Match Report
Match Report - 30 Nov 2008, Bracknell Town Ladies FC Bracknell Town Ladies beat County Cup 2nd Rd v Slough Ladies
The Robins bounced back to winning ways in the second round of the County Cup after beating Slough Ladies 2-0 at Beaconsfield Sycob.
Both sides came out and tried to impose themselves from the start but as the game wore on, Bracknell Ladies set the pattern of the game with a high tempo passing display. The problems caused by their opponents last Thursday were countered by the Robins sheer endeavour and desire to deny their opponents space and time on the ball and their own ability to pass the ball accurately and quickly. Suchley and Friar worked hard on the flanks to get quality balls into the strike force of Maggs and Turner who both worked hard to find space for themselves. Constable and Patterson worked hard in the central midfield area to break up Slough attacks and to then break on the counter. Anything that got past the midfield unit was dealt with admirably by the back four ensuring that Cox remained largely unemployed. The game came to life when Jen Friar broke into the Slough penalty area and drove the ball against the bar only to see it bounce to safety.
Maggs worked particularly hard to deny the Slough central defenders time to get quality ball from back to front but on the one occasion where Slough did break through they fell foul of the Assistant Referee's flag for a debatable off-side. The Robins continued to press for the lead but were unable to convert, Barton coming close when attacking a corner only to see her effort go over the bar. Emma Constable saw her strike from the edge of the box go narrowly wide of the target after some selfless set up play from Michelle Turner.
The second half saw the rain intensify but that did not deter the teams from putting on another competitive 45 minutes. The scoring was opened on 47 minutes when Libby Suchley received the ball in the middle third. She skipped past the full back and fired in a cross towards the back post. The cross ended up in the back of the net as the Slough custodian could only watch as the ball flew into the far corner of the goal.
Maggs proved a thorn in the side of the Slough defence throughout and yet another aggressive run at the heart of the defence resulted in her being fouled about 35 yards from goal. Skipper Suchley lined up the free kick and fired an outrageous strike into the far top corner leaving the Slough keeper floundering.
However, the Slough Keeper who had played in midfield during Thursday's league game pulled off an excellent save when Maggs found herself through in a 1v1 and again when throwing herself in front of a far post strike and saving with her legs. The Robins were also denied a third goal when Michelle Turner was adjudged offside when helping in an Emma Constable finish.
Slough continued to push for a goal and at the death almost succeeded but for the bravery of Cox in the Bracknell goal to deny at the feet of an onrushing striker.
A very positive and competitive performance from the Robins ladies as they returned to winning ways. They face Milton Keynes Wanderers in the next round of the County Cup in 2 weeks time.
County Cup 2nd Rd v Slough Ladies 0 - 2 Bracknell Town Ladies FC Bracknell Town Ladies