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7th Game: Away versus UCLAN (University of Central Lancashire)

Date: 22nd November 2006

Kick Off: 2.00pm

After last weeks disappointing performance, Lancaster Women’s Football team was determined to step up their game….literally. This week’s game was slightly more pressured then usual as not only was it a BUSA League game but the result was also being accounted for in the Lancashire Cup competition. UCLAN have quite a reputation for being an extremely sports orientated university and this was highlighted through their impressive sports facilities which boasted at least seven football pitches, running tracks, astro-turf pitches and netball courts. If there sporting facilities were anything to go by Lancaster should have been preparing for a battle immediately.

The game started off and Lancaster similar to last week didn’t seem to have their heads in the game, tackles were being missed and simple balls were made difficult, everything carried out by the team seemed only to increase pressure rather then defuse it. With in the first twenty minutes of the match UCLAN were two goals up, reckless tackles and players mistiming their approaches meant that UCLAN were able to confidently and neatly take the lead. By half time, Lancaster were 3-0 down to the home side, again the Lancaster had played good football in spells but the unity with in the team was not apparent.

After another stern team talk and substitutions the second half started and Lancaster began to push forward and the football being played was of a better quality then the first half. UCLAN were beginning to feel significant pressure from Lancaster, a freak blank spell in the mind of the UCLAN keeper, meant that Lancaster were able to score a goal back making the score line 3-1. The UCLAN keeper mistakenly caught the ball from a long kick from the Lancaster midfield and instead of playing a simple ball to her right she kicked the ball across the goal towards her left back, however she completely miss aimed and the ball fell into the path of Sue Wynes who netted one for the Lancastrians.

Lancaster from this point should have made more of their attacking run. The team continued to push forward in a confident manner while their opposition appeared to be feeling the strain, simple passes and moves which UCLAN had made looked so easy in the first half were beginning to become rash and thoughtless. Late on in the second half tired legs and heads from Lancaster resulted in the superb strike force of the UCLAN team being able to capitalize on their lead with another two goals to make the final score 5-1.

Although this score line reflects badly on Lancaster, it doesn’t fairly reflect the match. UCLAN had a superb strike force but if Lancaster had not sat as deep and had adopted an attacking front rather then a defensive one things may have been very different. All that needs to be said is: Bring on the rematch.

Special mention goes to Georgia Phillipson who was voted player of the match by the rest of the team.