Despite very wet conditions, both teams served up an entertaining game.
Wyrley gave debuts to: –
Becky Jones – who plays for Stourbridge Ladies and has played for Aston Villa and Ferndale
Lauren Gilbert – who also plays for Stourbridge and has played for WBA
We welcome them both and their families. With the absence of Emily Quimby and Leah Fanning skiing and Hayley Turner injured, the girls were welcome recruits.
Wyrley scored after 10 minutes kicking up the slope with a good strike from Jemma Clews from inside the box. Sophie Shorrock added a second after a fine through ball from Saff Hicken. A number of Wyrley half chances were spurned and Marston Green had a chance when a deflected effort went past the post.
Wyrley had the greater of possession in the second half with the slope and had a number of chances, particularly when the keeper was rounded twice but the finishing touch was not added. Wyrley almost paid for these misses, when a fine strike was hit home under the bar with 9 minuted remaining. Rachel Hall settled the game by taking the ball from her own half after a clearance from a corner, and firing inside the near post.
Highlights for each girl as follows: –
Nia Jay – could do nothing about the goal and dealt comfortably with shots that went straight at her.
Saff Hicken – again some good passing to the front girls
Cath Davis – her usual confident self and had a chance to score from a corner
Amy Marshall – was moved across the back four as she can play in any position and was effective in everything she did
Shan Markland – a good performance and used her strength to keep her opponent at bay
Laura Cumberledge – had a number of darting runs into the box
Dom McKee – the conditions suited her as her power and running was evident
Beth Crook – captain for the day and had a solid game
Laura Lindsay – Birthday girl showed no ill effects from her party the night before and probably played her best game for the team, with an excellent all round display
Sophie Shorrock – took her goal well and had a couple of difficult half chances
Jemma Clews – another very good performance, dispatched confidently her goal and caused problems all game
Rachel Hall – a tremendous goal, good enough to win any game
Lauren Gilbert – a good start in a Wyrley shirt, making a number of well timed tackles
Becky Jones – moved to the right in the second half and her linking up with Jemma was vey pleasing to see as her confidence grew.
A solid performance, particularly with a number of girls feeling the effect of the night before! Wyrley now turn their attention away from league action to 2 Cup semi finals over the next 2 Saturdays.