Rutherford Ladies v Boldon Ladies

After a lot of rain today’s pitch was very heavy and slippery but we were keen to get another game under our belts as the close of the season approaches.

The game started well for our side seeing us on the constant attack at the Boldon goal. After only 5 minutes of play we took the lead after a free kick was awarded for a foul on striker Mel. Mel hit the ball towards the penalty spot area where a scramble between the Rutherford & Boldon players resulted in an own goal.

This goal spurred the team on to find the next which saw them keep on top of the play. Boldon broke against the run of play seeing a ball wellied forward to their striker who was around 5 yards offside. The referee hadn’t kept up with play and allowed the play to continue seeing the striker one on one with our keeper to give Boldon the equaliser. This give Boldon the upper hand and deflated our team which resulted in a huge performance dip for us. Boldon took advantage of this and took the lead for the first time in the game after a long range shot was converted in the 22nd minute.

Credit to Boldon who dominated the remainder of the half making things incredibly difficult for us.

Right before the half time break some great team football saw the ball played through to striker Mel who ran it towards the goal and seeing the keeper off her line struck the ball lobbing the keeper with a superb top right corner finish.

A few minutes later Boldon broke and a foul was made against the player with the ball so a free kick was awarded. It was a great effort from the player but keeper Charlie pulled off a superb save tipping it over the cross bar. This kept the score level as we entered the half time break.

The second half saw the girls come out with some fire in their bellies putting in a far more convincing team performance however in front of goal we weren’t being clinical enough. Boldon countered in the 65th minute completely against the run of play taking the lead for the second time in the game. Another deflation for the team but this time they kept looking for that much needed equaliser. A great tackle put in from captain Steph in the 72nd minute was deemed a penalty by the referee. The Boldon striker sent this soaring over the crossbar allowing the game still there for the taken.

Time began to run out as we approached the final minutes of the game. In the 89th minute a throw in the final third saw Ellen put in a great long ball which found striker Mel’s feet. Mel turned with the ball and beat the keeper with a superb bottom left corner finish.

The team really turned up the tempo to find the winning goal. In the 91st minute striker Mel received the ball on the edge of the box seeing her spin towards goal. She beati numerous Boldon defenders and sent the ball crashing into the bottom left corner of the goal. A brilliant goal giving Mel a well deserved hattrick.

The game ended 4-3. The girls worked hard as a team digging deep when things didn’t go their way seeing them come back from behind twice to get the much needed 3 points.

Player of the match today was awarded to Mel for her hard work and effort during the entire game. Not only when attacking but also defending when needed for her team. She scored 3 superb goals, 1 of which was the much needed winner which sealed the game for us.