South East Counties WFL Div 1[W]
Heath nearly spoil League leaders Wokings unbeaten record
Haywards Heath Town 3 (Penny Gittins, Rachel Virgo 2 [1 Pen] ) Woking Reserves 3 - 8th April 2007
In a keenly fought game Heath for the second time this season very nearly beat the unbeaten league leaders. On a very hard and somewhat uneven ground, Woking were first out of the blocks with a goal on nine minutes, the bounce deceiving Heaths defence. Heath however refused to lie down and in a closely fought first half there were chances at both ends. Heath had started with Celia Huggett in goal owing to the illness of regular goalkeeper Kelly Lambert and had given a debut to recent signing Liz King and first start of the season to Rachel Virgo in midfield. Player of the match Mica Saunders was a constant threat and one shot in particular went just wide after 30 mins whilst Virgo nearly got her head to a well directed cross from Saunders.
Heath brought on speedy Fran Pritlove at the start of the 2nd half and came out determined to get on level terms. Woking however were denied by a Huggett save and a well timed interception by Captain Julie Hawthorne before Heath equalised with a debut goal from defender Penny Gittins. A free kick in her own half was hit with power and caused confusion for the Woking goalkeeper with Heaths George Thomas on hand to distract her further as the ball sailed over her head and into the net. Heath were now beginning to show some neat passing and Virgo brought the best out of Wokings keeper, her header being palmed over the bar. However minutes later, from a corner, the ball fell to Virgo on the edge of the area who hit a superb shot into the net to put Heath ahead. Unfortunately Woking equalised soon after, lobbing Huggett and the uneven bounce was causing the players on both sides a lot of trouble. With five minutes to go, Pritlove was through and was tackled inside the area by the advancing keeper. Rachel Virgo scored from the resultant penalty, but Pritlove was injured in the collision requiring hospital treatment. Regretfully for Heath, despite valiant efforts by Heath Woking equalised again but Heath held on for a well deserved point.
This was an excellent performance by the whole team and especially from Cath Diffey and Rachel Virgo in midfield. They now look forward to next Sunday's home game against Milford & Witley when a win could lift them to a very respectable midtable position.
Team: Celia Huggett; Penny Gittins; Debbie Johnson; Julie Hawthorne [Capt] ; Eve Todhunter; George Thomas; Cath Diffey; Rachel Virgo; Liz King( Natalie Trend 72); Mica Saunders; Mel Broome(Fran Pritlove 45; Keveena Mosen 85)
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