Ladies 1s in 4-2 Victory Thriller over Oxford City
On Monday night the Ladies 1s had their last fixture of the winter season against City of Oxford Ladies 2s.
From the first whistle Abingdon Ladies really took the game to their opposition working well as a team, passing well, making good runs and really putting the City side under pressure. But City, always a strong side, were not going to let Abingdon have it all their way and when they had the play they did their best to trouble the Abingdon defences. But the backs were once again on top form with Sweeper Chantel picking the ball with ease from any forward attempting to get past her.
However, when City managed to get a short corner about 15 minutes into the game they took the opportunity to convert with a well executed routine. But the Abingdon ladies did not let their heads drop and fought back! It was not long before Abingdon had a short corner opportunity of their own – Helen pushed out to Georgia who slipped it to Lisa P. Lisa’s strike rebounded right back at her and she seized her opportunity, lifting the ball over the goalie to make it 1-1.
At half time the scores were still level and when the whistle blew for the start of the second half, Abingdon were desperate for the next goal. The mid-field worked really hard, defending well and pushing forward together. Anna, Georgia and Paula were working over time – getting the ball through to Helen and Aimee up front who were really troubling the city defences and getting lots of chances in the D. Any breaks from City being seen off with ease from defenders Sarah F, Sarah W and Gemma – and the backs too were getting involved in the attacking play, overloading city’s defence. It was not long before another short was won by the girls in blue, which they again took the chance to convert, this time Anna slotting the ball home to make it 2-1.
But City were not going to let us win that easy, and fought back managing to get another goal to level the scores not long after Abingdon had nipped ahead. But that just spurred on the Abingdon ladies even more! Everyone was putting in 100% effort – and it was not long before Abingdon had got the break again, Lisa having intercepted the ball, and made a run forward – the team came to support and after passing it round the defenders, Georgia had a shot which the keeper saved by diving on on the floor, the ball rebounded to Lisa who took aim and fired it home! 3-2.
From then on City lost their formation – desperate to get another break but Abingdon were now on top and piled on the pressure. Many chances narrowly missed – but right at the end, another great tackle from Anna saw Abingdon break again – and once again the team found themselves in the D with the advantage, some well timed passing once again put the keeper off her stride and Paula was there to score the final goal – but as the ball was crossing the line the whistle sounded and the final score was only recorded at 3-2, but we are counting it Paula!!
Awesome result ladies – bring on the summer league!
