Good win in the cold

The Ladies 2nd XI had an early start on a frosty Old B's pitch After some discussion both captains agreed to start the game, rather than have to rearrange. The pitch actually played ok for most of the game, just getting a bit more slippery in the second half where the surface frost was melting.

Whether it was the early start, or worries about the pitch, but North started very tentatively and were pinned back by Old B's for the first five or ten minutes. The lack of consistent game time for everyone in what has been a stop start season also has not helped. However, as everyone got more confident in the pitch (and as the team woke up?) North eased the pressure on their defence and started to attack Old B's. Milli Bryant made several long runs and became a constant threat and there were good combinations of play developing all round the pitch.

The revised formation of playing Jane Thomson Bennett and Helen Riddell as twin centre backs was working well, and with Phoebe Gibson playing in a deeper midfield role to compensate for the loss of Clare Sheffield North had a good platform at the back delivering a stream of passes to the players up the pitch. Lilly and Jordaine provided solid defence on the wings.

North scored their first goal when Milli cracked home a short corner won after yet another attack, the ball dipping over the line and crashing into the back board.

After half time North were attacking the frostier part of the pitch, and the pattern of the game continued with North having the better of possession, attacking more and the North defence rarely troubled. Everyone was playing well with good touches, control and passes all round the park. It was good to see how the three youngest players, Lilly, Maddie M and Poppy are developing and Maddie Welsh also showed lots of good touches throughout.

Brooke Bassett and skipper Jo were combining well with Milli and Poppy in attack. North's second goal came after a string of passes with Jo Withers getting the final touch on the goal line.

Joanne Bickerstaffe did have to make one save in the second half to make her long trip back to help out worthwhile, and her commitment to helping was much appreciated.

No league game this coming Saturday, but a big showdown with local rivals Somerset Gryphons looms on Saturday 1st February.