Dudley v TGLFC

 

 

TGLFC got back to winning ways at the expense of the battling Dudley Utd Reserves at the Handrahan Stadium on Sunday. Starting with only ten players it was always going to be an uphill struggle for the home side, and so it proved to be. Disappointed with the result though Dudley must have been these are girls who enjoy their football, and play for each other. That was clear from the good spirit in which they played the game.

 

TGLFC scored 4 goals in the first half, with the first an easy goal for the experienced Sarah Henn, who sprung the offside trap and curled a cool goal into an open net. 0-1.  Lou Smart then broke her league duck with a 20 yard shot, that looked to be curling just wide until the wind looked favourably upon her   . 0-2. The striker, her confidence restored, then began to play her best football of the season so far, and could have had a hat trick in the next few minutes but for the width of the post…… more talk of her hat trick later…..!!  It was only a few minutes later that she got her second 0-3. Henn was up again before the end of the half with a great strike to make it 0-4.

 

The first talking point of the second half was TGLFC's free kick in the box; Nikki Walker looked odds on to get the ball into the net, but the Dudley defence stood proud, the wall in front of goal standing defiant. He half seemed to start with in much lower tempo, for the visitors at least and Dudley began to create chances, the best Walker did very well to block and then clear for a throw. It was TGLFC who broke free though with Smart racing on to a ball into space, the keeper committed herself and the striker cleverly rode her challenge to slot the ball into an open goal. 0-5. Leanne Moss has been grabbing more than her quota of goals this season so far, and increased her tally by two; her first came from a superb Walker ball over the top. Moss took her chance well 0-6. Her next was even sweeter as she met a sweet Henn cross from the right first time, placing a lovely header beyond the keeper. 0-7. Manager Reeves made 3 substitutions in the closing stages of the game; the first young Ami Crump showed a maturity beyond her years with a strong performance, capped by her first goal for the club. It was a moment to savour for Crump, and a reminder for her manager of her capabilities. Becky Thomas then entered the game did a good job for the minutes she had.  Reeves saved a popular decision until the end of the game bringing sub keeper Elaine Boden onto the pitch. Nothing strange in that you may think, but Boden was making her league debut at the age of 48.  She was a star of the Summer League in the closed season, and a great dressing room character. She may only have had a few minutes like Thomas, but it will be a day she will remember forever!!!!!