby again in three weeks at Waverton, following two games against Upton and Greenleas. This could be a good month for football.
Player of the match - Lucie (5th time this season) and for Irby, Mackenzie Allen
Training at the school 7-8 on Monday. See you there.
