Bedlington Town Wildcats v Montagu & North Fenham Jaguars

10 December 2011

For the second week running, we were up against the Jaguars on our home pitch. We notched up a good win against today's opponents in the cup last week, but they were able to field a stronger team this week and we could not take anything for granted. Monty Jags are a big strong set of girls who would be able to steamroller a lot of teams in our league, but last week proved that we are the better footballing side and we would need to outplay them rather than out muscle them again.

It was a very cold start to the day, but by the time it came to our 1.00pm kick off it was a bit warmer (relatively speaking) with little or no wind. Following a text advising the girls to wrap up warm (winter draws on!!) the full squad except for Ellie, who was unable to play, were prepared to do battle on a flat but heavy pitch in front of expectant supporters of both teams. Wildcats supporters were looking for a repeat of last week's game, and Monty Jags supporters were looking for revenge.

With both teams nicely warmed up, the game was ready to start. Monty (our Monty) sent out Moley in goal with Caz, Mazie and George in front of her. Midfield consisted of Demi, Amy (captain for the day) and Bella with Erin and Lauren up front. Jaguars kicked off, but were unable to make any progress into our half of the field with play being restricted to a few metres either side of the half way line until they made the first real attack of the game to win a corner which was well defended and cleared. The ball was soon in the Jaguars half and Wildcats won their first corner which was again well defended and cleared. At this stage in the game the possession was fairly even, but Wildcats were playing the better football and seemed to be getting the upper hand because of this. Jaguars were defending deep, but when they were able, they were sending a long ball to their forwards and one such ball enabled a speedy forward to escape our defence and run at goal, but Moley was there to save well and prevent the score.

We won a series of corners (Lauren managed to kick both ball and corner flag for one of them!) but we were unable to turn the pressure into goals and shortly after all of our pressure we fell behind to a freak goal. The ball was cleared up field and Moley was first to it but her kick hit an oncoming forward and the ball flew into the back of our net for the opening goal. What a fluke!!!

It had been a long time since we had been behind in a game, but we continued to play the attacking football we prefer and Demi crossed the ball to Bella who was just wide with her shot. Alice came on for Erin as George set up a left wing attack finding Bella who had to make do with yet another corner and we were still not able to turn our advantage into goals. Amy was the next to try her luck when she collected a Mazie throw and held off a couple of defenders before getting her shot away only to see it cleared. Erin returned to the game in place of Amy and watched Demi win a corner from a free kick. The equaliser which had been threatened for a while came when Caz collected the ball from Moley and found Alice on the right wing. Alice made good use of her speed, looked up when she was clear of the defenders and found Demi with a good ball which was smashed into the net from distance to bring us level.

A carbon copy run by Alice shortly afterwards enabled her to find Demi again; same play; same result and Wildcats were deservedly in the lead. We were pegged back again with another deflected shot past a helpless Moley and the game was all square again, albeit against the run of play.

The half time whistle blew with the score even at two goal a piece. Wildcats were the better of the two teams, but the physical strength of the Jaguars was always a threat both in defence where we were unable to push them off the ball, and in attack when balls cleared out of defence missed out our midfield and put our defenders under pressure. The game so far had been exciting and while we were not necessarily at our best, we still had the ability to take the game to the Jaguars and we looked the most likely to score if we could take advantage of our lions share of possession.

For the start of the second half, Amy returned to the field with Bella having a turn on the side line. We attacked from the start of the half but Monty Jags were able to defend and set up a period of domination when they spent a good few minutes in our half looking for the goal which would give them the lead. During this pressure, Moley had a fright when a fierce shot surprised her but she was able to drop on the ball at the foot of her post and push it away for a corner. During this period of Jaguars attacking, our defenders (with help from other team members) held firm and we gradually started to push the Jags back and we then started to use our wings better to stretch play and create more space in front of goal. Making full use of the width of the pitch, Demi set off on another run and she was very unlucky to see her shot hit the post and come back into play, she did however get her reward when the loose ball found its way back to her and she was able to complete her hat trick and the Wildcats were in front once again.

This was the chance for Monty (our Monty) to get Bella back on to the pitch in place of Caz, with Amy dropping back into defence in her place. We almost immediately scored again when yet another Demi run and shot was well saved by the Jags 'keeper who was having a very good game. We were still enjoying a lot of the play, but needed to defend breakaways and be strong in our defending against two or more fast attackers.

With the centre of the pitch being a bit heavy (in fact decidedly Claggy) we were getting a lot of joy down both wings again. Alice outran the defence and passed the ball to Bella whose shot was saved and then the ball ran to Erin who saw her shot saved also; this was another period of good Wildcats pressure. The pressure reaped its reward when a poor goal kick was collected by Mazie who found Demi with an inch perfect pass which she was able to take full advantage of and score her fourth and the Wildcats fourth goal of the game.

It was beginning to look as if we were taking control of the game and spectators and coaches alike were making a lot of noise to encourage the girls towards greater efforts. Erin almost got her head to a cross before the ball found its way to Lauren on the left wing and her strong cross/shot was deflected by a Jaguars defender into the net. (an after match discussion by the 'disputed goals' panel awarded the goal to Lauren as the shot was on target!!!!! wasn't it Lauren)

This much more comfortable score line was just reward for our efforts and the better quality of our play. We were making better use of the conditions, and playing the better football although it must be said that we were unable to take it easy even this late in the game. Alice continued to make good use of the firmer ground on our right wing but was unable to get any reward for her efforts.

The final whistle was about to blow when we watched a ball run slowly past Moley's left hand post and away out of danger.

The game ended with a core of 5 - 2 to the Wildcats to push us up into second place in the league. Monty was very pleased with the way the Wildcats had stuck to the task even though they were not at their best. Today's game proved that we are able to win (and win well) even when we are not firing on all cylinders because we have the belief in ourselves and the ability to work hard for each other.

Girl of the game was Demi, and Managers girl of the game was Moley, well done!

This hard fought win gets us up into second place in the league, still six points behind Monty Pumas but with a game in hand and we are due to play them away from home next Saturday. Pumas still have a 100% record, and although we suffered our only defeat of the season against them, we are a better team than we were in September when we a bit shocked by their 'robust' style.

We will need to be at our best, but there is no doubt that we are capable of winning the game and, who knows…………….maybe even the league!!!

League table as at 10 December 2011

Well done today everybody, you all worked very hard for the win and deserved the result because of your determination. It is not often that we need to come back from behind in a game, but we were able to do so today with some style and secure the win we needed to maintain our push for the top.

Thank you again for another Wildcats Saturday and another Wildcats win…….let's keep it going.