Sunday 21st April 2013

Team: Louise, Alex, Lauren, Phoebe, Macey, Katie P, Chloe H, Jodie, Hollie, Leah

Result: Won 4 – 1

Scorers: Katie P (3), Macey

Broughton Ravers won their second trophy of the season with a gritty, determined performance against a very good Lincoln Griffins team. Both teams tried hard to play football but with a bobbly pitch, a breeze strong enough to make a difference and a big slope on the pitch, it wasn’t always easy.

Lincoln Griffins, with the wind at their backs, started the game strongly and went ahead within 2 minutes. The girls found themselves on the back foot for a while and only a brilliant save by Louise prevented Lincoln going 2 – 0 up.

Gradually, Ravers started to get back into the game but despite more possession and a number of dangerous corners from Jodie, they couldn’t get back on level terms. Then another dangerous corner caused chaos in the Lincoln penalty area before Macey bundled home from close range 4 minutes before half time. With the equalising goal came a big rise in the girls confidence.

Right from kick off in the second half Broughton looked a better side. They were winning more tackles, passing the ball better and looking more dangerous all round. In midfield Macey covered every blade of grass, Phoebe caused panic every time she got the ball and ran at the Lincoln defence, Jodie’s trickery threatened to create chances all of the time and Katie’s passing ability always threatened to open up the Lincoln defence, though it was ultimately Katie’s shooting ability that turned the game in Broughton’s favour. While up front Chloe worked hard and put the Lincoln defence under pressure whenever they got the ball.

Within minutes of the second half starting, Chloe made a great run through, getting clear of the Lincoln defence before unleashing a trademark thunderbolt shot which smashed against the bar before being cleared.

The respite for Lincoln was only short lived however as Katie chased a pass over the top before calmy lifting the ball over the advancing keeper after 39 minutes. However, if the girls thought it was plain sailing from there they were given a reminder of what a good team Lincoln are as they broke down the wing and delivered a dangerous cross that Louise bravely threw herself at just as the Lincoln forward connected with the ball.

A tense period followed but the girls held the upper hand and looked dangerous going forward, while at the back, a poorly Lauren (who did well to play as long as she did), Hollie, Alex and Leah all defended really well, winning tackle after tackle and heading everything they had to.

As the game approached the final 5 minutes Katie got her second and Ravers third goal to put some clear distance between the two teams. And then just 3 minutes later Katie grabbed her third goal to put Ravers 4 – 1 up and seal a great win.

What a fantastic way to finish an amazing season. The girls played 23 games in all competitions and won them all. Absolutely brilliant.