Launton 1 – 3 Barton United

After the last game on the 11th of November, it was time to face Launton at the MOD field, in what was always going to be a challenging match, even without the gap since Barton’s last game.

First Half

The first half started with Barton having a few chances straight off, with Launton defence really closing any space in front of goal, surrounding our players, Barton having to figure out how best to handle this. The play moving from one end of the field to the other quite quickly testing Barton’s defence. The gap in playing games showing a little as Barton, a bit rusty to begin with, struggled to get into their usual rhythm and ways.

Having played quite narrow, Barton started to use the width more, getting a great ball out to the left with Sophie finding space to shoot hitting the back of the net, 0-1 (19 mins).

Launton countered from the kick off, forcing Tihanna to make an impressive save at 20 mins gone. Still on the attack Launton intercepted, unusually finding some space to shoot 1-1 (23 mins). It was now “game on” again and Barton continued to push for a goal, every time denied by the amazing talent of the Launton keeper who made a massive save with 10mins to go in the first half as Edie hit a perfect ball towards the top corner of the net, the keeper at full stretch through the air denying a perfect strike - Mary Earps style! Having already denied attempts from Georgia and Kimora in the lead up. Straight away Launton were back at our end of the pitch with Courtney making a superbly timed tackle in the box, to prevent a near certain Launton goal.

By the end of the first half, it appeared that Barton had begun to get back in tune again from where they had left off in November.

Half time 1-1 (40mins)

After a quick reset Barton came out calm, focused and composed, ready to push for the next goal.

The whole team working hard together, pushing onwards, trying to solve the problems that Launton were creating for them, finally the hard work paid off as the ball found Georgia who hit it at the perfect angle into the bottom right corner of the net, just beating the keeper, again at full stretch. 1-2 (51mins).

With that score line, the wind appeared back in Barton’s sails with many chances now, again with the ball finding Georgia near the goal, from a tight angle she managed (somehow?) to get it past the keeper into the net 1-3 (59mins). With 12 mins to go Kimora had a massive shot saved by the Launton keeper, keeping the pressure on Launton.

Full Time 1-3

POM: Georgia – Great play today, really working hard.

Team Mentions:

Hope – Outstanding defensive work, winning the ball back at critical points, again driving the team on, also demonstrating fair play when Launton were a player down.

Kimora – Hardworking, winning the ball back, putting some great balls through, unlucky not to have hit the net.

Sophie – Getting Barton in the lead to start, working hard on the left, good balls int the box.

Edie – Great work dealing with and then working out how to get around Launton who marked her well, unlucky not to have hit the net.

Ella – Amazing work, making it difficult for Launton, winning some great balls and pushing Barton on.

Claudia – Solid defending, winning the ball back against some tricky players, giving her all for the team.

Liz – Great positioning of the field, some great thought, and some good passing of the ball.

Tihanna – Amazing save, reliable, cool, and calm in goal.

Courtney – Expert defending, really working hard, taking the team up the field, fearless.

Katie – More and more confident up front, in the right place, chasing the ball down, some great thought and timing.

Antonia – Super as always, recovering well from a ball to the face, making some great tackles and helping to move the team onwards.

“Somewhere behind the athlete you’ve become, the hours of practice, and the coaches who have pushed you, is a little girl who fell in love with the game and never looked back, play for her” Mia Hamm