'We are PONTELAND we are UNITED'

An outstanding performance by the Phoenix today, where the girls responded to the challenge: in that we must work as hard as the opposition as a minimum - indeed working as hard as I have seen across the whole pre-season.

Gracie fired the girls into an early lead, after running through unopposed. Whilst we dominated possession in the opening quarter of the game, we struggled to find any rhythm as we were playing without the intended width, resulting in a lot of straight passes. This was making it easy for the opposition to cut passes out.

Lola and Anya’s arrival in the 2nd quarter of the game provided us much better shape; both showing good understanding of the wing-back position – becoming an attacker when the ball in on their side of the pitch, whilst becoming the 2nd defender when the ball is on the other side of the pitch. Aided as usual by the ever-reliable Alice’s and her great communication.

The width we now had was allowing us to attack down all three channels of the pitch. Eve’s arrival in midfield had also provided a new dimension, making several in-to-out runs with the ball – this is recognising that the space is in the wide areas and driving into those areas to try and deliver a cross into the box. All these factors were allowing Daisy to benefit from the greater space in the centre of midfield and in being able to support Gracie. This resulted in 2 excellent goals – the 2nd was an absolute gem, lobbing an angled shot into the top corner. 3 – 0 at half time.

The second half continued as the first half concluded, with the girls attacking and defending with great shape. What was particularly pleasing in this period was how the girls were now aligning to a compact defensive shape as soon as the ball went out for opposition kick-ins. It meant we were ready to pounce, which we did time and again, transitioning into countless counter-attacks.

These attacks came and went without the girls somehow managing not to add to the score. The opposition keeper made several excellent saves from Sophia, Jess and Ruby, whilst we also hit the woodwork twice before Anya finally made it four. Anya had almost scored two minutes earlier after a brilliant run down the left touchline and by-line, beating 2 defenders before the keeper saved.
After this Gracie completed her hattrick and Eve added a seventh, however, again all the girls could have added to their totals but for some excellent goal keeping.

In the last five minutes, understandably our shape vanished as everyone went in search of goals.

A very pleasing performance. The key for the girls is to work as hard as they did today – do this and they will win more games than they lose. In addition, if they continue to develop their understanding on the purpose of keeping a good team shape, a good season is ahead.
Player of the Match: Gracie (hattrick)
Opposition Player of the Match: Jess (drove the team forward)
Goal of the Game: Daisy (worldy)
Showboat of the Game: Eve for Maradona spin (albeit she should have put Gracie clear on goal instead)