Sussex County FA Women's League - Div 1
HEATH 2nds DENT PROMOTION CONTENDERS HOPES
Haywards Heath Town 2nds 2 (Rachel Virgo 2 (1 pen)) Langton Green 1- 18th Feb 2007
Finally a result that the 2nds deserved. A game full of fight, determination and excellent team spirit.
From kick off Heath looked like a different team. With Rachel Virgo and Gemma Paull returning to the team following long spells out injured they made the impact that manager Sarah Miller had hoped for. Also the team was boosted by Ella Kenny , who has made 4 appearances for the 1sts since joining earlier in the season, playing a cracker of a game.
Keeper Celia Huggett had a brilliant game making some real crucial saves throughout the match.
With Paull back controlling the defence of herself, Rebecca Smallman, Dawn Gaston and Jo Fairbairn they stayed tight despite lots of attack from Langton Green strikers. Keveena Mosen was re-introduced in central midfield, playing alongside Jo d’Ambra, Julie Boyce, Jo Stevenson and Rachel Virgo. Excellent link up play with lone striker Ella Kenny gave Heath a handful of chances on Langton Greens goal, with no joy thanks to their quick keeper. On another attack from Heath Kenny was pulled down in the box, resulting in a penalty that Virgo calmly placed past Langtons keeper after 30 mins play.
This seemed to spur on Heath creating even more chances but Langtons defence stayed strong. With Heath putting so much into attacking Langtons strikers found a way through and despite Huggett deflecting the ball slightly they equalised with the posts help with 15 mins of the half remaining .
A positive half time talk and a quick sub 5 minutes into the second half with Michelle Schofield making her debut in place of injured d’Ambra Heath were soon back onto the attacking spectrum. With a slight re-shuffle bringing Kenny out on the wing, Fairbairn up front with Stevenson replacing her in defence, it seemed to give Heath the boost they needed. With about 5 mins of the match remaining Kenny latched on to a superb through ball beating the whole of Langtons defence going one on one with the keeper and very un-selfishly laid it off for Virgo to slot home her 2nd and put Heath where they belonged, IN FRONT!!!!!
Putting everyone behind the ball to cope with Langtons onslaught Heath held tight to record their first win of the season.
Although there are obviously people who played a key part in the win the Managers Player of the Match is shared amongst the whole team as this was a real team effort and we couldn’t achieve it without everyone. Well done to everyone, a real show of what we are capable of.
Team: Celia Huggett, Gemma Paull (captain), Rebecca Smallman, Dawn Gaston, Jo Fairbairn, Julie Boyce, Jo Stevenson, Keveena Mosen, Jo d’Ambra (Michelle Schofield, 50 mins), Rachel Virgo, Ella Kenny
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