<p>Winsford had their best result of the season so far on
Sunday, when they beat Manchester Stingers for the very first
time. This is the Ladies teams 4th season in this league and
have played Manchester Stingers on seven previous occasions,
six in the League and once in the League Cup, but were unable
to take any points, although a couple of the games did go very
close. I.e. Losing 4 - 3 twice!!</p>
<p>The Ladies squad for Sunday, was made up of the following:
Jessica Moore in nets.
The Defence was Rachel Stockall, Emma Johnson, Hanna Hewitson
and Kathryn Hulme.
The Mid-field was Jay Anderson, Danielle Lydiate, Kylie Kettle
and Anna Watt.
And Winsford's striker's were Amy Hughes and Sarah Lee.
Substitute's were : Chloe Grierson.</p>
<p>Winsford knew that today's match was going to be a hard,
physical match, so everyone had to be ready to do battle,
which they were. The whole team went straight at it from the
first whistle.</p>
<p>The Ladies worked hard and kept possession for as long as
possible and when they weren't in pssession, they worked just
as hard to get the ball back. Both teams wanted to win, but
Winsford really had the bit between their teeth.</p>
<p>Winsford kept pressing forward and made sure that the home
side were pinned in their own half. The Ladies put Stingers
under lots of early pressure, created several good chances,
but just couldn't find the finishing touch.</p>
<p>However, it was from one of Winsford's shooting opportunities
early in the first half that Manchester Stingers got their
break. The keeper had saved the shot and had the ball in her
hands. The Stingers keeper kicked the ball straight down the
middle of the pitch and what happened next was almost rehearsed.
As the ball bounced just inside the home sides half, the
Stingers centre midfielder turned as it bounced over her head
and unchallenged, took it on the half volley. The Stingers
stiker was already on the move and darted straight between
the two Winsford centre backs, who were holding a high line,
leaving them cold. Winsford's keeper Moore came out to
intercept the ball before the striker got to it, which she did.
But as she tried to clear the ball, it ricocheted off the
striker and past Moore, which allowed the striker to run onto
it and tap it into an empty net. The Ladies were gutted to go
behind so early in the game, but they kept their heads and went
straight to work to get themselves back in the game.</p>
<p>Manchester Stingers 1 - 0 Winsford Ladies F.C.</p>
<p>The goal for the home side spurred them on and they raised
their game pressing for a second goal. Winsford soaked up the
pressure, with both the defence and midfield working hard to
get the ball back and then to keep possession, so that they
could apply pressure to the Stingers defence.</p>
<p>Winsford started to regain some control and put the home
sides defence under pressure every time the Ladies team got
the ball. But unfortunately for the Stingers keeper, her
time on the pitch was brought to an abrupt end, when during
one of these attacking moves into their 18-yard box, the
Stingers keeper clashed with Lee in a 50/50 challenge for
the ball. Although neither player went to ground to win the
ball, the Stingers keeper landed awkwardly and turned her
ankle.</p>
<p>Once the Stingers keeper had been helped from the pitch
and a stand in keeper was in position, the game resumed.</p>
<p>Winsford kept pressing forward every time they had the
ball, keeping the Stingers defence on their toes and creating
shooting chances whenever possible. In fact, the Ladies
dominated for a while, keeping the home side pinned back in
their own half.</p>
<p>It wasn't long before the Ladies sustained pressure was
rewarded with a penalty, following a hand ball from a Winsford
cross into the 18-yard box. Lee took responsibility and set
the ball down. The whistle blew and Lee confidently slotted
the ball into the back of the net, giving the Stingers stand
in keeper no chance.</p>
<p>Manchester Stingers 1 - 1 Winsford Ladies F.C.</p>
<p>This goal raised Winsford's heads and they kept the pressure
up for the rest of the first half. Winsford created several
more scoring chances, with only the keeper and some poor
finishing keeping the Ladies from taking the lead.</p>
<p>Half Time score Manchester Stingers 1 - 1 Winsford Ladies F.C.</p>
<p>The management took the half time break to ask the players
what their thoughts were on the first half and what they
thought was needed in the second half. Both management and
players knew that they had the beating of the home side, but
to do this they had to raise their game even further, keep
the ball as long as possible, if we lose possession then get
the ball back, keep closing down.</p>
<p>The home side came out after the half time break with renewed
energy and really did everything that they could to get that
illusive second goal. Winsford pressed forward and kept causing
the StingerS defence problems when they had the ball, but it was
all hands to the pumps when they were defending.</p>
<p>Winsford played some fantastic passing football when they were
in possession, with Lee, Kettle, Lydiate and Hughes causing the
home side all manner of problems.</p>
<p>It was from one of these periods of possession that Winsford
scored the winning goal. Following a series of one touch passes
between Lydiate, Kettle and Lee, the ball was put straight into
the path of Hughes, who struck the ball first time. It wasn't
the cleanest strike, but it was enough to put it beyond the stand
in Stingers keeper and into the back of the net.</p>
<p>Manchester Stingers 1 - 2 Winsford Ladies F.C.</p>
<p>Winsford's defence and Midfield worked extremely hard during
the game to keep the home side at bay, but the two players who
shone the most were Hughes up front, who worked tirelessly and
scored the goal which earned Winsford the three points and Moore
in nets, who with out a doubt kept the Ladies team in the game
with some amazing saves.</p>
<p>The whole team should take pride in the result against
Stingers, as their efforts and determined display, definitely
deserved all three points.</p>
<p>The final score was Manchester Stingers 1 - 2 Winsford Ladies F.C.</p>
<p>Winsford's next match is at home to Brazil, on Sunday,
9th October 2011. Kick-Off 2pm.</p>
<p>Well done to Amy Hughes, who was given Winsford's Girl
of the Match Award.</p>