Birkdale United AFC

Today saw the girls host Crosby Stuart at Carr Lane. Their previous meeting resulted in a 8-1 win to Crosby Stuart, so the team were expecting a tough game. It was a very blustery day and it became obvious that the wind would play a part in the game. With goal kicks frequently going out and the ball hard to control due to the conditions.

Crosby Stuart pressed from the start forcing Birkdale’s keeper E Harrison into a string of excellent saves. But with a combination of Birkdales’ new formation and some outstanding defensive play from A Sykes, C Mentha and E Core the game remained goalless after 10 minutes. At this stage the first substitution took place with C Molyneux coming on into midfield. A couple of minutes later T Elliot had to be substituted after a strong 50-50 tackle resulted in her getting studs in her head. Birkdale held their own and on occasion turned defence into counter attack with attempts on goal from M Price, T Elliot and L Smith the first half finished 0-0.

The second half saw Birkdale continue to fight showing great team spirit, but with the wind blowing against them the girls began to look tired. More rolling substitutions in the second half of A Welford and A Seddon gave Birkdale fresh legs and the girls looked like they might sneak a goal with some good forward play from A Welford and A Seddon putting Crosby Stuart under pressure with a shot just going wide of the post. With five minutes to go the game remained goalless. Crosby Stuart pushed harder for that elusive goal and after a period of concerted pressure resulting in a run of corners one was eventually converted. Birkdale girls never let their heads drop and from the restart the girls tried hard for a goal, putting Crosby Stuart under pressure. This resulted in Crosby Stuart taking advantage of this by getting a second. The final score was 0-2 to Crosby Stuart.

Birkdale played extremely well and it is a testament to the girls how much they have improved in such a short period. The Team spirit was there for all to see.

The management awarded their POM to E Harrison Birkdale goalkeeper for an outstanding display.

A slow start to the game by Birkdale taking a while to settle into their stride.

Birkdale’s first goal came after nine minutes from a free kick on the edge of the penalty area blasted into the top corner of the net by J. Frew, 0 – 1.

Two minutes later a corner taken by B. Pike dropped into the middle of the six yard box and S. Howard stabbed the ball into the net, 0 – 2.

Birkdale continued to apply pressure but squandered several chances to extend their lead.

Two minutes before half time Birkdale paid the price for not killing the game off when Redgate grabbed a breakaway goal, pretty much their first real chance of the game, 1 – 2.

The half time team talk had the desired effect and Birkdale started the second half with much more purpose.

After five minutes L. Jackson ran through on goal resisting some robust defending to slide the ball past the advancing keeper, 1 – 3.

The next chance fell to J. Grant who unluckily saw his great shot come back off the crossbar and Redgate were able to clear the danger.

Two minute later B. Pike grabbed a goal with fine run and great chip over the keepers head, 1 – 4.

Birkdale continued to apply pressure but squandered yet more chances until they were awarded a free kick on the edge of the penalty area.   Once again J. Frew stepped up to blast the ball into the top corner of the net, 1 – 5.

The final goal of the game was scored by J. Young with a header when the ball bounced back off the crossbar from a shot by L. Jackson, 1 – 6.

A comfortable win for Birkdale in the end, it could so easily have been in double figures with some more clinical finishing in front of goal.   The second half performance was much better than the first with some good performances from a number of players.

It was decided to award joint Man of the Match again this week to J. Grant for a commanding and assured performance in midfield and L. Williams for some surging runs down the right wing and regularly getting the ball into the danger area.