Cheam Ladies 1st XI

Report: We were awesome. Again. I barely remember their goal to be honest, although I remember them scoring first. They didn't have the lead for long though, as with our new fuound fighting spirit we surged back and drew level with an astonishing finish from Brenners from yet another ridiculous angle. We are scoring so freely at the minute. If you haven't heard yet (!), Roz also scored, a cracking short corner strike which was deflected into the net by the goalie. Thereafter, we played like legends. We were solid and secure at the back and creative in midfield and attack. Unfortunately no more goals were to come, but for once, we didn't look like crumbling. We are STRONG Great game from Steph up from the 2s again, earning her a deserved girl of the game.

Report: Playing in our lucky home colours, we scored our first victory for a few weeks in a tough game. Despite our early pressure, Wanderers opened the scoring in a well-taken break away goal. Not to be outdone, Bev and Ailsa came onto the pitch and linked well, allowing Bev to slot away a calm finish to level the scores. We had a lot of pressure which we were unfortunately unable to convert into chances whilst at the back we were able to fend off some more Wanderers breaks - STeph making a beautiful last ditch tackle and Meg diving to her right to deny the oppo. All down to Ellen's warm up. Apparently.

So.... we went into the half time break even. The second half started really well with Ailsa surprising herself with her precision in beating the keeper at her near post. End to end stuff was to follow until Sylvana crunched her way into possession, streaked through the defenders' tackles and shot - Brenners making sure (some would say poaching) on the line. 3-1 up and we started to feel the old Cheam vulnerability. Solid defending by Steph, Jo and Gill however, restricted chances and ensured our defensive shorts were cleared convincingly. Wanderers were to take advantage of this spell of pressure with a deflected goal over Meg's head which led to an edgy finale. We hung on for a deserved victory. White shirts? Over rated.

Report: Well, given that I scored I thought it only right that you were able to read about it in my words. Having gone into the game determined not to let ourselves down, we piled on the early pressure, leading to the opening goal (by me) from an impossible angle. Calmly taken, lifted over the keeper into the side netting, it marked an impressive start. Unfortunately, despite our strong defending, we conceded 2 goals in quick succession from short corners thereby losing the initiative. Pankster hit back with a clinical finish from the top of the D, enabling us to go into the break at 2-2. Not ideal, but we knew we could take it from there.
The second half saw us concede early, putting us on the back foot, but we mounted an impressive resistance which the basis of a fightback. Pankster slotted home her second 10 minutes from the end in rather similar but equally impressive style to give us momentum. Nothing more came, bar a few interesting injuries for Thumbelina Ellen and Popeye Gill. Good to gain the point but disappointing as we all know we should be doing better in the league.

Report: Another Wimbledon team, another win! Despite the fact this team were bottom of the league, their quality still showed and they gave us a tough battle through the whole game. We were in danger of dropping our own standards, but the skips led by example, making crucial interceptions and crunching tackles to deny their forwards.
Going forward, again we looked good, with some slick passing and great skills. Sylvana stood out, bewitching the oppo with her quick stick work which won us several shorts. Pankster opened the scoring with a hefty strike from the slip position which the goalie palmed into the net. A goal mouth scramble at the other end enabled them to equalise but not long into the second half Dot unleashed a punishing strike from the top of the D to retrieve our deserved lead. Some nervy moments towards the end were calmed by solid defence. Tough games abounding this season, but it is great to come out on the right side of the scoreline and the points are amassing.

Report: Who needs subs?I t was almost as if having none was a challenge to see who could get the worst injury. Pankster was felled early on by an uppercut from a 16, but despite the hideous bruising (which she is rather proud of) she was able to cream the opener from the resulting free hit. A really tough battle followed to assert dominance, which was won by some typically tenacious work by Brenners down the right wing allowing Craigy to slot home a pretty marvellous looking goal. 2-0 up and we were flying...as was the ball towards Roz's head. Poor girl, she bounced (well, staggered) back upright and battled through the game with a MASSIVE lump between the eyes.

After half time, they came back at us with an early goal which led to a spell of pressure. Very few shots on goal came through, however, which is testament to our defending in depth and shows why we have the (joint) top defensive record in the league. As our midfielders began to wane and retreat to the forward and back of the pitch in need of new legs ( yes, subs would be nice!) others stepped into the breach and demonstrated our true versatility and discipline. Kat took a couple of hard knocks to the shin and hand but strove on to complete an excellent game. A late goal came courtesy of what was constantly brilliant pressure on their 16s, when Sylvana POACHED it on the line.

It was refreshing and exhilerating to win such a tough game and the confidence feels like it is flowing within the team. Crunching tackles, silky skills and clinical finishing showed our desire and belief in ourselves. It makes limping exhausted off the pitch quite fun really. But only cos we WON!! Long may it continue.