Reedswood Suffer 2 - 0 Defeat Despite Quality Perfomance
Sublime attacking play, an abundance of rousing spirit and no lack of skill all came to nothing as Reedswood suffered an opening game defeat to A.P.S. Despite creating a multitude of first half chances, failure to find that all important first goal proved crucial, so much that as the game slipped away and the opposition grew in confidence, a tiring Reedswood looked less and less likely to score.
The 'Ladies in Red' can take a lot of positive points from the game but the lack of a true cutting edge was disappointing particularly considering the amount of chances that they managed to create. Such was Reedswood's first half dominance of the match that even though they trailed 1 - 0 at half time a second half comeback seemed almost inevitable. However it wasn't to be and one could see by the stunned look on many of the player's faces at full time, that it was evident that most of the team were wondering how they had let this, the most likeliest of victories, escape them.
Ten minutes of the first half had passed before A.P.S mustered up their first shot on goal. By this time Reedswood had already threatened on three occasions with Yvonne Law firstly shooting straight at the keeper (Prindley), then after collecting a cross drawing a fine save with a low drive to Prindleys far right corner, and finally from Player of the Match,midfielder Becky John who's right foot drive flew wide. Shortly afterwards John was involved in the action again when she collected a through ball from Katie Jarvis and swung in a great cross to the far post which Marie Jarvis was just unable to get on the end of. Further chances were either hit straight into the keeper's midriff or missed the target by frustratingly close margins so that it was against the run of play that a defensive error, a short back pass by the normally sure-footed Yvette Barker presented A.P.S' hardworking striker Emma Jones with an opportunity that she skillfully took advantage of despite coming under pressure from both Sarah Nixon (in goal) and Kelly Williams. Moments after the resumption and is if by the hands of fate the first corner of the match saw the ball land at Barker's feet but her chance to redeem was quashed when her close range shot was blocked by some brave defending. Despite maintaining the pressure Reedswood were fortunate not to go 2 -0 down when the referee awarded a penalty for a trip in the box on the A.P.S forward by captain Leanne Edwards. The shot that followed clipped the outside of the post and flew wide. Spurred on by this Reedswood pressed again but failed to capitalise on some great through balls from central midfielder Lydia Broadbent who also had a particularly impressive match. (0-1 Half Time)
The second half began in sprightly manner with both teams creating early chances the best of which landed to John on 49 mins when she burst in on goal but attempted to square the ball to M.Jarvis when a shot may have been the better option, then moments later when Law beat the keeper to the ball following a cross in from the left by M.Jarvis only to have her goalward bound header somehow cleared off the line. However, ten minutes later a lapse of concentration in defence left Dixon exposed when an A.P.S corner resulted in a free header for Sarah Minshall that found the back of the net and effectively sealed the win for the home team. (0 - 2 Full Time)

The squad: Dixon, Edwards, Williams, Barker, Moore (Pitchford 80mins), Allsop, Broadbent, John, K Jarvis, M Jarvis, Law (Carnel 70mins)

Updated by  Danny Campbell, Sun Sep 9, 2007 @ 10:19 AM 0 Comments
PRE-SEASON PAIN AS REEDSWOOD LOSE KEY DEFENDER

That F.C Reedswood would eventually emerge victoriously from this pre-season friendly against a gritty and determined Solihull Ladies would not have surprised many. Their dominance of a match played out in warm conditions at East Park (Wolverhampton) on Aug 26th was not quite reflected in the final 3-2 scoreline. For large periods they looked more hungry and dangerous and the more likely to capitalise on their opponents errors. However, for all the chances that the 'ladies in red' created it has to be said that it was a below par performance. Reedswood certainly didn't pass the ball as well as they are able and at times looked a little uncomfortable with the 3-5-2 formation that they were playing for the second match in succession. Solihull certainly provided a sterner test than Reedswood's previous opponents and had it not been for a somewhat lacklustre display up-front they may well have left more of an impression on the final scoreline. Still, Reedswood's managers will take some positives away from the game. Striker Marie Jarvis was looking sharp and was unlucky not find the back of the net on two occasions. Despite not firing on all cylinders the team were still able to create chances. Katie Moore's excellently taken goal, a sweet right foot shot from the edge of the box that found the corner of the net, capped a solid display that suggested that there is much more to come from the talented youngster. The defence were solid despite occasionally being over-run and the combination of captain Leanne Edwards, Yvette Barker and Zoe Burgess worked well together. Burgess was particularly commanding prior to the knee injury that she suffered midway through the second half and that will probably cause her to miss the first two or three matches of the season. As so often happens, a player's injury galvanises a team and it was as true for Reedswood as it could be when shortly after Burgess' withdrawal midfielder Becky Allsop was able to out-leap the opposition defence to place a well guided header into the roof of the net. Another bonus came when substitutes Sarah Ponsford and Yvonne Law, brought on with around 15mins left to play, combined cleverly to set up Law's first goal since returning from injury - under pressure from defenders and keeper, Law was able to pounce onto Ponsford's sweet through-ball to convert a cool left footed drive into the bottom right corner. By the time that Solihull scored what was a highly questionable second goal (huge suspicions of handball) a thoroughly entertaining game was virtually all over. The season awaits!


Updated by  Danny Campbell, Thu Aug 30, 2007 @ 5:39 AM 0 Comments
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