Match Report
Match Report - 18 Jan 2009, Bracknell Town Ladies FC Bracknell Town Ladies beat Oxford Utd - League Cup 1st Rnd
The Robins returned to action after a break of 6 weeks and understandably took a while to see off a determined Oxford United Ladies team in this league cup encounter.
The game began with the Robins passing the ball well and dominating possession for long spells. However, these periods of play saw the Robins make some uncharacteristic errors where possession was conceded cheaply. These mistakes were seized upon by Oxford as they made inroads into Robins defensive territory but they were frequently thwarted by returning Angie Barton ably assisted by Caz Gardner and Emma Turner. Sam Holloway making a rare appearance between the posts due to work commitments was by and large redundant save for the odd goal kick.
Debutants Tracy Corkett and Tracy Beale worked hard to create openings for themselves and strike colleague, Danni Wheadon with Beale coming closest firing in a couple of long range strikes that were dealt with ably by the Oxford keeper. Chances were few and far between for both sides. Jen Patterson came close as she ran on to a through pass only to meet the onruching keeper in a painful collision for both players. Thankfully, both were able to continue.
The deadlock was broken on 40 minutes when Angie Barton connected with a Dawn Campbell corner, her header finding the back of the net from close range.
The second half saw the same pattern re-emerge with some good periods of possession in evidence for the Robins but they lacked the cutting edge that was necessary to break down a stubborn Oxfrod back line. The game changed when Emma Constable was introduced to the fray as the energy sapping pitch began to take its toll on tired legs. She injected a direction and energy to the play in the last third of the pitch and it wasn't long before the Robins extended their lead through Danni Wheadon. Two further changes were made at this stage in the game with Libby Suchley and Elly Maggs bringing taking up the baton from their team mates who had run out of steam.
The Robins found a fresh energy and there was more assertiveness in their play with them forcing Oxford onto the back foot by more incisive passing through the Oxford defence. This alowed Campbell and Suchley to add the width that was lacking earlier in the game and the crosses began to rain in. The pressure told when Emma Constable met a pass that was played across the face of the penalty area and she struck it home with pace and swerve into the top corner with her left foot. The same player came close again when she met a Libby Suchley corner with her head, only to see the ball strike the crossbar and cleared to safety. Another strike from range by Constable saw the Oxford keeper manage to tip the shot over the bar. By now the redundant Holloway was feeling the falling temperature due to a long spell of inactivity. The Robins kept pressing forward with Maggs running at defenders aggressively and trying to make chances for her team mates. The win was wrapped up 5 minutes from the end following another Suchley corner which Danni Wheadon just managed to get on the end of to guide the ball home.
All in all it was good for the players to at last take to the pitch in anger and blow away some of the cobwebs earning a positive result with an improved second half performance and some good examples of individual play on show. The Robins next game will be the quarter finals of the same competition next Sunday at home to Maidenhead United Ladies.
Bracknell Town Ladies FC Bracknell Town Ladies 4 - 0 Oxford Utd - League Cup 1st Rnd