The weather played a big part in the few games that were scheduled this weekend, as it was still half term. The highlight was the Ladies team put in winning performance in dreadful condition. The county team however were disappointed and frustrated to make the 75 minute trip to Hereford for the game to be cancelled after their arrival.

Saturday 21 February 2015

Wyre Forest Phoenix 0 v 1 Droitwich Spa Ravens

Although The Under 13's were missing 6 Players this week, it gave others a chance to come into the team.

They had the worst possible start when sloppy defending allowed the Droitwich striker to score after only 3 minutes, despite GK Beth Savage's best efforts. From that point on Phoenix woke up and could have scored 3 goals after getting in to one on one positions, but failing to hit the target.

These chances were costly as an uneventful game finished 0-1 to Droitwich. A disappointing day all around, despite a battling performance from the girls.

Sunday 22 February 2015

West Midlands Regional Women's League

Wyre Forest Phoenix 9 (2) v 3 (2) Marston Green

This game took me back a few decades when football was played on muddy pitches in great team spirit. WFP Ladies team welcomed the visitors Marston who were sitting 5th in the league and looking at our stats were keen to come along, get 3pts and improve their League position. Let’s not forget this is a team that narrowly missed promotion last season. Well they certainly set their stall out as they were 2-0 up after 20mins after playing some lovely football and pressing us into mistakes. What they didn’t expect was the resilience, determination and fight from a team who have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Mel Zaffino, still recovering from a broken nose, got us a goal back on 30min and 5 minutes later Sadie Brown got the equaliser. This was the lift WFP ladies needed and you could sense the deflation in the visiting team. The half time team talk was simple….more of the same, use the wingers more to avoid playing through the mud in the centre of the pitch.

BANG!!! The team did exactly that scoring 7 more goals and leaving the visitors completely stunned. Every player out on that pitch deserve a special mention in this match report, but I have to keep it brief. Tracy Evans in goal, Amy Rutland, Kelly Preece, Jodie Boraston in defence, Molly Maguire, Kat Meredith (1) (Captain and player of the match), Mel Zaffino (2), Sadie Brown (1), Rebecca Carter in midfield, Chelsea Mudge (4) and Kirsty Roberts (1) as strikers.

The one highlight that sticks out the most was when captain and PoM Kat Meredith scored. She immediately felt the need to celebrate by belly-flopping in the mud then running over to the touch line to bear hug her mother. Kat doesn’t score often, but when she does, we all know about it. And remember, all that while we were getting battered with freezing rain.

As managers/coach, soaked through to the skins, Alex and myself could only watch and applaud what we saw happening in front of us. The training sessions are paying off in recent games.

Well done ladies, take a bow. (Goal scorers are highlighted)