Bury St Edmunds III 0 v Carlton Park I 5

28/02/09

Carlton Park started the game well and dominated the play but just couldn’t break down the home side’s defence. With Bury having two experienced players in midfield Park were finding it hard to settle down to their normal game. Although Park had plenty of possession they just couldn’t find the final pass to get their opening goal. Roo Mackie was unlucky not to open the scoring when a shot on goal by Wendy Corneby flew across the goal mouth but unfortunately Roo Mackie couldn’t quite get her stick onto the ball to steer it into the net. Park kept up the pressure and only some good saves from Bury’s goalie kept them in the game. Then Bury seem to create more space and also seemed to have more possession. They worked hard to win the ball in midfield but the defence of Park were controlled at the back and cleared the ball well. Park were awarded a few penalty corners but again they failed to find the back of the net. Sarah Whatling went close on a couple of occasions but both times her shot was just wide of the post. Park were looking slightly lethargic and knew that they had to up their game in the second half to come away with the points.

With a good team talk at half time Park started the second half looking a little fresher and started passing the ball well. Emma Tuckwell was unlucky not to score when her bursting run from defence saw her shot on goal end in the back of the net but unfortunately she was outside the ‘d’. Park persevered and eventually opened the scoring when a shot by Sarah Whatling found the corner of the net. This settled Park and they seemed to be finding more space to move the ball around. Kirsty Marshall worked had on the left and played deeper in midfield to compensate for Roo Mackie who had a calf strain. Tori Walton tracked back well and dispersed the ball to the midfielders. Park had now found their rhythm and Bury seemed to be tiring. Park scored their second goal from a penalty corner when a shot on goal by Sarah Whatling found the touch needed by Lynn Whittingstall to deflect the ball past the keeper. Park now seemed more relaxed. Kerry Whatling pushed up from central defence and distributed the ball well to the advancing forwards. Sarah Whatling made it three with another unstoppable shot. Vicky Le Fanu and Lynn Whittingstall linked up well and caused problems down the right with Vicky Le Fanu provided some excellent crosses into the ‘d’. Denise Manning added the fourth goal when Vicky Le Fanu brought the ball into the ‘d’ and unselfishly passed it to Denise Manning who slotted it under the advancing keeper. Park finished the scoring when again a shot by Sarah Whatling beat the keeper to complete her hat trick. A good win but not the best team performance. A good warm up needed next week ladies!!

Squad: Karen Fletcher, Emma Tuckwell, Tori Walton, Kirsty Marshall, Kerry Whatling, Lynn Whittingstall, Wendy Corneby, Roo Mackie, Vicky Le Fanu, Sarah Whatling, Denise Manning

Report by Denise Manning.