Sussex County FA Womens League - Div 1
Littlehampton 2nds 4 Haywards Heath 2nds 4 (Ella Kenny, Gemma Paull, Jo Stevenson, Louise Creasey) - 7th Oct 2007
Probably the most dramatic first half that Heaths 2nds have ever played in and even better with 3 players with their first goals of the season.
From kick off, Heath put pressure on Littlehamptons defence, with Lou Creasey and Joint Player of the Match Ella Kenny linking well with strikers Keveena Mosen and Jo Fairbairn. After an excellent through ball Kenny latched onto it and coolly slotted it past the keeper one on one to put Heath ahead. This seemed to spur Heath on and we continued to put pressure in the opponents penalty area with wingers Nat Trend and Jo Stevenson allowing us to spread to ball wide creating space. A header towards goal resulted in one of Littlehamptons defence raising her hand to stop the ball crossing the line resulting in a red card and a penalty for Heath. Captain Gemma Paull, returning from 4 weeks out, stepped up and calmly placed the ball passed the keeper to record her first goal for Heath in the oppositions net Heath 2-0 up with only 20 minutes gone.
Littlehampton created a few chances but Heath defence of Paull, Bex Smallman, Dawn Gaston and Julie Boyce remained strong, along with Joint Player of the Match Celia Huggett who made some outstanding saves. After another excellent through ball, Kenny yet again got it under control and as she knocked it passed the keeper, she was taken out resulting in another penalty. Again Paull stepped up, but with the keeper guessing the right way Stevenson was first to react and smashed it into the back of the net. Littlehampton were under immediate pressure again and after a half clearance Creasey lofted a ball sweetly over the keepers head to put Heath 4-0 with 35 minutes. Just before half time Littlehampton managed to pull one back to make the half time score 4-1 to Heath.
After half time Heath pressured Littlehamptons defence for the first 15 minutes, with their keeper being forced into making some difficult saves. After conceding a corner Heaths defence couldn’t stop a header flying into the net. Fitness then seemed to affect Heaths performance and Littlehampton managed to step up another gear. A free kick from Littlehampton found the back of the net, despite the effort of Huggett. Heath tried hard to keep Littlehamptons strikers at bay and Huggett kept out at least 4 goals with outstanding goalkeeping. Unfortunately for Heath Littlehamptons striker manager to slip through the defence and slot the ball home with only 5 minutes left on the clock.
This was a performance that will allow Heath to take a lot from. With 4 superb goals scored we know that we can perform in all areas of the pitch, we now need to start linking it altogether. Well Done girls.
Team: Celia Huggett, Dawn Gaston, Rebecca Smallman, Gemma Paull (captain), Julie Boyce, Keveena Mosen, Louise Creasey, Jo Stevenson, Nat Trend, Ella Kenny, Jo Fairbairn
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