They say 13 is unlucky, but that was not the case for the Under 14 Flyers when they managed a massive win at the weekend. It was almost a full house of points this week for our teams, with the exception of the Ladies County team who continue to be plagued by their lack of players as the injuries mount up.

Saturday 8 November 2014

Wyre Forest Phoenix Girls 5 v 1 Withymoor Colts

The Under 11 had already drawn against this team in the league this season, and the girls were up for this game in the hope that we could get some more points. Despite the horrendous weather that we had to put up with, the girls started the game and were the dominating team. We had all of the possession, and had many opportunities to score which weren't taken. Withymoor's goal came from a breakaway that we seemed to be able to cope with until one of our defenders ended up on the floor leaving the Withymoor striker with only the goalkeeper to beat and only metres away to make the score 1-0. This goal was very unfortunate since they had one attack and scored. The girls persisted and did not let that goal phase them, putting more and more pressure on their defence. With attacking play coming from Olivia Wood, Mollie Moore and Ellie Symons, our equaliser came from a lovely cross from Ellie Symons that reached Holly Tew to put it into the back of the net, making the score 1-1 at half time. We started the second half and again had chance after chance. It was amazing how we were still only drawing, after so many chances. With about ten minutes from the end we had a positional change by moving our defender Megan Hancher up to striker. This was a risk, but within literally minutes, Megan Hancher was passed the ball where she controlled it, took it further up, and then beautifully slotted it into the net to make the score 2-1. Our third goal again came from Megan Hancher after having it crossed in by Holly Tew. After getting two goals within minutes of each other there was no stopping the girls, with our attackers having chances and our defence, Lois Lawley and Meghan Durbin staying strong. Our final two goals came from Holly Tew who took her chances perfectly, meaning she had got her first hat trick of the season, final score 5-1. Goals: Holly Tew (3), Megan Hancher (2).We are so proud of how the girls played this week, they deserved the win and looked a very strong team. Girl of the game went to both Megan Hancher for having such an important influence on the game, and Holly Tew for her well taken goals. Well done girls, brilliant performance.

Wyre Forest Phoenix Girls 1 v 1 Redditch United Jets

The Under 13's game only just went ahead after puddles were cleared off the pitch. The conditions didn't improve and the rain continued to hammer it down and this lead to an early opening goal for Redditch. A speculative 20 yard strike slipped through the goalkeeper’s legs and into the net. Phoenix didn't deserve that and picked themselves up quickly pressing the Redditch players well. Brooke Ashdown was replaced with Angel Childe who chased every ball possible. It was a scrappy game as the conditions restricted both team’s passing and Phoenix came in 1-0 down at the break. After an unexpected reshuffle at half time, Phoenix started slowly and had to soak up a 15 minute period of Redditch pressure. They hung in the game and got their rewards. With only 5 minutes to go, Emily Crump latched on to a pass and slotted coolly past the on rushing keeper. She could have had another soon after only to be wrongly ruled offside. The matched finished 1-1 with both teams happy to take a point after the appalling conditions. Goal: Emily Crump (1). Girl of the game went to Emily Crump.

Wyre Forest Phoenix Flyers 13 v 1 Sedgley Scorpions

The Under 14’s played in miserable weather, with only 11 players and Sedgley looked much improved from last time.

With no regular goalie, Weronika Pawlowska stepped forward to cover in the first half. Despite getting off to a good start, the Flyers were suffering in midfield with ALL the Midfielders and Forwards pushing upfront! Sedgley were battling hard and it took 16 minutes before a great cross from Ellie Jones was met by Fleur Connolly to get her first goal of the game. The lead was extended on 25 Minutes as confidence was growing, and additional goals came from Fleur Connolly, Chloe Brown, Lucy McLatchy, Ellie Jones, and Shiraz Hempstock finishing off the half after a corner on the stroke of half time, found the net to finish (6-0).

Ellie Jones volunteered to cover goal for the second half and Sedgley had re-grouped and put on a strong defence to start the second half. It was 8 minutes before the next goal. The Flyers were playing better now and any loose balls from Sedgley were mopped up a lot of loose balls, and the ball was being played around nicely by the Flyers. It was soon 13-0 with goals from Fleur (2), Lucy, Shiraz, Brooke Harris (2), and Amber Austin. It should have been all over, but a corner for Sedgley in the final minute floated in, the Flyers slipped in defence and couldn't clear, allowing Sedgley to sneak in a consolation goal. The Flyers were on the break in the last minutes of extra time to be met by the final whistle to finish 13-1. Final Goals Tally : Amber Austin (1), Brooke Harris (2), Chloe Brown (1), Ellie Jones (1), Fleur Connolly (4), Lucy McLatchy (2), Shiraz Hempstock (2).

Well done girls, and particular thanks to Weronika and Ellie for covering in goals, for your play in very poor conditions, and well done to Girl of the Game Brooke Harris although there were a few contenders this week.

Sunday 09 November 2014

Midwest Counties Female Football League Cup

Wyre Forest Phoenix Ladies County 1 (1) v 6 (4) WCT Raiders

Today saw WFP Ladies County play their first Cup fixture and yet again we could only field 10 players due to injury and unavailability. Despite this the Ladies put in a valiant effort throughout the game, there wasn’t much between the teams, but a couple of lapses and we were 2 nil down. The team fought on to their credit and we brought the score back to 1-2 with a well taken penalty from Mellissa Knott. After that we seemed to take the foot off the gas and another couple of silly errors caused us to concede 2 more to reach halftime 1-4 down. The second half started with less odds for us with only 9 players on the pitch. We played as more of a unit with less players and were competitive, but we conceded another 2 goals. 20 Minutes before the whistle we had another player down, this time due to a facial injury. Final score 1-6. Goals: Melissa Knott (1). The Girl of the Game was given to Emilia Sinden, who never stopped running all game, but it was a close decision with both Kirsten Oliver and Rachel Flynn having very good games today, in fact everybody gave 100% . Hopefully we can get our injured and other players ready to continue the fight in the league as we now have 3 weeks off.

West Midlands Regional Women's League

Wyre Forest Phoenix Ladies 2 (0) v 1 (1) Worcester United

The Ladies team entertained Worcester United and enjoyed their third win of the season campaign with a stunning display against a well, disciplined Worcester side. Captain Kat Meredith has joined Sarah Aston as side lined injuries, which meant Kelly Preece held the captains armband to rally the team. Opting for a favoured 3-5-2 formation WFP were having a great battle in the middle of the park, and winning these most of the time playing some excellent combination play, creating chances from all over the field, forcing some great saves from the Worcester keeper. Worcester were first to get on the score sheet though as their striker finally managed to break our defence and shoot from outside the box to the top left corner. Keeper Tracy Evans tried in vain to stop it, but the shot was too good. WFP were disappointed to be 1-0 down at half time, feeling it was against the run of play.

So with a couple of substitutions for the start of the second half, within 5 minutes Jess Richards set up Kirsty Roberts who smashed it in from close range. The game was a great contest and both teams were providing plenty of attacking football but it was WFP who were the victors after Player of the Match Sadie Brown clinched the winning goal. Goals: Kirsty Roberts (1), Sadie Brown (1).

This Sunday sees the Ladies travel to Droitwich for the County Cup quarter final game. As last year’s winners, they will be looking to put in a good performance in their hope to retain the trophy.