Rutherford Ladies v Darlington Spraire Ladies [Sub Final]

Today we faced Darlington Spraire Ladies at home in the Subsidiary Cup. With last week being the league Cup Final and seeing Darlington beat us for the third time this season their was no pressure on us to get anything out of today's game.

The game started very well for us seeing us start very much like the final the previous week with us having most of the possession and really pressuring at our opponents goal. The difference this week was that we put away those chances with the first goal being scored within 7 minutes of play. Fantastic hard working and skilful player Murray beat numerous Darlington players on her travel towards goal, she was closed down so played a terrific ball through to speedy, talented winger Armstrong who belted a great shot at the goal, the keeper somehow palmed it away but Armstrong followed it up and managed to hit the back of the net. This was the goal we needed but we also knew that the next goal scored was crucial.

In the 17th minute of play and after numerous chances at goal we scored our second goal. This time it was fast feet Montgomery who created the goal finding Murray who put the ball straight past the Darlington keeper with ease. Darlington looked deflated but they knew they needed to get a goal back quick to get back in the game. Most of the possession and chances were by the home team but Darlington were always a threat on their attacks. Finally in the 38th minute of the half their centre midfielder picked up the ball and send it crashing past our keeper. This give them a good chance to come back into it. The girls worked hard to find another goal but time ran out and half time had soon arrived.

Both teams had a well earned rest and headed back out for the second half. From the first kick of the ball we took the upper hand and really got at our opponents. We found that crucial goal we needed within 10 minutes of play and the team were ecstatic at this fact. Hardworking winger Fairbairn put in a tremendous cross finding grafter Turnball who smacked the ball straight into the back of the net. Some of the Darlington team looked deflated and our girls took advantage of this fact and really hammered at their goal. In the final 20 minutes of play we netted another three times seeing Armstrong get her brace and Murray her hattrick. We also managed to get all of our subs on which has never been known against a team this strong.

Player of the match was awarded to Loraine for her fantastic effort and performance for the entire game. She swept up perfectly when Darlington attacked and kept the back four nice and tight at all times.

Overall, a brilliant team performance where each and every player on the team worked hard for each other and never give up. We put our chances away this week and what a difference it made to us. Well done lasses... just brilliant.