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February 2005 match reports |
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| Sun 27 Feb 2005 |
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Manchester Stingers 4 |
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1 Accrington Ladies '91 |
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Rachael Brown (47)
Eve Talbot (58, 70, 88)
POTM - Jinny Ursell |
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The Team
Jane Laycock (gk)
Katie Fingers, Shelley Hollihead, Mickey McCormick, Gwen Davies,
Jackie Ryan, Max, Rachael Brown
Jinny Ursell (Nic Absalom - 85mins), Eve Talbot (Tess Ptonka - 86mins),
Rachael Taylor
Subs not used: Claire, Joey, Mini
Match report
Accrington Stanley- who are they?" would be a wholly unfair comment
given the hard-fought game they brought to Stingers at the Whalley
Range ground this week. Indeed- the visitors were 1-0 up at half-time
after a truly stagnant performance by the Yellows, who seemed to be
on the back foot and reluctant to play simple, passing football. There
were plenty of worries for the home support, not least from the dozens
of protestors attempting to disrupt the game with a cacophony of whistles,
drums, saucepans and music. Their gripe was with the Whalley Range
F.C. committee's decision to allow a radio transmitter to be sited
on the property, something I'm sure we will be hearing a lot more
about in the coming weeks. Both teams dealt with the disuption in
a very professional manner however, with no Eric Cantona-style kung-fu
antics.
After a good dressing-down in the dressing room, the Yellows began
to play in the second half and it was a great goal by Scouse that
led the Stingers back into the game. Yet another hat-trick from Eve
(bringing her tally to 29, that's six more than leading Premiership
goalscorer Thierry Henry) brought the scoreline to a flattering 4-1,
a satisfactory win but perhaps leaving room for improvement. Still
top of the league and facing Liverpool Feds in the league cup next
Sunday, the season continues to thrill and excite!
Lisa Harvey-Smith |
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| Sun 13 Feb 2005 |
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Llangefni 1 |
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3 Manchester Stingers |
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Eve Talbot (24, 82)
Jinny Ursell (43)
POTM - Jackie Ryan
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The Team
Jane Laycock (gk)
Katie Fingers, Shelley Hollihead, Gwen Davies, Lisa Harvey-Smith,
Jackie Ryan, Max (Mickey McCormick - 60 mins), Rachael Brown
Jinny Ursell, Eve Talbot, Rachael Taylor (Polly Pocket - 72 mins)
Subs not used: Claire, Nic, Tess
Match report
Due to our regular reporter's absence (Lisa Harvey-Smith), Coach Harris
has kindly offered to step in to say a few succinct words on the match
against Llangefni. |
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‘View from the Dug Out’ –
Llangefni Away
Last 6 W L W W D W
Home W W W W L D
Away W W D W W W
Well the form guide above is looking healthy and I’m particularly
pleased with Stingers travelling record – we seem to be enjoying
our trips away from home and last Sunday’s game was no exception.
Some might suggest that taking 26 people down to Llangefni on a one
night stop over on Valentine’s weekend indicates we as a club
might be lacking in the old romantic stakes but I couldn’t think
of anything more romantic than a big stingers ‘luv in’
for the weekend!. Seriously though it does show that everyone is willing
and committed to club and I expect that it will be these qualities
that will carry us through to the end of the season.
We are in the home straight now with only 6 games left to go –
Blackpool (H & A), Accrington (H & A) Frodsham (A) and Glossop
(H) and if we maintain the level of concentration we have show throughout
most of the season I hope that we will do ourselves justice in each
of the remaining games.
As for Sunday’s performance the conditions were awful, which
was unfortunate because the pitch that we played on was fantastic
– the best we have played on all season but due to the gusty
gale force winds, playing football was extremely difficult and nigh
on impossible at times. However we equipped ourselves adequately and
secured a very important victory against a team who until Sunday were
unbeaten at home.
