20/03/2010

Shepton Mallet Ladies 1st XI  3 -  Nailsea ladies 5

Shepton travelled to Clevedon School to play Nailsea in the drizzle.  As ever Shepton knew they could not be complaicent about this game having seen previous results. A later start than usual could have simply been Shepton's biggest problem as they just didn't get started.  They appeared to be half asleep and from this Nailsea took quick advantage and capitalised to go 1-0 within the first 10 minutes. This should have been the wake up call Shepton needed but scrappy slow play ensued then a great ball out of defence from Taylor found the ever ready stick of Squire who used her pace and powered the ball into the top of the opposing net to level the scores.  Even with a lifeline in place Shepton remained sluggish but a bit of fight showed itself and Squire had the local girls a goal up on Nailsea.  Half time needed a lot of discussion to remedy the issues from the first half. This was not to be with Shepton still looking tired and Nailsea with the bigger desire put a rapid four goals past hard working keeper cox. Man of the match Lloyd passed well with Wolff Callaghan, Trippick and Holland trying to g et into this game and reduce the deficit that had appeared.  The last 5 minutes found a concellation goal for Squire but Nailsea proved to be worthy winners.  Some good parts Shepton but not good enough to beat  a fighting Nailsea.

Shepton were up against top of the table this week so it was going to be a tough encounter.  Shepton did come out strongly with great communication and stringing passes together but Yeovil's defence made short shrift of any attempt on goal. 20 minutes into the game and play was still reasonably even but a quick break away from the Yeovil attack caught the Shepton defence off guard and Yeovil went into the lead.  Great defensive strength from player of the match Durston with fellow defenders Taylor, Trippick, and Cox held firm and made sure that further Yeovil attacks proved fruitless.  Shepton then found themselves in attacking position with Squire on the ball who turned in the circle taking a strike and levelling up the scoreline.  Yeovil retaliated quickly with another break and the score was now 2-1 to Yeovil.  Half time was very positive with the game still for the taking and Shepton knew they had to keep their wits about them to come good. 

Shepton's midfield started the attack early in the second half and Ferguson added to the Shepton tally and yet again the scores were level. The game was extremely competitive and eventually Taylor powered the ball to Squire who took on the Yeovil defence to get her second of the game with a powerful shot into the back of the Yeovil net.  Yeovil were having none of it and came hammering back into the game and gained short corner after which eventually had the desired effect and the scoreline was back to even-stevens.  Shepton gave their all but all shots made were duly saved by the hard working Yeovil keeper. With 5 minutes to go Yeovil were rewarded with an impossible goal from an acute angle with the ball going over keeper Cox's head.  4-3 down and Shepton had no time to come back into fray but 120% had been given in this performance and Shepton should come away from this feeling very proud.

 

27/02/2010

Shepton Mallet Ladies 1st XI  3 - 3 Old Bristolians

 

Following last week's disappointing defeat Shepton had to up their game. Their previous meeting with Old Bristolians resulted in a 4 all draw in torrential rain and today yet again rain proved to be a dominating factor with an early pitch flood prior to the start of the game.  Shepton should have gone out fighting but 15 minutes int the game still needed to find their feet and had already conceeded an early goal.  This was the wake up call Shepton needed and they started to play their game and pass the ball.  Great work out of midfield found Ferguson who slotted home an equaliser.  This built Shepton's confidence and a great pass found Squire who took on the Old Bristolian defence to hammer the ball into the top of the opposition's net putting the local girls into the lead going into half time.  The second half showed a determined Shepton side from the outset culminating in some great team work in which yet again Ferguson got the opportunity of a shot which found the waiting stick of Durston to put the home side firmly in the driving seat.  Unfortunately Shepton then lapsed in concentration and found themselves on the back foot with Old Bristolians bearing down onto the home defence of Trippick, Izzy, Cox and Woodland resulting in 2 quick goals making the scoreline level.  Great  play generally all round on the whole with returning Cox getting the player of the match.

