Allscott v FC Reedswood

  Allscott Ladies v FC Reedswood on 21/9/08

  On a beautiful, sunny day in Shropshire, Allscott Ladies FC, who have taken 4 points from 2 games, took on FC Reedswood, who won their opening game of the season last week, 6-0 away against Withymoor.

Allscott made 2 changes from their 1-1 draw away at Cottage Farm with Harriet Reilly and Helen Constable coming in to replace Jeni Millward and Laura Clarke, who dropped to the bench.

  The game started off with both teams looking comfortable and getting good, early touches of the ball. On 5 minutes, a through ball from FC Reedswood was a comfortable take for home keeper Bev Highfield but she allowed the ball to roll under her and an FC Reedswood player was first on hand to put the ball into an empty net. Within 5 minutes of going 1-0 up, FC Reedswood were attacking again and put a good move together which resulted in a shot from 20 yards that looped up high and beat Highfield to put FC Reedswood into an early 2-0 lead.

  Allscott needed to put FC Reedswood under some pressure as the away keeper hadn’t yet been tested. Casey Starling had two sightings at goal but unfortunately couldn’t connect with either, Allscott were starting to crank up the pressure on FC Reedswood and from a corner, delivered by Jamie Phillips, Allscott were awarded a penalty when an FC Reedswood player inexplicably handled the ball on the line when it looked as though the corner would go straight in. Phillips coolly placed the penalty in the bottom right corner. Almost immediately Allscott regained the ball and were looking to take a shot on the FC Reedswood goal but it was blocked by an FC Reedswood hand and the referee awarded another penalty. Jamie Phillips again took the penalty and calmly placed it past the FC Reedswood keeper.

  Now with the scores level at 2-2, Allscott had the bit between their teeth and were really putting their opposition under severe pressure and it wasn’t long until Jamie Phillips put another sublime ball into the box for Casey Starling to volley the ball into the roof of the net for her first competitive goal for the club after spending a lengthy period of time on the injury list. 10 minutes before half time, Emma Lowe profited from another Phillips cross with a lovely directed header across the keeper from the back post. Allscott went into the half time break happy with a 4-2 lead, after being 2-0 down after 10 minutes.

  Allscott were sent out in the second half with the message ‘the next goal is the crucial one for either team’ and within 3 or 4 minutes of the restart, the impressive Phillips won the ball in the middle of the park looked up for Stacey Garnham and put a lovely ball through to her feet. Garnham out paced two defenders and cleverly lofted the ball over the committed keeper from 18 yards for what was a very composed finish.

  Manager James made his first change of the afternoon, bringing on Stacey Wood to replace Helen Constable who ran herself into the ground on what was her first starting appearance for the Scotties. Almost immediately, Starling went on a run and was brought down right on the edge of the box, Jamie Phillips beat the wall and scored from the resulting free kick. FC Reedswood showed good commitment and perseverance to get a goal back with about 20 minutes to go to make the score 6-3 but Allscott hadn’t finished their scoring for the afternoon and it was left to Casey Starling to finish Allscott’s 3rd penalty of the afternoon after she was fouled on the corner of the box after she had gone on a mazy run.

FC Reedswood player of the match – Marie Jarvis

Allscott player of the match – Jamie Phillips