The Team

League Match
SUN 04 FEB, 2pm	Manchester Stingers	7	v	5	Leigh RMI

Scorers
Jinny Ursell 22, 25, 68, 80
Nichola Moran 30, 75
Nicola Armstrong 78


Player of the Match
Nicola Armstrong

Match Report
Alright my lovers! I duly apologise for the delay in writing this match report, I have been so busy in training for the iron man and great north run, but fortunately I can multi task today, as I am only weight lifting. Anyway, onwards and upwards. There was tension in the air as the young Leigh side arrived, this was traditionally a real battle, and Stingers could not afford to be complacent. I was disappointed again that I would be marking players three times my junior, but I was in good shape, and raring to go. Karen calmed our nerves immensely by showing us how tight it really was in the table, and that we had everything to play for; it seemed that the outcome was down to who wanted it most.
 
The game kicked off and Stingers seemed somewhat startled by the nippy and nimble side, who clearly wanted 3 points from the game. They looked set to achieve their aim when a through ball was coolly slotted past Mickey by the pacy forwards, one-nil Leigh. The away side continued to dominate, and Stingers failed to get a grip on the game, remaining under pressure. There was a glimpse of hope when long legged Armstrong, who was camped in the poaching area of the 20 yrd box, pulled an excellent tackle off in midfield, which somehow defied the laws of physics and landed at Jinny’s feet. No squire was going to miss from there, and she didn’t disappoint, one all. Jinny, somewhat excited by this celebrated in embarrassing clichéd style by running around fists held high. She redeemed herself minutes later by converting a second cross.
 
Irish Nic, who is almost as fit as me but not quite, scored a corker in the top left which left the keeper open mouthed, and made the score 3-1. But Leigh refused to dip their heads and came back not once, not twice but thrice, making the score 3-4 at half time.
 
After a bit of constructive criticism from Harris we came out with the hope of still claiming three points. Leigh kicked off and were allowed little time on the ball, with crunching tackles from both sides in abundance. Armstrong, fancying herself as a bit of a Gazza, flicked the ball over her head, and in pub football stylee, volleyed into the top right. 4 all.
 
Karen made some formational changes as a result of this and I rolled my eyes as she placed Max at the back, I was going to have to work twice as hard now just to cover for her. Stingers remained cautious but managed to win a corner. Max who was well out of position when she took it, passed to Jinny who shot a screamer into the top left, and low and behold, we were subjected to ridiculous celebrations. Leigh again refused to be beaten and their ‘over the top and run really fast’ tactics netted them an equaliser.
 
But Stingers would simply not lie down and take it, and fit as a fiddle Irish Nic took a shot from outside the box and to our absolute delight, the ball hit the back of the net. Not to be outdone by this Jinny scored a cracker in the dying minutes, making the final score 7-5. The team retired to the clubhouse and enjoyed my delicious fat free, dairy free, taste free buffet, which even contained meat for the council lot. Well done Stingers, we did do well we did.
 
Idiot of the Match: Scooby for putting her footy top on back to front.
Effort of the Match: Shelley for playing 90mins with only one lung.

Log on next week for Philippa’s academic efforts.

Katie Fingers