The Divas are back in action for the new season and we kicked off our campaign to Oakwood. It was a home game and the pitches were freshly marked out, the grass was cut and the sun was shining. Everything was great, until that was that JB decided to pump up the balls only to snap the needle in one of the balls and then watching it deflate in front of him…. Only one thing for it – pop to the next pitch were the boys were playing and borrow a ball! That mission complete (and a few waves to some friends from boys the team) it was time to put the goals up. Our always helpful parents had arrived and began decanting the posts and A frames from the container which had clearly been tidied during the off season only for a further moment of panic that we could not find a stanchion. That was quickly resolved though and whilst Craig and Pete helped the parents putting up the goals First Aider Carley had gathered the girls together and started their warmup routine. This is the sign of a well organised and totally supportive group of people that are purely focussed on the girls being able to play football and enjoy themselves. After that moment of reflection JB remembered he needed to pick the team so quickly got back to work and joint up with Craig and Pete for final discussions.
Warm up completed and the starting team briefed on expectations and also a new shape for us Ref Robert got the proceedings underway. Oakwood would win the toss and kick off but almost from the first whistle our new strike partnership of Hollie and Lexi were putting the opposition under pressure and winning the ball high up the pitch. The energy and drive from the Divas was clear for all to see – they were excited to be back on the pitch and doing what they love!
By the time half time came along we were 4-0 up and the coaches were all so excited by what we had seen during the first half we could not wait for the second to kick off. But before that we needed to asses as a team what worked so well and why the score line was like it was. The girls recognised that by having two players up top we had options for our wing wizards of the first half to find. Lilly and Niamh filled these roles for the first time in our new system and they did an amazing job – coming off at half time looking very tired but very very happy. For the first time ever we played Khloee and Rose in the middle of the park together and the results of this were amazing! The way these girls controlled the game and organised the team around them was fantastic for us as coaches to see. Oakwood could not cope with the pace of our wingers let alone the movement of our central midfielders. As we play 9 aside we sacrificed one of our defenders to allow for the two up top and that saw Megan and Amy starting in defence. I am pleased to say that as with the other tactical switches we made these two took to the new role like ducks to water. The strength and power of Amy was complimented by the sped and quick thinking of Megan and the defensive line was rarely breached. In fact Daisy was struggling to remember needing to do anything over than take goal kicks in the first half. Needless to say the assessment was a very positive one.
Half time changes saw us keep the same shape but this time another new dynamic added to the mix. A differing Strike Partnership of Nyah and Annie was introduced along with two new wingers in Tillie and Lucy. Melody replaced Megan in the defence. Where as the strike team from the firs half were very central and direct this half JB had asked Nyah to work down the left side of the pitch with Tillie creating an overload on the one side with Annie covering the middle and Lucy picking up the wing role on the right. This clearly caused Oakwood more problems as they just did not know how to deal with our attackers coming at them from all angles and I must give a special mention to their Keeper who made some excellent stops during the game.
Our Midfield started to tire (Understandably) towards the end of the game and Niamh was thrown back on when Rose came off with a sore foot which saw us drop into a 3-3-2 formation for the last 5 minutes which the girls again executed with ease.
The game ended with a 5-0 win and a group of ecstatic divas (And coaches). When asked what the difference was today compared to previous games the whole team were in agreement that the new formation allowed them to play to their strengths but also encouraged them to work for each other.
JB decided that he did not have 14 Divas of the match trophies to hand out as they were all worthy of the award so following the debrief all of the girls went home very happy. The coaches were also very happy as not only had the girls demonstrated what they had been taught but the always helpful parents had tidied up and put all of the goals away tidily in the container.
Wow, Wow, Wow!!! What a day! What a game of Football!