Davenham Rangers 1 (1) v (1) 2 Crosfields J.F.C. Pumas
The difference between the two teams in this fixture was one player, a player that we affectionately referred to as "number 16" A girl that I later discovered was currently on the books at Liverpool Football Club, as well as representing Crosfields.
No surprise then that "number 16" scored both Crosfield goals, the first, (early in the first half) was a shot from way outside the area which went like a rocket into the Barrow's top left hand corner. The second was once again a fierce shot, (mid way through the 2nd half) which again Barrow could only stand, watch & admire.
In between Crosfield's goals Rangers played some decent football, inspired by captain Hudson who's work rate & determination & commitment to her team was outstanding.
It was all these key attributes which led to Rangers equaliser early in the second half, Hudson won the ball on the left side of midfield & decided to run at the Crosfield's defence, holding off two challenges she calmly shot low & hard & passed the diving Crosfield keeper.
At one goal each Rangers had their chances to take the lead, but a combination of indifferent finishing & a fine Crosfield goalkeeping performance kept Rangers to the one goal.
Amongst the positives Rangers welcomed back Standish to the team, whilst Locke & Colloby's partnership at the heart of the Rangers defence continued to blossom. Reid also confirmed yet again that she surely is the squads most improved player.
Goal scorer : Hudson
Frodsham Town 0 (0) v (1) 1 Davenham Rangers
Rangers started the stronger of the two teams, with Williams using her pace to great effect causing problem after problem for the Frodsham defence, on another day Rangers may have built up a cricket score however on this day we had to settle for just the one which proved to be enough.
The goal came half way through the first half, the ball was played forward by Colloby after breaking down a Frodsham attack, Preston advanced the ball further towards Frodsham's goal where the ever running Williams latched on to the pass & shot towards goal, the Frodsham keeper saved with her feet but could not prevent the ball bouncing into the path of Hudson who smashed the ball goalwards & into the back of the net!!
Rangers continued to dominate, but could not add to their one goal, At the start of the second half Rangers changed their defensive formation of 2-3-1 to a more offensive formation of 2-2-2 asking McLauglin to play in attack with Williams sacrificing the hard work of Standish from midfield. Sadly the Frodsham defence held out.
Late in the second half Frodsham threw everything forward in search of an equalizer & if it wasn't for a brave block by Locke of a shot which was goal bound to the Rangers goal Frodsham would have earned themselves a draw which would've been massively against the run of play.
