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March 2006 match reports |
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| Sun 26 Mar 2006 |
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Manchester Stingers 3 |
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0 AFC Urmston Meadowside |
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Rachael Taylor (18)
Scooby (72 - pen)
Mini (80- pen)
Player of the Match:
Mini
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The Team
Maxine Bell (Jane - 45)(gk)
Katie Fingers, Shelley Hollihead, Mickey McCormick, Scooby,
Jackie Ryan, Mini, Scouse,
Jinny Ursell, Rachael Taylor
Nichola Moran
Subs: Helen Elderfield, Michelle Ryan, Polly Pocket
Match Report
With Jane otherwise engaged at kick off time, and Maxine being used
as a replacement in nets, their trusty pen and paper were passed along
to Stingers dedicated band of supporters (me, Jo, Vanessa and Nick) to
write
Sunday's match report, so this is the view from behind the white rail:
With Urmston having a game in hand, and only being two points behind
the table-topping Yellows, this match was a veritable six pointer.
Add to that the fact that hot shot striker Eve was still injured and
Jane (as mentioned) was missing in the first half, there was an air
of apprehension as 2pm approached.
The game started with plenty of Stingers pressure, featuring some
neat through passes from Scouse and Mini in midfield, while Urmston
counter-attacked with balls over the top, requiring our ever-solid
back four of Shelley, Mickey, Katie and a rather off colour Scooby
to be on their guard. On 18 minutes (thanks to my fellow supporters
for triple time-checking throughout the match!) Scooby threw-in to
Rachael Taylor who did another of her great hip-swivelling turns,
and from a really tight angle, crossed (or was it a shot?) the ball
over the Urmston keeper and into the net. Hurrah!
The old adage of 'teams are at their most vulnerable when they've
just scored' proved to be right, as without Maxine's quality outfield
skills in goal, combined with Urmston's somewhat wayward finishing,
Stingers could've been drawing, instead of winning, at half time.
Instead the game developed into a physical battle in midfield, with
Jackie Ryan (amongst others) left in the mud more than once. Our girls
got their fluid passing moves going, while Scooby passed fluid (luckily
for us she was being sick on the other side of the dugout), and Jinny
continued to apply the pressure, crossing some good balls over to
Nichola, who often needed three Urmston defenders to stop her scoring.
In the second half Jane replaced Maxine in goal, and the game continued
with end-to-end play, the Oranges having upped their game. They went
close with a free kick from the edge of the area, which sailed past
the post (Jane had it covered, I'm sure...), and again remained strong
and physical in the midfield. At 3.27 Katie Fingers trotted up the
line on the near-side for a throw in, which reached Nichola in the
box, who was brought down after a major tussle, and the referee had
no hesitation pointing at the spot. Scooby stepped up and slotted
the ball into the right-hand corner. Two nil to us - wahoo!
Only eight minutes later Mini wove her way into the box and ended
up on the deck too. Again the ref was right up with play, giving Stingers
another spot kick. Mini duly lashed the ball into the net, giving
their keeper no chance. Three nil to the Yellows, and even coach Karen
could stop sweeping up round Noel's bacon butty scented cabin and
join in the celebrations. Coming up to full time, Nichola was once
again causing problems in the box, and tried to round the Urmston
defender, but in a fearsome one-on-one, was scythed down, leading
to another penalty. Captain Shelley came up from defence to take the
pen, only to see her shot touched over the bar, but by then we didn't
really care, as Stingers were obviously going to win!
I had to leave straight after the final whistle, so don't know which
Stinger got player of the match, but just want to say that this was
another fantastic TEAM performance, with everyone really up for it
all over the pitch, and it's nice to see that we've got over the mental
hurdle of thinking we can't win if Eve's injured. Well done girls,
see you next week away at Frodsham!
Philippa 'The Bee' Jarman |
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| Sun 19 Mar 2006 |
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Manchester Stingers 2 |
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0 Leigh RMI |
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Maxine Bell (70)
Nichola Moran (80)
Player of the Match:
Mini
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The Team
Jane (gk)
Katie Fingers, Shelley Hollihead, Mickey McCormick, Gwen Davies,
Jackie Ryan, Mini, Scouse,
Jinny Ursell (Max - 55), Rachael Taylor
Nichola Moran
Subs: Helen, Michelle Ryan, Michelle Jordan, Welsh Clare
Match Report
Leigh have always been a difficult team for the mighty yellows
to beat.
Stingers recent form has made us feel that whilst some of the teams
are
difficult to beat if we remain focused and give 100% the results speak
for
themselves. On a mild Sunday (yes girls I had my shorts on), the team
talk before was one of a positive nature from the coach.
