Cheam Ladies 1st XI

Report: A glorious win! Cheam were on the attack from the start and were close to scoring in the opening seconds which gave hope to the crowd that braved the cold conditions (thanks for the support guys). However it was only after a few more close shaves and entertainment from neat passing plus the occasional long ball, that Pankster eventually hit the back board with a cracking shot from the edge of the circle (well done for spotting her waiting unmarked Spuggie!). So it was looking good at the half time team talk and spirits were up. But Camberley came out brighter in the second half and an unfortunate short corner led to a penalty flick. Despite Dixon's efforts the ball hit the side of the net and Camberley were even. Heads didn't drop though, and spurred on by the crowd the pressure on Camberley mounted and we won short corner after short corner. Craigy eventually got the message and got a shot und! er the keeper much to everyone's relief and well deserving off the team effort. A great showing for a team that benefited from huge second team player support as the squad of firsts was pretty depleted this week!

Report: Cheam failed to capitalise on the advantage of early possession highlighted by some stunning moves and unfortunately conceded a short corner late in the first half. Despite a tremendous effort by the whole team we weren't able to satisfy the home crowd with an equaliser, however it was a strong showing and we shouldn't be too disappointed. The commitment is there, the skills are obvious and the passing awesome at times...we just need to bring it all together and convert the opportunities into goals!

Report: After a two week lay-off the bones and muscles were creaking somewhat as we took to the field against Oxted. Our new look squad and formation took a while to settle in as we went down to two good goals within the first 20 minutes. Slowly but surely we crept back into the game, beginning to thread together passes and pushing for a goal of our own with some continued pressure towards the end of the first half. Ailsa capitalised on an Osborne shot initially stopped by the keeper - demonstrating the true value of following up.

After half time, we came out determined and some pressure on the right saw Ailsa time her run perfectly to slot home the equaliser. The game was tense towards the end with both teams having opportunities. We upped our work rate and the midfield ran tirelessly (!) from end to end as the game flowed back and forth. 2 late short corners to the opposition were survived before the final whistle - a well-earned point!

Report: In a tough game in the sunshine, the Ladies firsts showed they could dig deep and convert enthusiasm into a win...even if it wasn't a pretty sight at times.The slow pitch at Shene may have added to the lack of consistency but there were occasional glimmers of finesse, and but for an excellent save by the keeper Nikki would be claiming the goal of the season. The first goal was a well worked move down the right hand side with Lara timing her cross to coincide with Jenny's arrival and her shot hitting the top corner (well ducked Nikki!). Reigate soon equalised though, and it took the half time team talk from Chris, plus considerable 'encouragement' from the sideline to keep the pressure on during an exciting second half. Fitness held (thanks Jonesy)and the pressure eventually told as Spuggie picked up a pass in the centre and drove into the D with a cracking shot on target (and a possible assist f! rom Ailsa?) bringing relief to all.

Report: The team were in buoyant mood at the start of this home game and cheered on by a significant crowd we were looking for victory. However Reigate took a first half lead and we seemed to get stuck in a defensive mood which made us vulnerable and led to a 2 goal deficit early on in the second period. We weren't giving up yet though and a team commitment with Jo and Craigy leading from the back (noted by their joint girl of the game vote) brought us back into the game when Spuggie converted a short corner. The pressure on Reigate mounted and the crowd was urging that equaliser...but it just wasn't our week.

Report: Having well beaten Edwardians in a recent friendly, Cheam were in a positive mood from the start but it took a dynamic strike from Lara to convert the initial pressure into results. More goals quickly followed, another lofted cracker from Lara and a well placed strike from Ailsa made it 3. However the game was not over as Edwardians snuck one back on the stroke of half time. The second half was well fought by both teams and the pace took its toll on everyone - though Dot's fitness in midfield shone through as she relentlessly cut out anything down the centre quickly turning defence into attack. A solid team performance...looking good girls!

Report: Not our best start to the league games...with an unfortunate first half leading to a deficit of three goals by the break. Woking had taken us by surprise early on with a neatly taken short corner and followed that with two more successful set pieces. Chris's half time talk spurred us on to put our passing game into action and the second half saw some excellent play and commitment from the whole team. However despite spending the majority of time in the Woking half we couldn't slot the goals in. A frustrating end score but lots of potential!

Report: The Ladies 1sts were in sizzling form today at Battersea! Despite the heat and limited squad they scored 6 in this friendly against newcomers London Edwardians (lets hope we can match the score in the League match in a few weeks). Ailsa opened the scoring with a well timed connection to Jonesy's right wing cross, then gradually all the midfield managed to get on the score sheet. Spuggie converted the other 2 goals with clinical hitting from short corners which smacked the backboard. (An exhausted but satisfied team of 10 were grateful for all that pre-season training from Jonesy and Co.,)

Report: Unfortunately we could only field a team of 9 for this opening friendly of the season and it was a struggle in the heat. However it was a useful outing with an opportunity to welcome our new players, see their potential in action and witness some excellent positive play with limited numbers. Well done to Lara for scoring our only goal!