Birkdale United AFC

After the previous week’s excellent draw against Tranmere, Birkdale faced a different challenge against a Corinthians side who had not played many games in the league up until this point. The Birkdale squad had a couple of changes from the previous week, with McEvoy in for Birnie who was unavailable, and Griner was also not able to play. On the plus side, Ferguson was in line to make her debut and she started on the bench, along with Waring who was available once again.

The home team started brightly and put the visitors under early pressure, which led to an early goal. Granby and White combined to feed Cooper in the inside left. She hit a shot powerfully towards goal which was touched onto the inside of the post, but Gillingham was on hand to put the ball into the unguarded net. Birkdale doubled their lead shortly afterwards, as Davidson lifted an excellent and accurate pass into Gillingham’s path. She used her pace to get past the defender and then, as the keeper advanced, chipped her from the angle of the box for a superb second goal.

Birkdale relaxed a little and got a bit sloppy, but then rediscovered their composure and put together a great third goal. Griffiths and Gillingham combined down the right and the latter hit in a low cross which Cooper dummied for the onrunning White to sweep powerfully into the corner of the net for her first goal since joining the club. Shortly afterwards it was four, as White’s corner from the left was cleared back to her, and she hit the ball back into the area for Jackson to hit a controlled side-foot volley into the top corner.

There were two more goals before half-time. The first saw Cooper get her name on the scoresheet with an excellent piece of skill after receiving the ball from Griffiths. She beat two players and hit a powerful low shot from the edge of the area. Waring then scored the final goal of the half after good work from Ferguson and White. There were other chances for Ferguson, Gillingham and Waring, but the half-time whistle went to see the home side six goals to the good.

Noel and Dave told the girls at half time that they had played well in patches but at times had been sloppy, relaxing too much and not putting in the requisite work. They needed to reapply themselves strongly at the start of the second half.

In fairness to the team, they took their coaches’ words to heart and killed the game off within five minutes. Firstly, a flowing move starting with Davidson at right back saw Griffiths feed a ball into Waring who flicked the ball cleverly into the path of Gillingham, who finished unerringly to record her first hat-trick of the season. Shortly after, Griffiths and Gillingham combined to present Waring with the simplest of chances to fire accurately into the net.

After this, the players visibly and understandbly relaxed, still playing some good football but not going for the jugular. Davidson and Griffiths were unlucky not to add to the scoresheet, although the return of Cooper to the pitch saw more action infront of goal. A Corinthians corner led to Birkdale’s ninth goal, as Davidson’s excellent through ball from inside her own half saw Cooper through to finish neatly past the exposed keeper, and then a great move involving Granby and Ferguson saw Cooper in to finish low into the corner and complete her own hat-trick, taking the home team’s score into double figures.

There was only one further goal to report, and it was a popular one amongst the team. With the last move of the match, Davidson and White linked up to free Griffiths down the right, and she squared the ball into the path of Coulter, who finished like an expert striker for her first goal in three years. As soon as this goal had been scored, the whistle went to signal a resounding victory for the home side.

Great credit must go to the visitors, who showed considerable effort, determination and commitment throughout the game. The home side played very well in spells but need to ensure that they avoid losing concentration when it seems like they are in the ascendancy. A good result and a joy to watch at times, well done Ladies.

The Player of the Match, awarded by Corinthians, went to A. Cooper.
The Manager’s Player of the Match was shared between L. Davidson and E. Griffiths.

The team was: Hesketh, Davidson, Coulter (c), Lloyd, Cooper, Griffiths, Jackson, Granby, Gillingham, White, McEvoy, Waring, Dixon, and Ferguson.

This entry was posted on Monday, October 26th, 2009 at 3:44 pm and is filed under Match Reports 09/10. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.