Allscott v Solihull
Pre-Season Game – Sunday 9th August 2009
Allscott Ladies FC opened their pre-season programme with a superb win against rival Premier League outfit Solihull Ladies FC, in their first outing on the newly renovated and simply fantastic Allscott Ground.
With a squad full of not only stalwart Allscott players, but of trialists and new signings Allscott looked impressive and were found not wanting when measured against a team who many see as the team to beat next season.
Both sides looked rusty in front of goal with Solihull missing the most glaring of the opportunities but with Allscott too putting shots wide that they would usually bury.
Straight from the kick off Isha forced the keeper to make a good interception. Solihull’s first effort was from the first corner of the game, when a good header went just wide. Zara forced Allscott’s first corner of the game shortly after, the defence headed over to concede a second corner. Ami’s challenge at the post won a third consecutive corner, from it Emma’s half volley was cleared to set up a Solihull counter attack, the threat was stopped when Allscott’s guest keeper, Lisa made a comfortable save, her first of many in the game.
Solihull were being restricted to some long range efforts that did not trouble Lisa, but Allscott began to pile on the pressure. Jamie shot wide and then Stacey Wood struck the ball sweetly but the keeper caught it.
Good interplay between Jamie and Ami set guest player Danni free, she beat the defence but slotted her shot just wide.
Allscott made some changes in the second half and immediately Helen won a midfield challenge, slipping the ball to Stacey Aitken who hit a first time effort wide. Stacey A then returned the compliment, slipping 2 challenges to send a through ball to Helen. Solihull’s centre back made a great challenge to prevent a goal.
With the teams looking like they would cancel each other out, Solihull were handed a golden chance to get the opener. A controversial handball decision was given, No.9 stepped up but her spot kick hit the cross bar, with nobody well placed to follow up the rebound Allscott cleared.
Ami began to trouble the defence but was having no luck as she was pushed off the ball and the calls for a foul were ignored. The striker then fed a through ball to Isha whose run from the wing was somehow called offside despite her having run from behind three players and to be in a clearly onside position.
Solihull had begun to defend in numbers as the half wore on, but they picked up their game for an impressive spell, when some lovely build up play should have led to a goal but their no.8 shot wide.
At the other end Ami put a ball over the top for Jamie who beat everybody but popped her shot over the bar. Emma followed that with a through ball to Jamie, her shot was blocked and the ball fell to Ami who just could not get her shot away.
Allscott then won another three corners in succession, the best a deep cross that Emma got her head to but could not get enough on it to steer it towards goal.
As the game drew to a close it was Allscott who were finishing the strongest, Zara released Jamie who cut inside to beat the defender before powering a cross in, the Solihull defence put in a solid header to clear the danger.
Allscott got the goal they deserved in the closing minutes of the game when Zara hit a ball over the top for Jamie, who sprinted into the box with the ball, cut inside and curled a lovely shot round the far post and into the net.
They say that the results of friendly games do not matter in the big scheme of things but are just indications, well if this is any indication of what is to come then a settled and full strength Allscott side will do just fine next season.
Final Score
Allscott 1 – 0 Solihull.
Match report – Jade Hill and the Allscott Ladies Press Office