I would like to take a moment to thank Llangefni for a well fought
and keenly contested match. After going in 2-0 up at half time they
came back at us with renewed vigour and were relentless in their pursuit
of a goal to bring them back in to the game. Once they had got it,
it took all we had to re-impose ourselves on the game and we left
it late with our third goal coming in the last 10 minutes. However
we accomplished what we set out to achieve and all in all had a good
weekend away. As I hinted at earlier the spirit that has been fostered
in the club this season is evident for all to see – and as the
old maxim goes ‘a team that drinks together wins together! I
was also impressed with the self discipline showed by the players
– who would have thought it – Eve in bed by 7pm on a Saturday
night and Shell on soda water all night!
As for the performance on the pitch – well it wasn’t a
classic but again we can take heart from grinding out a performance
that ensured we went home with all three points. After taking an early
lead with a goal from Eve who showed that chasing defenders down can
reap significant rewards, we seemed to be thrown (or maybe blown)
by the conditions. Despite having about 95% of the possession (Jane
touched the ball twice) we could not hammer home our advantage. Finally
in the last ten minutes of the half Lisa delivered a well struck free
kick into the box, JR flicked it on and Scouse laid the ball of to
Jin, whose first time shot ended up nestling in the back of the goal
– that’s the way to do it! (nearly double figures Jin!)
The second half saw us playing into the wind – and that called
for complete concentration from all. With some readjustment do to
injury, Mickey came on to shore up at the back and Gwen had another
extremely accomplished 2nd half, moving into the middle to take up
Max’s position. Gwen’s performances over the last couple
of games have been tremendous. She is reliable and solid, with a sound
understanding of the game – a true stalwart in defence/midfield.
Eve was again on target to secure the win, after going close a couple
of times she made sure by tucking the ball under the keeper after
significant midfield pressure put Llangefni on the back foot.
So a week off next week, enjoy the rest guys and come back refreshed
and eager for the Accrington game, which I’m sure will be a
hard and closely contested fixture.
Also happy Valentine’s Day everyone – if you’re
going out with a loved one may all your romantic intentions be fulfilled!
Me and the missus are spending a romantic night in together; dinner,
candles, cards and flowers as well as Arsene and his boys, come on
you GUNNERS!!!!
K xxx
Karen Harris |
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| Sun 06 Feb 2005 |
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Manchester Stingers 2 |
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2 Leigh RMI |
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Eve Talbot (24)
Jinny Ursell (68)
POTM - Jackie Ryan |
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The Team
Jane Laycock (gk)
Katie Fingers, Shelley Hollihead, Gwen Davies, Scooby (Lisa Harvey-Smith
- 65 mins)
Jackie Ryan, Max, Rachael Brown
Jinny Ursell, Eve Talbot (Kate Gardener - 67 mins), Rachael Taylor
Subs not used: Claire, Joey, Tess
Match report
The going was definitely heavy at the Whalley Range ground for this
week's game where the Stingers entertained Leigh RMI. The yellows
again had a surplus of available players, leaving several to just
watch from the sidelines. And a nervous watch it was too - the Stingers'
performance in the first half was very disappointing, with the team
failing to mop up loose balls or challenge in the air. Although the
condition of the pitch did not help, the play was scrappy and the
yellows were fortunate when they went ahead from a goal from Eve in
the 24th minute. Leigh came back quickly though, and the visitors
were soon level. The blues then scored on the break, and Stingers
seemed powerless to take control of the game.
At the half-time whistle the Stingers were very glad to get off the
pitch and some stirring words were needed to give the team some drive
and momentum. As in last week's game against GMP, the second half
performance was much better and the yellows had several opportunities
in front of goal. The tempo was raised when Jinny drew the sides level
after 68 minutes with her eighth goal of the season. The home side
kept attacking until the final whistle, but no goal would come. A
rather disappointing draw, but Stingers are still top of the league.
Lisa Harvey-Smith |
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