Washington Ladies v Rutherford Ladies [Friendly]

Today we played Washington Ladies away in a last minute pre season friendly. The team compete in the league above us so it was another good test for us.

We took the lead after only 8 minutes of play seeing the Washington keeper take a goal kick which she played towards the edge of box to a team mate. Striker Mel’s pressured the defender seeing her excellent work rate steal the ball and finishes it with a fantastic well worked right footed strike.

Less than two minutes after our first goal we saw some brilliant work rate from striker Alex against a Washington defender where she stole the ball, playing it through to Zarr out on the left wing. Zarr ran in to box with the ball and squared it back to Alex who beats the keeper with a well executed left corner finish.

The girls were on a role grabbing their third goal of the game in the 13th minute of play from a corner which was put in so well from Zarr right towards the keepers line, it was knocked in by a Washington defender. Corridor of uncertainty is the key.

The girls kept on top of the game creating an array of chances at goal but just not being quite clinical enough in that final third. They kept trying to do the right things and managed to convert their fourth goal of the game in the 31st minute of play. Full back Ellen drove the ball to the edge of box, crossing it in towards the penalty spot area. Striker Alex raced in pressuring the keeper in a 1v1. She managed to knock the ball past keeper to win herself a tap in.

The girls had a well earned break as they entered the half time interval with a superb 4-0 lead.

The second half the girls were pretty much still on top of the game but a long ball over the top of our defence from the Washington keeper saw them claw back a goal on the 49th minute. The team couldn’t have reacted better to this working hard to ensure no other goals were conceded and looking to widen the 3 goal lead with some excellent team play.

In the 69th minute of play saw hardworking Mel receive the ball from full back Ellie and played a lovely pass forward to Hannah who travelled towards box. The Washington keeper raced out wiping Hannah out in what can only be described as a brutal effort for the ball where thankfully Hannah didn’t sustain an injury. A penalty was awarded rightly so and Hannah sent it crashing into the top left hand corner of the goal.

In the 81st minute of play we were awarded a corner from our pressure at goal. Alex stepped up to take the corner drilling it along floor towards the edge of box. Zarr races in and strikes the ball sending it crashing into the top left corner of the goal.

The game ended 6-1 to us in what was one of the teams best performances we have seen, keeping the ball down with loads of triangles and passing and moving and looking strong in all parts of the pitch.

Player of the match was awarded to Zarr for her unreal work rate for entire game. She scored two great goals, was constantly creating attacking play for the entire 90 mins and defending when needed. Absolute solid headache for the Washington team.

We now prepare for Wallsend BC Ladies on Sunday!

Well done girls ⚽️❤️