After the disappointment of the cancelled fixture last week, we all had fingers crossed that Fakenham would arrive...and fortunately they did. This was a friendly kindly arranged by Miss Holl (Please thank her)
We had a number of debutants, Beth, Laura, Lisa and lauren all played for the first time. And we had late call off's of key players due to injury and also other feeble excuses, such as "I am getting my hair cut"!
After the scramble for the shirt with the right number we had a team photo....please see below!
Then a quick warm-up from Rianna, the captain for today and we were ready to go. Fakenham had an academy player and also a couple of year 8's in their team...but I didn't mention this to the girls! The start was frantic with little real football being played, but Neatherd were dominating and had chance after chance, after chance, after chance to take the lead, but the ball wouldn't go in! Their keeper made some great saves, and everything else we hit seemed to strike the keeper, or go just wide. Rianna was the main culprit although others were involved!
At the back Paige and Leah were dealing with everything Fakenham had with super efficiency. Lucy in goal had very little to do, infact I am not sure she touched the ball for the first 15mins. Anything that did come down the flanks Lisa and Anya dealt with, our defence was solid! Leah has the fantastic ability of timing tackles to perfection, always making the right decision to win or clear the ball...long may this continue!
Before half time we did play some good football, Beth came on and showed some excellent passing, also in Midfield Danni and Rachel were linking well with Lauren to set up more chances, but still no goal! Rianna did eventually score, she intercepted a goal kick ran on and shot straight at the keeper, but with such pace that she could not stop it! 1-0 Neatherd. Half Time.
Second half saw a good pass from Beth (via Danni and Lucy) end up at Rianna, who shot first time in at the near post. 2-0 Neatherd. Lucy and Jaye were working hard in midfield, but it was Fakenham who scored next, with a good shot into the corner fvom the girl in blue boots. Then Neatherd scored, Rianna and Lucy ran through, and Lucy shot well past the keeper. 3-1 Neatherd.
With a minute to go the girl in the blue boots scored again to give the final result of Neatherd 3-2 Fakenham...a well deserved victory. Special thanks to the keepers for going in goal and also a big well done to those playing for the first time, who all did really well. Super effort from all the girls. Thanks also to the many supporters, hope you enjoyed the game.
Maybe another friendly or two, and definitely an indoor tournament after Easter.
