Carlton Park I 3 v Castaways Ladies 0

18/10/08

With a few first team players missing from the squad this game turned out to be Park’s toughest game of the season. They just couldn’t find the rhythm that they had played with in their previous games. Passes were a little scrappy and the visitors were quick to close them down as they tried to attack. Park were unlucky not to take the lead when some persistent play by Vicky Le Fanu saw the shot just go wide of the right hand post. Park kept up the pressure and continued to push forward. Again Park’s defence of Jessica Wright, Mercedes Buckle, Kirsty Marshall and Kerry Whatling stood strong and cleared the ball well from the back. Tori Walton worked hard in midfield and distributed the ball well. Park were awarded a string of penalty corners but again the defence managed to block any efforts on goal. Park kept their patience and got the breakthrough again from a short corner. The ball came out to Mel Rodwell who slipped to Denise Manning whose shot into the corner of the goal was out of the keepers reach.

In the second half Park just needed to keep their composure and protect their one goal lead. They played better in this half with passes being pushed more accurately to players. Mel Rodwell and Roo Mackie found space on the left and passed the ball well into the attacking ‘d’. Park then added their second goal when the ball was crossed from the right into the ‘d’ and Mel Rodwell swept the ball in past the goalie. Park settled down after obtaining the two goal cushion and passed the ball well around the pitch. Justine Howe and Vicky Le Fanu were kept busy down the right with Jessie Wright feeding the ball to them. Park’s final goal came from a well taken free hit by Jessie Wright. She found Vicky Le Fanu who drilled the ball into the ‘d’ and Denise Manning swiped the ball into the back of the net. A rather shaky performance but a win is a win and another three points to add to their tally.

Squad: Karen Fletcher, Jessica Wright, Mercedes Buckle, Kirsty Marshall, Kerry Whatling, Mel Rodwell, Tori Walton, Justine Howe, Vicky Le Fanu, Roo Mackie, Denise Manning

Report by Denise Manning.