The Team

League Match
SUN 22 APR, 2pm	Manchester Stingers	5	v	3	Frodsham Rangers

Scorers
Nichola Moran 20mins / Nichola Moran 8mins

Player of the Match
Rachael Scouse Brown / Jinny Ursell

Match Report

Bee’s Eye View:

In contrast to last weekend’s sun-baked double-header, it was in pelting rain that Manchester Stingers took to the field in against Frodsham on Sunday. The wet weather did nothing to dampen the home team’s spirits though as they started the game at a pace, scoring in the opening minute / three minutes / five minutes (depending on who I asked): The ball was lifted into the box by Armstrong, and after an age in the air, dropped over Scouse’s shoulder, and she volleyed smartly into the roof of the net from two yards out. 1 – 0 Stingers!

As with many of previous matches though, the Yellows had most of the possession but didn’t capitalise on it, while Frodsham looked dangerous on the break, none more so than when one of their players lobbed Mickey from just over the halfway line, only to see the ball come back off the bar and played out of the danger zone by Maxine. Ooh, we thought that was in…

The second half had Frodsham on top of things early on, unlocking the home team’s defence and going very close twice, just shooting past the post. Stingers fought back though, and a great pass into space saw a race between Armstrong and the Frodsham keeper as to who was going to get to the ball first. It was a real fifty-fifty until the Yellow’s centre forward slid in with her Go Go Gadget legs and sent the ball goal-ward. Luckily it reached the net before the Frodsham defenders scrambling back to save the day. 2 – 0 Stingers, c’mon girls that’s more like it!

About 10 minutes later, in another of Frodsham’s surges forward, Maxine was deemed by the ref to have handled the ball in the box, and a penalty was awarded. This was coolly despatched by a member of the away team. 2 – 1 - the tension ratchets up a notch.

But no sooner had the Blues got this goal back, than Jinny did one her sprints down the wing, putting a great cross into the box, which Rachael miss-hit, only for Armstrong to wack the ball into the top right hand side of the net. 3 – 1 Stingers, and us supporters could breathe again… Oh no we couldn’t! Frodsham worked the ball down the far side of the pitch, crossing the ball in, which Maxine, who’d been having superb game, headed into her own net. 3 – 2 and squeaky bum time!

However, our girls kept on going, playing some great football too, with Katie Fingers (who’d gained a bit of a fan club down our side of the pitch) shooting from distance only to see the ball come back off the base of the post. Hey, but who’s that in the right place at the right time? Yes, Armstrong of course, slotting the ball into the net from a tight angle for her hat trick. 4 – 2 – surely we’ve won it now?

Back down the other end a corner from Frodsham was cleared to the halfway line, where Armstrong tried to volley the ball forward. Unfortunately she sliced it back the other way (oh, go on then, we’ll forgive her – but just this once, mind!), with a Blues player taking advantage and scoring. 4 – 3 – I know the games against Frodsham are always close, but this is too much!!

After Shelley had nearly scored with a surging box to box run and shot that just went past the post, Stingers finally made the game safe: Tireless midfield battler Vicky put a great diagonal ball through into space, which had Rachael and just-subbed-on Irish Emma chasing down. Frodsham’s keeper got to the ball first though, but as she was out of her area, could only kick away – but not far enough. Determined winger Rachael collected the ball, passed to Emma, who, cool as a cucumber, curled a shot past the goalie and into the top left corner of the net with her first touch of the game. 5 – 3, and relax….

The final whistle even had the lads from the game on the other pitch running on to embrace our players in a Gregory’s Girl (ask an older member of the team) style moment of over excitement. Cue even more excitement in the club house when Gwen read out the Airbus vs. Bolton Ambassadors final score (3 – 3).

So, there we go, a marathon match on London Marathon day. Armstrong’s got her mojo back, Scouse finally got on the score sheet and Emma Hunter added to the six goals she’s scored already. Only two games to go now girls, so see you all on Wednesday for the Macc Town match (kick off 6.45).

Effort of the match: Scouse, for playing (and baking biscuits) while suffering from flu (will anyone who ate a biscuit get a flu jab before Wednesday please).

Idiot of the match: It's Maxine again folks, forgetting she had deep heat on her fingers and then going to the toilet. Burnt right through the paper apparently.

Philippa "the Bee" Jarman