Match Report
Match Report - 17 Oct 2010, Bracknell Town Ladies FC Bracknell Town Ladies beat Maidenhead Ladies
The Robins made the short trip to local rivals Maidenhead Utd who held the only unbeaten record in the league, a daunting prospect.
On a bright, sunny afternoon on arguably the best playing surface in the division, the Robins set about their task. Kirsty Robertson in the Robins goal was however, the first of the two keepers called into action. A dangerous cross from the Robins left wing was parried firmly away by Robertson, her defensive colleagues on hand to clear the danger.
As the game settled so too did the Robins. They passed the ball well and both Jo Atkins and Libby Shuttle got some good quality balls into the Maidenhead penalty area. Caz Gardner came closest to opening the scoring with a well timed header from a Shuttle corner only to see the ball cleared from just in front of the line. More pressure followed with the front two of Katy Miles and Caz Paterson both going close with purposeful efforts.
The game turned very quickly when a cross fired in from the Robins right hand side was charged down by Atkins in the penalty area. She was judged by the referee to have used her hand to block the ball and a penalty duly awarded. Robertson found herself sent the wrong way as the ball was struck hard and low inside her right hand post.
Maidenhead's lead lasted all of 9 minutes. An excellent pass from the improving Hannah Burgess found Emma Constable who controlled the ball with her back to goal, dropped a shoulder and spun to strike the ball home from the edge of the penalty area.
The Robins worked hard to create further opportunities to try and take the lead. Katy Miles got on the end of a good ball in from Powell with an excellent first touch taking her away from her defender only to see her left foot volley fly narrowly over the bar. The home keeper was being called into action more and more and pulled off an excellent one handed save high to her right following a well struck effort from Shuttle. Jo Atkins finished the half when her strike hit the bar after she had cut inside onto her right foot.
The second half started with the Robins again passing and moving effectively and they didn't have to wait long before their pressure was rewarded. Emma Constable picked up a pass in the middle third and moved forward before unleashing a dipping shot from 25 yards to put the Robins in front.
Maidenhead were not about to let their unbeaten record go without a fight and they rallied themselves to exert more pressure tahn at any time during the game. For a period of 20 minutes they had their visitors penned in their half so much so that both wide midfield players were back helping out their defensive team mates. Atkins providing cover and winning some important tackles and Shuttle heading the ball clear from a dangerous cross. The defensive unit of Burgess, Boyle, Gardner and Robertson stood firm ably helped out by the hard working central pair of Holloway and Powell.
Despite the home side's pressure, the Robins had enough belief and composure in their ability to continue to create chances to stretch their lead. The hosts woodwork took another battering from a great strike from the hard running Miles and also a header from her fellow striker, Caz Paterson. Paterson almost scored in spectacular style a few moments later when she met a pass on the volley. Her left foot strike dipped a fraction too late and went over the corner of bar and post much to the relief of the home side.
For the final 10 minutes the game was end to end with the visitors marginally keeping the ball the better of the 2 teams which allowed them to break and exploit the space behind the Maidenhead midfiled as they pushed forward in search of an equaliser.
Overall, this was another strong performance from the Robins, again coming from behind to get a positive result. A good advert for the ladies game at step 4.
Next week sees the Robins return to Larges Lane for a 2nd qualifying round Women's FA Cup game against Newbury Ladies FC, kick off 2 p.m.
Maidenhead Ladies 1 - 2 Bracknell Town Ladies FC Bracknell Town Ladies