Rutherford Ladies v Stockton Town Ladies

Today was the ladies first game of 2024. The weather had been very wet which made for a wet, tough surface to play on but this didn't stop the small squad today.

From the first whistle the home team domintated play rarely seeing the ball leave the oppositions half. The team created an array of chances finally scoring the first one of the game in the 10th minute of player. It was the two strikers working hard that saw us take the early lead, Mel received the ball out on the left of the pitch travelling with it towards the edge of box, as she was closed down she played it through to striking partner Alex. Alex took on numerous Stockton defenders, beating them all then finally striking the ball with her left foot sending the ball into the bottom left corner of the goal.

The game continued on for the next 20 minutes with the home side very much still on top of the game but without a reward of a goal down to Stockton defending well. In the 31st minute we got the second goal of the game seeing Ellie enter a challenge coming out with the ball, she played it upfront where striker Mel challenged the keeper for it, stealing the ball and sending it crashing into the top right hand corner of the goal.

A couple of minutes later on the 33rd minute of play striker Mel secured herself a brace receiving the ball from Ellie again but this time placing the ball into the bottom right hand corner of the goal. Another superb goal which give us the 3-0 lead as we entered the half time break.

The second half saw a performance very much like the first with us dominating the game. In the 60th minute of play winger Charlene won the ball out on the left wing finding versatile defender/midfielder Ellens feet. Ellen ran the ball into the box and sent it crashing past the Stockton keeper to make it 4-0. 7 minutes later on the attack again we were awarded a corner. Zarr put in a superb effort finding striker Mel’s head who struck the ball towards the top right corner of the goal. The Stockton keeper managed to get her fingers to it palming it away but striker Alex raced in and smashed the ball over the line bringing the game to a 5-0 lead.

In the 80th minute after lots of creative play and more chances our deadly striking duo struck again. This time it was a superb ball through from Alex finding Mel’s feet. Mel struck the ball beating the keeper with a bottom left corner finish and bagging herself a well deserved hattrick.

Less than 2 minutes after the 6th goal winger Zarr played a brilliant through ball to Mel seeing her run it into the box and smash it into the back of the net with a fabulous right footed striker. This ended the game 7-0 and give Mel her 4th goal of the game.

A brilliant team performance by the side who couldn’t have had a better opening to the new year.

Player of the match was awarded to Mel for her 4 brilliant and well take goals as well as her constant work rate and pressure for the entire game!