 

Shepton travelled to Dorset with a very changed line up due to injury and holidays.  The first half was a real mix of play with both sides showing spates of domination with perhaps the most chances going Shepton's way. Steph Squire having a few shots with her infamous runs but unfortunately no success to be had.  Wimborne were feisty and defended well but also caused the Shepton defence of Wickham, Thorner, Cox and Woodland to really pull out the stops to keep them at bay. Wimborne did actually get the first break of the afternoon scoring a long awaited goal following a short corner scramble that left Cox unsighted.  Shepton were on the back foot and came back into the fray with some linking play ultimately culminating in Squire catching the Wimborne keeper momentarily off guard bringing them back into the game.  The half time team talk reiterated the need to release the ball quickly and a rethink on the short corner defence and a small change in the team line up saw Shepton starting the second half level pegging.  There was a repeat of the first half with the game perhaps being dominated by the home team who held possession a lot more. Shepton midfield definitely had their work cut out with Callaghan, Ferguson, Lloyd and Izzy working hard to keep Shepton in this game. Unfortunately a goal mouth scramble two minutes from the final whistle put Shepton in an impossible position and Squire's final move was not enough to pull back a draw. Lloyd and Trippick were joint players of the match with Trippick working hard as forward sweep.

30/01/2010

Shepton Mallet Ladies 1st XI  3  - 0 Cheddar ladies 1st XI 

 

Nailsea is a new team for the local ladies so they have no history with which to work with.  As usual complacency was not an option . Shepton started strong but despite great work and passing play from midfielders Cox, Bowker, Callaghan, Wolff and Lloyd Nailsea earned an early short corner and were rewarded by a deflection of the post putting them into the lead.  Shepton got straight back into the driving seat and Hunter and Squire worked well up front but it was Callaghan who levelled the score with a shot into the top right hand corner of the visitors net.  Shepton then got a short corner, push out by Trippick stopped by Durston and slammed home by Squire, 2-1.  The game didn't stop here, Shepton's defence stayed solid through Taylor, Holland and Trippick and a further goal came via a pass from Squire to Lloyd who increased the lead taking the local girls comfortably into half time.  Coach Brooker  gave a positive half time talk and Shepton went back into the fray with the goals still flowing, one from Bowker, slammed in from the top of the D, a great shot from Hunter found Squire slipping home the rebound. Nailsea did not give up and were dangerous on the break but goalie cox had all the angles covered  keeping a clean sheet in the second half. 5-1 up and Shepton still wanted more. hunter got a reverse stick hit to take the score to 6-1 then linked up with Squire who got her third goal of the afternoon with a sweep into the top corner.  Another short corner showed a change of routine and a slip to Bowker who put the ball neatly away to finish off the scoreline  a pleasing 8-1 to the local lasses. Player of the match was Gemma Wolff.

 

Shepton travelled to Yeovil this week to play top of the table Yeovil Ladies.  Yeovil have been going from strength to strength so Shepton knew this would be a tough fixture but went with an open mind.  Shepton made a few positional changes which had the immediate impact of having the stronger start with great passing from Cox, Bowker, Callaghan, Manders and Wolff making chances for Hunter and Squire.  Shepton were awarded a 16 yd hit and Taylor took advantage of a quick pass finding Squire who opened the scoring with a shot from the top of the D.  Shepton stayed strong but Yeovil began to pile the pressure on keeper Cox and pulled back a scrappy goal to level the scores. Shepton were dominant with possession but dangerous breaks from Yeovil showed them 3-1 up at half time.  The second half showed a determined shepton side still with the belief that they could get back into this game player of the match Durston gave an outstanding performance as sweeper but despite their best efforts Yeovil soon got another goal. Shepton played some quality hockey and the scoreline did not reflect the final scoreline of 5-1.  Unlucky girls a great performance keep fighting and remain positive.