Ladies Beaten but not Bowed

Having played Wirksworth Colts in the last four games games of last season (two cup finals, and two league games), the opening fixture of this season, the fifth game in succession the teams have met, had a real sense of déjà vu.

There were debuts for Izzy and Summer, but with several players still to return from late holidays, the line up had an unfamiliar look about it.

Wirksworth are becoming something of a bogey team for the Ladies, at least where Cup games are concerned - having dominated last season's two cup finals, but ultimately losing both, the Ladies were again unable to get the better of their opponent in an evenly contested and competitive Challenge Shield game, played in a good spirit - as befits the traditional season opener.

After a promising start, the Ladies conceded following two individual errors, after 11 and 24 minutes. Summer looked like she was going to pull a goal back when she evaded the defenders and prodded the ball wide of the advancing 'keeper, only to see the shot drift agonisingly wide of the post.

The deficit was finally reduced after 38 minutes, when Summer wriggled through a couple of challenges inside the area and slipped the ball to Bleu who evaded a despairing challenge to hit a left foot shot beyond the 'keeper. It was a well taken goal, under considerable pressure from the defender.

The Ladies could not capitalise on this, however, and conceded a third goal only two minutes later, with a well struck shot from outside the area, to go in at half time 3-1 down.

Despite pushing hard the Ladies could not find another goal, and conceded a fourth goal - another well struck shot from distance looping over Jade's outstretched hands to creep in just under the crossbar. We mounted a strong finish in the last twenty minutes, but could not force another goal.

It was disappointing not to retain the Challenge Shield, but despite the result there were plenty of positive aspects of the performance to build on in the coming weeks; both debutants did well, Bleu took her goal well and Summer was unfortunate not to get on the scoresheet. The players showed considerable versatility and gave a good account of themselves in unfamiliar positions - and it was pleasing to see the defensive unit working together and putting into practice the things we have been working on.

Despite the scoreline we felt we actually defended well on the whole, the goals coming from individual errors and well taken shots rather than as a result of failing to defend well - whilst in possession there were a couple of noteworthy moves started by combinations among the back four - showing considerable composure on the ball - worked into midfield, switched and finishing with a shot on goal, both started by Jade distributing the ball quickly.