The Stingers started positively with our defence from the outset starting
strong. Leigh had some quick players and the score line could have
been
much different if I hadn't of pulled off some cracking saves if I
do say so
myself. Nic scored a good goal and the Stingers went into half-time
quietly confident. The football that was played by the Stingers was
a joy
to watch. The second half started well and the Stingers had a few
chances
but the Leigh keeper had a good game. Maximus came on for Jin and
got
straight into the game. Shelly had a wobble and hurt her knee ( I
bet BUPA
can't wait to get their hands on her!!)...Shelly played on and Leigh
scored
but it was ruled offside....
Stingers played every minute with grit and it payed off when Maximus
scored
a cracking goal which left Leigh stunned when it landed in the top
right
corner. Leigh were a threat throughout the game but Stingers defence
helped me keep a clean sheet.
The final whistle went thankfully and everybody breathed a sigh of
relief
as the emotion involved when you're a Stinger is overwhelming....Stingers
face Urmston on Sunday which is yet another test of the mighty yellows.
(If our success continues I am not going to be able to walk down the
street
without being recognised!!)
Jane Laycock |
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| Sun 12 Mar 2006 |
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Manchester Stingers 5 |
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1 Macclesfield Town |
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Rachael Scouse Brown (20)
Eve Talbot (29, 34 (pen)) , Jinny Ursell (39)
Mini (70)
Player of the Match:
Mini
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The Team
Jane (gk)
Katie Fingers, Shelley Hollihead, Mickey McCormick, Gwen Davies (Max
- 65),
Jackie Ryan, Mini, Scouse,
Jinny Ursell, Rachael Taylor
Eve Talbot (Nichola Moran - 70)
Subs: Helen
Match Report
On another scorcher the Stingers faced Macclesfield Town.
With 3 T-shirts on I know I could brave the elements but was worried
about being weighed down. Stingers got off to a routine start now
with good pressure and this paid off with a goal from Scouse, Scouse
battled the whole game and had a great game I thought. Macclesfield
were quiet at times with Stingers passing once again being fantastic.
I don't know what it is about visiting sex shops but Jinny must go
once a week as she took the ball right down the wing and scored an
absolute screamer into the Mac goal. (Now I know why no-one hears
off her on a Sat night).......Mac equalised with an average goal that
I had no chance of stopping as I was frozen to the goal post . The
Stingers went off at half-time confident that another game had produced
great goals and excellent passing and communication between us as
a TEAM. The snow began to fall in the second half with the Stingers
looking the more dominant team again, a couple of challenges and dodgy
decisions by the ref didn't deter the Stingers when Mini (who today
wasn't following the yellow brick road) but battling as usual produced
a stunning goal which left me breathless......
I would just like to mention the Stingers defence this season which
works a 100% every game. The defence has grown together and as passionate
as we are (Shelly) I know it is easy to always praise the forwards.
Our defensive record this season has not seen us beaten since September
and I think we deserve all the attention for a bit now!!!
Well done Stingers.
Jane Laycock |
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| Sun 05 Mar 2006 |
Semi-Finals
Plate Competition
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Manchester Stingers 3 |
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2 Darwen |
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Eve Talbot (35, 49, 75)
Player of the Match:
Jane Laycock |
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The Team
Jane (gk)
Katie Fingers, Shelley Hollihead, Gwen Davies, Scooby,
Jackie Ryan, Mini, Scouse (Nichola - 80),
Rachael Taylor (Jinny Ursell - 70), Maxine Bell,
Eve Talbot
Subs: Welsh Clare, Mickey, Michelle Ryan
Match Report
On another boiling hot Sunday ( not only did I have the plasters
again but
also 2 t shirts ) the Stingers faced a youthful Darwen. The game started
off really well from the Stingers with Eve scoring a great goal that
the keeper just couldn't reach. Darwen equalised shortly after with
a high ball that I should of caught but I didn't and it fell to the
Darwen striker. Eve scored another goal with Darwen not looking that
confident with their performance.
Our half time talk was positive with the Stingers realising that we
have had harder games and that for a semi final we could actually
win it. Shelly was extremely vocal and scared the life out of myself
and others around including the local residents, but you can't beat
a good bit of passion. ( I only hope she doesn't shout like that in
the Care Home )....Eve handled the ball in the Stingers box like she
does her handbags and Darwen got a penalty which levelled the scores.
The pressure at times was high but Stingers just kept fighting. A
Darwen player was sent off for bad language at the ref after she was
in a challenge with Scooby and with no subs we knew if we kept up
the pressure that we could win. Stingers passing at times was once
again very good. A great pass from the little American lead Eve to
score a hat trick which was well deserved. Darwen kept trying until
the end but i think frustration had already set in and surprisingly
didn't stay for Jin's buffet....
For some strange reason I got player of the match which was not deserved
really as the outfield players worked their socks off, so girls I
hand it to you all. Stingers are now in the final on 7th May so let's
all book 2 days off work...
Well done team...
Jane Laycock |
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| The wanderer returns. Welcome back Sarah, who
surprised us all by turning up to the Semi-Final match after
two and a half years away travelling. |
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