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December 2004 match reports |
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| Sun 19 Dec 2004 |
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Buxton 1 |
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2 Manchester Stingers |
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Rachael Scouse Brown - 63
Eve Talbot - 75
POTM - Jackie Ryan
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The Team
Jane Laycock (gk)
Max, Shel Hollihead, Gwen Davies, Lisa Harvey-Smith
Jackie Ryan
Jinny Ursell, Mini, Scouse, Rachael Taylor (sub - Kate Gardener 73)
Eve Talbot
Subs not played: Nic Abs, Claire
Match report
To follow... |
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| Sun 12 Dec 2004 |
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Manchester Stingers 2 |
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3 Bolton Wanderers Res |
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Eve - 25 (pen), 65
POTM - Mini |
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The Team
Lisa Harvey-Smith (gk)
Katie White, Mickey, Gwen Davies, Scooby (sub-Kate Gardener, 70)
Rachael Taylor, Mini, Scouse, Jinny Ursell
Eve Talbot, Maxine (sub-Jackie Ryan 55)
Subs not played: Joey, Nic Abs, Claire
Match report
After a break of two weeks due to waterlogged pitches the yellows
could be forgiven for being a little rusty, but today's defeat against
Bolton was a bitter pill to swallow. The quality and depth displayed
in the Manchester Stingers' squad this season has been unprecedented,
and the team had felt a sense of injustice for the defeat at Bolton
in August. However, the visitors seemed psyched up for the match,
and willing to attack despite a solid 4-4-2 formation.
The match began brightly, with attempts at both ends. Both Rachael
and Eve
had attempts on goal, Eve with a header from a corner and Rachael
from a run down the left wing, but the Bolton keeper was solid. Somewhat
fortunately, the yellows were awarded a penalty after just 20 minutes
for a handball and inevitably, Eve stepped up to take it. She placed
it very well, hard and low into the net to put the home side 1-0 up.
Less than 15 minutes later however, the visitors were gifted a penalty
by the referee for an innocuous challenge by Scooby. The Wanderers'
captain stepped up and
blasted it high into the net, drawing the teams level.
There was a definite realisation in the dressing room that the team
had to
show more resolve if they were to win the game. They came out strongly,
passing more fluidly from the midfield. Mini won the ball well and
laid an excellent ball off to Katie Fingers on the wing, who crossed
it in to Eve, who shot wide. It was then the visitors' turn to attack,
and when they won a corner they pushed numbers into the box. The ball
spun across the face of goal, before being bundled in messily at the
back post by one of three Bolton players who had chased after it.
Down but not out, Stingers retaliated eight minutes later as Jinny
crossed in for Eve, who beat the keeper to level the scores at 2-2.
During the course of a challenge, Scooby was injured and had to be
carried from the pitch, being replaced by Kate Gardener. Then the
fatal blow came, when a Bolton striker was left un-marked and had
a clear shot on goal, placing it in the bottom left corner of the
goal past Lisa. Stingers had two more chances, great shots by Kate
and Rachael, but the magic was not there and the Stingers were brought
back down to Earth with a bump.
Lisa Harvey-Smith |
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Thoughts
from Coach Harris after the victory at Buxton, 19th Dec
2004 |
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‘The View from
the Dug Out’
Well more like the view from pacing up and down a freezing
pitch in Derbyshire (being heckled by the locals and feeling
the need to stand in a t-shirt after we scored our second
goal!)
I’ve checked the North West Div 3 table for the
32nd time this morning and I can’t get down to work
at all so I thought I would put this down on paper for
no other reason than at least it feels like I’m
doing something productive.
We’ve now played 11 league games and two cup games
– W 8 L4 D 1. In the league we have scored 40 league
goals and have a goal difference of +15. Never have we
had a more successful start to the season – we should
all take a long hard look at the stats and feel a great
sense of pride and satisfaction. I’m sure many in
the league are surprised by our standing and may even
question our position, but let there be no doubt in any
of our minds – we deserve to be where we are and
we will not be giving it up easily. We will continue playing
the way we want to play our football; attractive, fast
flowing, high tempo games, demonstrating our ability,
skill, application, improving fitness and desire. However
what is most pleasing on reflection, particularly from
yesterday’s performance, is our growing maturity
and resilience. These qualities were fostered from adversity,
games at the beginning of the season we should have won
but for various reasons could not hold on to – difficult
and painful lessons to learn but at least we have done
just that – learnt from them.
The performance yesterday blew me away. Played in front
of a partisan home crowd in very cold and testing conditions
– the club’s performance was outstanding,
and I use the word club deliberately. The result came
about from everyone’s efforts, not just those on
the pitch. The vocal support from the subs Nic, Claire
and Kate and all the supporters including injured players
(Scooby and Maggie) was tremendous and I know it gave
those on the pitch inspiration and the lift they needed
make sure we came home with the three points.
Starting with Jane in between the sticks; she has provided
the back four with stability and confidence all season
and yesterday was no exception, everything she had a chance
with she dealt with; nothing came off her and her handling
and kicking were solid. We had two rookies at left and
right full back, who had to deal with the skilful and
pacey threats of both Buxton’s wide players. Max
and Lisa both had blinding performances, solid, unnerved
and totally committed. The experience in the middle of
defence was invaluable – always positive, supportive
and ultimately unshakeable, well done Shell and Gwen.
The three midfield musketeers JR, Mini and Scouse held
firm, refused to relinquish the middle under significant
pressure at times and were relentless in their tackling
– not to mention getting on the score sheet as well
with a fine taken effort Scouse, get in!!! Upfront we
worried them with our pace and power Jin, Rach and Eve
all worked their socks off and it paid off handsomely.
So well done everyone, have a good holiday (well after
training on wed night) and take confidence from all we
have done so far. The club is in a really good way, we’ve
got the calendar out, which is a tremendous success –
a big thank you to Jin and Jo K for all their hard work
– it looks fantastic. And well done to everyone
who’s bought and sold some.
Bring on 2005 - No doubt it’s going to be the hardest
second half of the season we have ever had due to the
standards we have set ourselves but I can’t wait
and I hope that you can’t either.
Happy Festive season everyone.
Kx
Manager Karen Harris |
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