It was back to business for everybody this weekend after the extended Christmas break. It seemed that the players were recharged although the final scores were not necessarily a true picture or the deserved results.

Saturday 10 January 2015

Redditch United Jets 2 v 0 Wyre Forest Phoenix

The Under 13's began brightly, shooting downhill to take advantage of the wind, and with Angel Childe chasing the long balls through. However she just couldn't manage to get on to the end of them. The play then evened up with Bethany Savage being the busier keeper. It was looking set to be 0-0 at half time when a corner wasn't cleared properly and the Redditch player scuffed it and somehow it ended up in the back of the net. Phoenix started the second half sloppy and they were made to pay by an early Redditch goal. The defence didn’t deal with a long ball over the top and a mix up between them and the goalkeeper let Redditch in. This was a sucker punch for Phoenix and they just couldn't get back into the game. 2-0 was the final score and Phoenix produced a good display, despite the weather conditions, but it just wasn't good enough on the day. Girl of the Game: Lottie Von-Schaxmann
 

Wyre Forest Phoenix Flyers 3 v 4 Derby County Ladies

The Under 14’s Hosted Derby today who got off to a strong start with the Flyers rising to the occasion.  It was the Flyers that put the early pressure on getting a shot off after 6 minutes.  A cracking cross from Fleur Connolly was put in to the back of the net by Lucy McLatchy after 13 mins to reward the Flyers good play.  The Flyers had Derby worried and then against the run of play Derby got an equaliser after 22 minutes.  The Flyers were coping brilliantly with the pressure and were unlucky when Derby got another after 30 minutes to reach half time (1-2).

The Flyers were up for the fight, after a change of keeper for the second half, but it was Derby that managed to find the back of the net again after 6 minutes.  The battling continued and the game seemed to be turning, then the breakthrough came after 18 minutes when a great cross from Sydney Harris was met by Fleur to start the come-back.  Just four minutes later Brooke Harris made a fantastic run from the centre of the Flyers half and ran down the wing, passing everything to beat the defence and goalie to find the back of the net to equalise.  The Flyers were on fire and had Derby really rattled. The Flyers had a close shave after a rebound shot was passed through and struck in to the back of the net, but offside.  Then in the final, cruel, minute of the game a great cross from Derby was caught by the wind and sailed in to the back of the net. Nothing could have been done to prevent such a disappointing end to a cracking game finishing at 3-4. Absolutely brilliant stuff from the Flyers and such hard luck not to get at least a draw.  All did well with Brooke declared Girl of the game. Goals: Brooke Harris (1), Fleur Connolly (1), Lucy McLatchy (1).

Droitwich Spa Girls 3 v 2 Wyre Forest Phoenix

The Under 18 girls set off with a purpose and desire that we haven’t seen for a while, under extremely difficult conditions which made control of the ball a real challenge. It was Droitwich who came closest first with an attempt after ten minutes coming off the post and cleared from a congested box. However, it was Phoenix who took the lead after 21 mins when their keeper came out of her area to clear. Realising she could not pick the ball up, her hurried clearance went straight to the feet of Molly Knight, who’s one touch sent the ball back towards an open goal. The Droitwich response was immediate from the restart when our keeper had to make a near post save. More great saves but eventually the ball went out for a corner, the resulting ball into a busy box was struck at goal but a Phoenix outstretched foot could only direct into our own net to see Half time 1-1.

Nine minutes into the second half Phoenix were reduced to ten players following an injury.  Despite this a corner from Kathryn Baylis is cleared towards Eilidh Shakespeare who hits the ball into the ground and sees it bounce over the keeper into the goal on 59 minutes. While Droitwich piled on the pressure Phoenix were tiring, pockets of space were inevitable and eventually the home side found some on the right side of the area and thundered an unstoppable volley into the top corner. Despite Phoenix’s hard toil and with nine minutes remaining, Droitwich finished well, to make the Final score 3-2. Player of the Match was awarded to Hannah Boit who had a storming game. Goals: Eilidh Shakespeare (1), Molly Knight (1).

 

Sunday 11 January 2015

Midwest Counties Female Football League

Wyre Forest Phoenix County 3 (1) v 0 (0) AFC Worcester

Today WFP Ladies County welcomed AFC Worcester, after a 5 week layoff doe to the Xmas break it was hoped the players would enjoy the game following the disappointments before the break. Trying a different formation a 3-2-3-1-1 worked well for us allowing our full backs to be a more offensive. Our first goal came from a corner which was headed in by Mellissa Knott after just 10 minutes, and despite us barely leaving their half this was the sole goal at halftime. A productive halftime team talk we went out with wind against us and seemed to be resting on our laurels a bit. This allowed AFC to create a few chances which our keeper Charleigh Lowe dealt with really well. Getting back into the game, another corner the ball fell to Emily Taylor who found the bottom left hand corner. Natalie Westcott got our 3rd from inside the 6 yard box to make the final score 3-0.  Girl of the game awarded by our opponents went to Vicky Hyde. Goals: Emily Taylor (1), Mellissa Knott (1), Natalie Westcott (1). In summary not a bad performance today but still things to work on, as we were a little exposed at times but well done to everyone. Next game away to WCT raiders next Sunday.   

West Midlands Regional Women's League Home

Solihull 3 (1) v 0 (0) Wyre Forest Phoenix

WFP Ladies team as for too many times this season, had to start with 10 players, affecting their true potential and not helping with results in this very competitive league. That aside, the regular 10 players who turned up, once again gave everything and showed great team spirit even when they were beaten, a true testament to them. We held on for 25 minutes as Solihull were the more pressing team but they managed to break our defence down and take the lead. The spirit was lifted and some great work led to a chance for Sadie Brown to level the game, only to see her effort stopped by the keeper. The ladies held out to half time.

The second half gave us an advantage with the wind in our favour, and within the first 5 minutes we could have taken the lead as we had two 1on1 chances against the keeper but failed to put them away. The home side struggled to break us down but eventually doubled their lead with a scrambled ball over the line. The third goal came from a dubious penalty decision, which is the softest I have ever seen, but nevertheless, keeper Tracy Evans dived the right way but could not stop it going in.

To those ladies that turned up, we appreciate the efforts you all made.