Salisbury are away to Royal Wootton Bassett Town Ladies who are two leagues above them for an FA cup game, match day conditions are sunny and breezy.
Nicky Millings is taking up the role of goalkeeper today away from her usual position in centre midfield, we also go into this game with limited subs with only Amy Baird and Gemma Fletcher on the bench due to multiple injuries and illness, taking out some integral players.
Wootten Bassett get the game underway and instantly apply the pressure on the Salisbury defence who clean up the ball with a good interception from Kylie Allen – she wins the ball and plays it forward into the midfield. Salisbury now hold possession and look to be taking control of the game with Olivia Leather and Amy Sanger pushing the ball up pitch and through the Wootton defence, but Georgi Bavister isn’t able to get on the end of the through ball as it’s played just beyond her reach and into the hands of the Wootton keeper.
Ten minutes into the game and Wootton have a fantastic chance on goal but it’s saved by Nicky Millings who is looking comfortable in her temporary position.
Salisbury now press up the pitch and move together as a team, looking very strong with great passing and link up play, they push together but again the Wootton back line deny them and clear the ball up field.
The first half continues with both teams making runs forward and big battles in the midfield to win the ball. Wootton have some great chances but Captain Gemma Marsh, Rachel Lang and Vice Captain Ellen Clarke are working well to deny them a goal – Nicky Millings makes another fantastic save just before we go into halftime, 0-0.
Second half underway by Salisbury and Wootton push hard on Salisbury making faster passes and quick runs, Nicky Millings saves another attempt but takes a knee to the head, after a few moments she’s back on her feet and the game continues.
Wootton have two corners in a row with the first being knocked behind the goal, causing a second which is cleared by Gemma Marsh. Amy Sanger is subbed off for Gemma Fletcher in the sixtieth minute. Wootton pass the ball down the wing and they run through the defence and with a great shot on goal, find the bottom corner. 1-0.
Georgi Bavister is subbed off for Amy Sanger who rejoins the game up top, Gemma Marsh makes a great pass down the wing which is picked up by Zoe Alcock who drives forward and crosses the ball in front of goal but it just rolls past Olivia Leather and is cleared out of play by a Wootton player. Salisbury take the throw in which is picked up by Wootton player and taken the length of the pitch and put in the back of the net making it 2-0.
Eighty-five minutes in and Salisbury are working hard to get back into the game, they are throwing everything they have going forward and Amy Sanger makes a great run and crosses the ball in, but it’s knocked out of play for a throw in which Salisbury take quickly. It finds Amy Sanger’s feet again and she takes a shot from the edge of the box, which is blocked at short distance and cleared up the pitch.
Wootton are still pressing and are awarded a free kick from a hand ball by Annabel Dugwell just outside the box. A very hard strike which hits the wall and bounces up into the air, the ball isn’t cleared and a Wootton player headers it into the back of the net 3-0.
With two minutes left of the game, Salisbury are still pushing forward and making some great passes, fighting to the last second but they have nothing to show for their efforts. Final whistle is blown and the score line is 3-0.
Salisbury played very well as a team today and for most of the match looked the stronger side.
Player Sponsor Shout Out:
Nicky Millings (GK) – Moto-Lita LTD
Gemma Marsh (C) – Tribex Services LTD
Kylie Allen – Restart IT Services
Amy Baird – Connolly SPAR
Amy Sanger – Dynamite Scaffolding
Georgi Bavister – Restart IT Services
Zoe Alcock – Prestige Entertainment
Match Report Analyst – Sean Brady
