Following a three-month break, it was good to see all the girls back together and having put some real effort in during training, it was also going to be good to be back on that competitive pitch. Crompton FC Women were the visitors to The County Ground for this one and with the temperature rising and the weather hot, the scene was set for a great afternoon of football. It was going to be a tough one for both sets of players that was for sure…
The girls warmed up – even though they really didn’t need to – and when the game began, it was County that started the better. We began to pass the ball around well and it was pulling the visiting defenders all over the park. With only 3 minutes on the clock, a great through-ball saw Amelia onto it like a whippet and as she cracked her shot on target, the home supporters waited for the net to bulge – only to see the Crompton keeper get down well to make a fine save. So close but the early signs were good…
It didn’t take us long to grab the lead though as with 11 minutes gone, it was that woman Amelia that broke free again. This time she beat her marker easily for pace, hit the bye-line and crafted in a delightful cross that met the run of Faye – who neatly slotted the ball home from about 10 yards out. 1-0 to County and our pre-season had started in earnest…
The visitors didn’t take going behind easily and they battled hard to try and get through our defence – but we were solid back there and going in front gave us the confidence to knock the ball around with ease. So it was no surprise when the ball was fed through to Amelia and she left the Crompton defender for dust as she sprinted clear, approached the box and then looked up to slam her shot low and hard into the bottom corner of their net. 2-0 and we were playing like we meant it…
Still not content with showing their attacking prowess, it was that pairing again that saw us go 3-0 up. Ably supported by all of their team-mates, Amelia was getting a lot of freedom to create danger and once more, she crossed deliciously for Faye to rise like a Warbies loaf to power her header into the back of their net and give the Crompton No.1 absolutely no chance of keeping it out. A brace for our Faye and this had been a great first half in our preparation for the upcoming campaign – we just had to do it again for another 45 minutes now…
Half-time: BOLTON COUNTY WOMEN 3-0 Crompton FC Women
The coaches were quite rightly delighted with that performance so far – but they were quick to remind their troops that we need to do that for the full 90 minutes if we want to be challenging for things this season. Concentration is key now so go back out there and keep playing our football as though the score was still 0-0. With their drinks gulped and the lungs quickly refilled, they were back out on the field again and ready to go again…
Having lost Laura early in the game to an injury, there was further disruption when Lucy – making her debut in the famous blue and flouro shirt – suffered a head injury which meant we had no choice to being her off. That meant we slotted Becci in at centre-half and on went the game. The changes in positions had an effect on the women though and it saw our rhythm interrupted – with only some fine saves from our Becky between the sticks saw us remain three goals to the good. And despite the visitors seeing most of the attacking chances now, it was County who scored the next goal – and what a goal it was too! A great ball through the middle saw Kelly Rearden onto it in a flash and as she approached their keeper, she chipped it over her ‘Ella Toone’ style to see the ball nestle in the bottom of their net and give us a surely unassailable lead of 4-0. Happy with this so far…
Fair play to the visitors though as they never gave up and working hard, they managed to pull a goal back when they got on the end of a corner and managed to force the ball home despite Becky’s best efforts to keep it out. This gave the Crompton women a renewed vigour and slightly winning the midfield battle, they reduced the arrears further when a great ball over the top saw their striker race through and calmly finish into the bottom corner from about 12 yards out. 4-2 and the score-line seemed a little flattering considering the balance of play. But that was that really and when the referee decided to call time with a sharp blow of the whistle, it was County who were victorious. The handshakes were done with respect and as both sets of players left the pitch, they were rightly applauded by the gathering fans. A good effort in that weather and a win is always a nice feeling regardless of the time of season…
Considering the long lay-off over the summer, this had been a solid performance and with great debuts for Lucy and Julia – who both slotted in really well – there is a lot to be excited about. Every player out there contributed to this result and they were praised accordingly – however Amelia was awarded the GOTG for constantly being a thorn in their side and assisting two goals. Well done to you!
And that was that. The game was over and we looked forward to our annual challenge of playing our mates at Carlisle United Women. Good luck to Crompton FC Women for their upcoming season and nuff respeck’ to the travelling fans who made themselves heard out there today. But it’s a win in our first game – so let’s hope we’re saying that a lot more often over the course of the next 10 months or so…
#UpTheCounty!
