Last Sunday Scunthorpe United Ladies took on Curzon Ashton who recently have been crowned champions of the league, not having dropped a point all season. United knew this was going to be a tough game but the players were focussed and determined to give it their best shot.
United lost the toss and had to kick into a strong wind in the first half, which added to the difficulty of the task, Curzon tried to use the wind to their advantage by playing long balls over the top of the defense, but on many occasions they misjudged the wind and the ball went out of play causing no problems to United. Scunthorpe battled hard in the first half and the back four consisting of Baker, Cook, Harrison and Cooke were outstanding and fought hard to clear any dangerous attacks as Curzon realised that it was better for them to pass the ball to feet and they are an excellent passing side. It was a pretty even half with both teams competing well, but it was Curzon who took the lead when they were awarded a free kick about 25 yards away from the goal. With the wind behind them they opted for a direct shot at goal, which was well struck and gave Evans in goal no chance of keeping it out. United playing well were not disheartened and kept playing at the same pace, they passed the ball around well and West on the right hand side of midfield forced Curzon to defend with some good attacking runs. It was somewhat against the run of play when the next gaol was scored and again it went to the away side. A long ball played forwards was misjudged by Evans because of the strong wind which again resulted in the ball ending up in Uniteds net. With about 15 minutes of the half left United still thought that they were in with a good chance of getting something out of the game. Sue Green having an excellent game in the middle of midfield decided to take the game into her own hands an drove at the heart of Curzons defense with one of her trademark runs, spotting Lisa Telford to her left she laid an excellent ball off to her which Telford confidently struck low and hard across the keeper into the bottom corner of the net taking the score into the half time interval to 2-1.
The second half United had the advantage of the wind, but didn’t resort to the long ball, they carried on playing the controlled football that they had shown in the first half. Donna Smithson partnering Telford up front showed some good battling qualities and put Curzon’s defenders under pressure at every available opportunity. Sue Hunsley worked hard on the left of midfield and teamed up well with Natasha Cooke to provide some excellent service. Curzon though were not about to give up their 100 percent record without a fight and they passed the ball around confidently, their best opportunity coming from a cross from the right which their centre forward met on the volley, but Evans was on hand to produce a great reaction save. United managed to keep up the pace of the game throughout the second half and deservedly got their equaliser about three quarters through the half. Hearn won the ball in midfield and played the ball forwards to Smithson. She showed good vision to play a good ball into the path of West on the right. West then accelerated down the wing and crossed the ball into the middle of the box, Smithson having made up the ground took the ball well in her stride to hit the ball first time with her right foot leaving the goal keeper with no chance. At 2-2 Scunthorpe pressed forwards and looked to try and get the third goal, Curzon battled hard to keep them at bay and themselves tried to hit United on the break. The match finished 2-2, a well deserved point for Scunthorpe who are the first team to take points of Curzon all season.
(Deb Hearn)
I thought Sue Green edged MotM though Donna Smithson & Natasha Cooke were good candidates. (MH)
