The third outing for the girls in their first season saw them take on a tough Penkridge side, eager to avenge the 3-0 defeat they suffered at their hands a week earlier. Penkridge brought along some familiar faces from that game, so we could expect a tough match, but Wyrley had learned a thing or two from that first outing against the girls in yellow – could they put it into practice?
Wyrley started with Ruby in goal, Eleanor in central defence and again tasked with marking the opposition’s star player throughout, Shannon at left back and Madison right back. The midfield was Lily (twin) and Mia and Ellie was the striker for the start of this game. Chloe, Izzy, Millie and Lily (not twin!) awaited the call to action on the proverbial subs bench.
The first exchanges were even, with Ellie hitting the bar and the Penkridge keeper denying her at close range, Wyrley having a couple of good early chances. Penkridge seemed a little slow out of the blocks, but got a corner from which the ball broke loose to the edge of the area. Their extra experience showed as a snapshot from the edge of the box zoomed low into the bottom corner of the Wyrley net and the visitors took the lead. Wyrley were undaunted, however, and recommenced where they had left off, but were unable to fashion many clear chances, despite their possession and several throw ins and corners in the Penkridge half. Ruby made a couple of good saves as the visitors tried to break. Lily (not twin) came on for Ellie towards the end of the half, but Wyrley went in 1-0 down at half time after a lively and promising twenty minutes.
Millie came on for Madison for the second half, which saw Wyrley again enjoy a fair amount of possession and several corners, hitting the post from one. The Penkridge Number 8 was lively again, enjoying a couple of strong runs through the centre, but Ruby was up to the challenge and made several great saves, including a close range double, chants of “Ruby Guzan!” from yours truly greeting every one – she is a Villa fan after all!!! It was after one of these Penkridge attacks that Wyrley themselves broke and got a corner. The ball came in and after a tussle, Mia came off injured, apparently after a kick on the thigh, but no penalty award was made, so the chance to equalise from the spot was denied the brave Wyrley players. Wyrley kept pressing, but were just short of that killer pass through to their strikers, who were often free and would have been clear to run on goal. Penkridge’s main threat again rested with their number 8, but there was no further scoring, so Wyrley suffered a 1-0 defeat, having played their best game yet against good opponents.
Overall, Penkridge probably had the better chances, Wyrley the better possession, but Ruby played brilliantly in goal, a performance which rightly earned a moan to the Penkridge coach after the game from the Penkridge number 8 at being thwarted and a hug for Ruby from the Penkridge coach who clearly recognised a great game when she saw it. However, full credit is due to all the girls for their collective performance in such a close game. If they can keep up this level of commitment and attitude, whilst learning more all the time in training and during the matches, then that first win cannot be very far away at all. Well done Wyrley!
RESULT: Wyrley Panther U10’s 0 – 1 Penkridge U10’s
Gary