Being half-term the Phoenix youth teams were given a break so the excitement was left for the Ladies teams. Both ladies teams didn’t get the points they deserved. The ladies could have secured 3 points, with the County team deserving at least a point in their local derby.

Sunday 15 February 2015

Midwest Counties Female Football League

Wyre Forest Phoenix Ladies County 1 (0) v 2 (1) Cookley Sports Ladies

Today saw WFP Ladies County played our local Derby with Cookley Ladies hoping to reverse the earlier result in season when we lost away. It was always going to be a close game with both teams on the same points and goal difference. Cookley were the better team in the first half and Phoenix the second. It was clear to see that Cookley were trying to play the long ball game using their fast right winger as an outlet but our left back was more than a match for her. This being the case we created 2 really good chances both falling to Vicky Hyde, one hitting the bar and the other going wide of the post. With Cookley winning the midfield battle a long through ball was missed by one of our central defenders and running towards goal it was intercepted for corner. The result was the first goal for Cookley to make the score 0-1, the only goal before the break.

The 2nd half saw us come into the game more, being more tenacious in the tackle and fighting for every first and second ball. This in turn was giving us a better platform to play our normal game and after a few missed efforts we were awarded a throw. The throw reached Mellissa Knott who played it off to the on rushing Kirsten Oliver who rifled the ball into the net to equalise. This was Kirsten’s first goal for the team having transferred from Cookley last summer. The game continued, an even affair until 5 mins before the end when 2 missed tackles caused us to concede a second goal when the ball was slotted home at the far post. Despite our best efforts to get the equaliser we had no joy for a final score 1-2. Girl of the game today was given to Mollie Plant by our opposition. We battled well today in an even game where a draw would have been the fair and reflective result. Next week we are away to high flying unbeaten Hereford Lads.

West Midlands Regional Women's League

Worcester United 2 (1) v 2 (1) Wyre Forest Phoenix Ladies

This WFP Ladies team game is dedicated to Mel Zaffino. Despite being away in Scotland on Saturday playing Ice hockey, she drove down on Saturday evening to be available to play this fixture, to end up with a broken nose in less than 10 seconds of the start. With no subs available we played with 10 players while she received treatment and were unlucky to go a goal down during this time. When Mel came back on fighting fit and sporting a bruiser, we took control and created a lot of chances. The best chance came when a ball fired across the box by Danielle Morris was scrambled off the line as Chelsea Mudge tried to convert it. Mel, Kat Meredith and Kirsty Jones performed some great link up play to set up Kirsty Roberts on the right, who lobbed the home keeper to level the score and go into the break all even.

Mel was feeling a little tired and sore so took another rest-bite at the start of the second half. We worked really hard with the 10 players again and created chances only to see them miss target. The defence of Amy Rutland, Kelly Preece and Jodi Boraston had been very effective all game but Worcester again took the lead from a set piece corner. Mel re-joined the game after 25 minutes and again you could see that with level teams we were creating the best chances. This time we levelled the game up from a Kirsty Roberts corner that landed to Mel's feet to blast in from 8yds. A goal well deserved. The game finished 2-2 but an excellent performance from the team on the day.