Charnwood Sileby 1st Match Report

Saturday 29^th September – Solihull Blossomfield

  Another new season is upon us and for Charnwood it’s a new league and an almost new team. With a squad including 6 new players, Charnwood went out on the pitch with an underpinning confidence after winning their warm up games. However this was not an air of confidence by any means as Charnwood know this is going to be a tough season and they will have to play to the best of their abilities in every game and have great team spirit and determination to succeed.

  The game was tough from the start and Charnwood always just a bit too nice had to knuckle down and play tough to compete in the one to one situations. Bit they did this with the new enthusiasm which the team have and it wasn’t long before a drive into the circle put Sharon McGucken in a shooting position. A Blossomfield defender bravely got in the way and the game was stopped whilst she was treated for an injured knee. Charnwood took the first of 6 short corners but more practice is needed as they were unsuccessful in each attempt. This was also down to good goalkeeping from the Blossomfield keeper.

  It was a well fought game with great passing from both teams and some moments of individual brilliance from Lorraine Foulds in goal, Val Smith in Left Midfield, Annie Wiffen and Sharon McGucken in the attack. However the whole team played well, the defence even under pressure was calm and in control and the midfield moved the ball around the pitch accurately and with confidence it was a great team performance.

  Charnwood kept the pressure on in the second half and if it not for great play from the Blossomfield keeper they would have been 3-0 up but the score was still 0-0 until a great break down the left of the pitch put the ball into the circle and with the keeper under pressure she stood on the ball and a penalty stroke was awarded. Sharon Webster stepped up to take the stroke and placed the ball knee height to the keeper’s right and Charnwood took the lead 1-0.

  Charnwood continued to push forward looking for more goals but they were not to come. The final score was 1-0 in a well fought game.

  This was a great start to a new season and something for the team to build on over the next few months.

  Good luck to Annie Wiffen and Emma Newborough, two new young members of the team who have final trials for Leicestershire Under 17’s this week.

From Suzanne Simpson