Salisbury FC Women host Trowbridge Wanderers Ladies FC at the Raymond McEnhill Stadium with good conditions for a football match – the occasional spot of rain. A debut today for striker Leanne Griffiths-Lower and a return to the squad for winger Lucy Pears.
Salisbury get us underway and are quickly unsettled and lose possession only to regain it, they push forward but get nowhere as the ball is knocked out for a throw-in. Salisbury take the throw and try and pass but struggle to string together more than three passes as the ball is knocked out of play again – the first half is a struggle for possession with Salisbury not finding their feet.
Evie Cummings has a good chance on goal as she makes a run down the wing chasing a good through ball but never quite makes it stick, having it booted back into the Salisbury back line.
The first half includes a pass back to goalkeeper Shauna Howe which is uncontrolled, and sent just wide of the box, she scrambles to collect the ball and comes off her line but Captain Gemma Marsh gets the ball out of the danger area with a strong clearance.
The game is mainly being played in the middle of the park going one way and then the other, Salisbury seem to be making more progress but everytime they edge forwards they lose control of the ball.
The ref blows for half-time current score 0-0
The game restarts and Salisbury are playing with more control and better quality passing, they are working towards the Trowbridge goal but the ball goes behind for a goal kick. The goal kick doesn’t go far and finds Evie Cummings who controls it and taps it up the wing, chasing after it and getting a foot on the ball, finding the back of the net with a fantastic strike. 1-0 to Salisbury.
Trowbridge kick off and string a couple of passes together but struggle to make any progress, the battle remains in the midfield area where Salisbury are making it hard for them to advance on goal but at the same time, failing to progress themselves.
Substitution for Salisbury as Kelly Church makes way for Leanne Griffiths-Lower, with Evie Cummings dropping back to make way for Leanne in a striker position.
Trowbridge take a weak shot on goal from a long distance which goes through the back line, triggering an offside flag, and rolls past Shauna Howe who thinks it’s going wide, and watches it roll over the line. 1-1. As a result of the ref missing the lino flag, Salisbury head coach Jason Mussellwhite is given a yellow card.
Just after the hour mark Noni Davis comes on for Vice Captain Ellen Clarke and Amy Sanger replaces Olivia Leather, both as attacking midfielders. Shortly after the substitutions, Deyna Davie lays a great ball off to Rachel Lang who runs overtakes Trowbridge’s right back, cuts into the box, and makes an excellent shot on goal making it 2-1 to Salisbury.
Trowbridge kickoff but Salisbury instantly apply pressure and win the ball back. Finding their feet towards the latter half of the second half, Salisbury make some strong connecting passes and ultimately find Deyna Davie who has a shot on goal. It flies towards goal and high into the top right corner, the keeper can’t get anywhere near it as it makes the net ripple. 3-1 Salisbury.
Deyna Davie is shortly subbed off for Vice Captain Ellen Clarke, Lucy Pears comes off for Olivia Leather and Nicky Millings who has had an amazing game so far makes way for Gemma Fletcher.
Leanne Griffiths-Lower is fed a lovely through ball from Evie Cummings and Leanne sprints past her marker, pauses calmly near the penalty spot, drags across and strikes the ball to find the back of the net. She claims her debut goal and makes it 4-1 to Salisbury.
The ref blows the final whistle, finishing the game 4-1 to Salisbury. Nicky Millings is awarded player of the match for her constant high quality football in the centre defensive role.
Match Reporter – Sean Brady
