Match Report
Match Report - 13 Dec 2009, Bracknell Town Ladies FC Bracknell Town Ladies beat Launton Ladies FC
The Robins closed 2009 with a comfortable win at Launton Ladies. With the reserve team not having a game until mid January manager Dave Ward had the luxury of travelling with 4 substitutes.
Within a minute of the start of the game, the Robins took the lead when Sue Bowen played an excellent reverse pass to Jo Atkins who, in turn, showed a clean pair of heels to her full back. Atkins then crossed at pace where the ball was met by a rapidly retreating defender who inadvertantly headed into her own net.
Sue Bowen was involved again when she received a pass inside the opposition penalty area. She controlled the ball and held play up until strike partner Sophie Mabbett showed in support. Bowen played the ball to Mabbett who struck the ball home with style to extend the Robins lead on 9 minutes.
The Robins played with purpose and used both full backs well allowing the dangerous wide pair of Atkins and Friar to run at their respective full backs and get some good crosses into the box. Constable and Pankhurst were content to break up the opposition attacks in the middle third and set up fresh attacks. It appeared that the game was going to be supremely comfortable for the Robins but Launton had other ideas and increased their work rate. They applied more pressure on their visitors and began to turn possession over with alarming frequency searching for the pass that would undo the Robins back line. They came close when a neat interchange between a midfielder and striker saw an opportunity open up. The Launton number 9 burst into the box only to be denied by the brave Emily Cross in the Robins goal as she dived at the onrushing striker's feet. Launton's pressure finally bore fruit as a through ball found the Launton left sided midfielder who was being pursued by the retreating Emma Turner. Turner when level with her opponent used her strength to dispossess the Launton player who tumbled to the ground only for the referee to award a penalty which was converted with style.
This woke the Robins up and they came close to extending their lead before half time when a Pankhurst header flew past the near post from an Atkins corner. Emma Constable also came close when she struck through a crowd of players only to see her shot saved by the home keeper.
The second half saw the Robins dominate possession and territory but the resolute Launton Ladies worked hard to restrict clear goal scoring chances. They created little by way of their own attacks with Cross largely unemployed. Constable again came close, Bowen had an opportunity that was saved by the home keeper and Mabbett also had a shot which was comfortably saved. It took a moment of quality to end the game and what a wonderful way to secure the 3 points! Pankhurst controlled the ball with her first touch just inside the Launton half and proceeded to go past her marker. Launton's defence retreated and Pankhurst needed no further invitation as she struck the ball with real intent from 30 yards into the top left hand corner of the net.
A fitting end to a good 2009 for the Robins having been victorious in the Berks and Bucks cup in April and formed a new reserve team to provide more playing opportunities for ladies in and around the Bracknell area. The Robins are awaiting confirmation of their January fixtures at the time of writing so watch out for updates as they prepare for the latter half of the season.
Launton Ladies FC 1 - 3 Bracknell Town Ladies FC Bracknell Town Ladies