Winsford ladies were determined to take all three points on Sunday
against Airbus and they did, in emphatic style.
The weather had been awful for the past week, with some heavy rain
and high winds, which didn't let up during the game. And although the
game was allowed to be played, the weather had taken it's toll on the
pitch at the Barton Stadium, as it was heavy going for both sides.
Airbus were unfortunate to have only turned with 10 players on Sunday,
as they struggled against a Winsford side that were in good form and
definitely were not taking any prisoners.
The game kicked off and Winsford got straight to work, with the first
goal coming after just 5 minutes following some very nice passing football.
Lydiate picked the ball up just outsdie the Airbus 18-yard box and beat
the keeper with a lovely weighted shot which dipped just under the crossbar.
Winsford's second goal came just 2 minutes later and was a mirror image
of the first, when the Ladies won the ball back virtually from the kick off
and with some exceptional build up play between Ashleigh Kerr, Sarah Lee
and Lydiate. Their movement and passing of the ball, allowed Lydiate time to
shoot and beat the Airbus keeper from exactly the same place.
The Winsford back four of Catherine Southern, Kathryn Hulme, Hanna Hewitson
and Leanne Hudson had'nt really seen the ball for the first 15 minutes as it
was evident that Airbus weren't posing any problems to the Winsford defence, so
Hewitson was moved out wide on the right wing, where she created mayhem with
her pace. Hewitson consolidated an already dominant midfield of Vicky Jones,
Kylie Kettle, Lee and Lydiate.
Winsford's midfield showed experience, confidence and tenacity throughout
the game, offering no quarter to the depleted, very young and in-experienced
Airbus side. Both Emma Hazel and Kerr up front for Winsford, were causing the
Airbus defence all manner of problems, with some very nice passing football.
The Ladies kept up the pressure for the whole of the first half, giving the
Airbus side no time on the ball, making them rush and make mistakes and only
allowing them three shots, only one of which troubled Jessica Moore, the
Winsford keeper. But Moore was equal to the shot and made an outstanding,
full stretch save to her left, to push the ball round the post.
The Airbus side just couldn't cope with Winsford's constant barrage of flowing
moves and countless shots.
When the half-time whistle came, the Ladies were in a very comfortable position,
with additional goals from Hewitson, Jones, Kerr, Kettle and Lee, putting Winsford
7 - 0 up going into the break.
Winsford started the second half as they did the first, with a hunger for more
goals. But the Airbus side had other ideas and put in a guttsy performance to
keep Winsford from running riot again an stopping the game from being a
complete rout.
Both substitutes, of Emma McNeil and Natasha Handy were brought on for Hudson
and Southern, with 30 minutes of the second half still left to play. And both
got straight into the thick of the action.
The weather deteriorated during the second half and so the did the pitch, as the
pitch became sticky and heavy under foot. In fairness, this helped the Airbus side
out, as it slowed Winsford's game down.
Winsford weren't finished with the goals and scored two more, which came from
Kerr and Lee.
Airbus managed to bag a concellation goal, which was scored following an
uncharacteristic mistake by the Winsford defence, which was also compounded by the
condition of the pitch.
However, Winsford had the last say, when Kettle tapped home from close range.
The game ended with a final score of Winsford Ladies 10 - 1 Airbus UK. The
scoreline would have been much higher if it wasn't for the Airbus keeper, who
was in top form, pulling off save after save and keeping the score as low as
it ended.
Winsford's scorers on the day were Danielle Lydiate (2), Hanna Hewitson (1),
Ashleigh Kerr (2), Kylie Kettle (2), Vicky Jone (1) and Sarah Lee (2). With
Jones also being nomiated "Girl Of The Match" for Winsford.