Result : WIN 3-1 vs Old Uxonian 1s
Match Report : Jo Price
The early season fixture against Old Uxes saw the 5’s take a 2-0 lead only to see the U’s wrest control and snatch a 3-2 win. Like Southgate they are also flirting with a top of the league place but with a game in hand so this felt like a must win game.
This week the team welcomed Asha and Freya fresh from their junior successes and the plan was to pass pass and pass again to ensure that we used our youth and experience to outgun an older but very canny side.
Southgate took control from the off with excellent inter play all over the park and the defence efficiently absorbing any signature long through balls, keeping the home side pinned in their defensive half. The U’s were forced to use all their guile and experience to prevent the ball crossing the line. SG remained patient, the breakthrough coming when a neat pass from Lara found Lynn well positioned to slip the ball home from close range. A second goal followed when Amba took the opposition by surprise ghosting in from LB to slot the ball inside the left post and the first half finished with us again holding a 2-0 lead.
The second half called for cool heads and more high tempo play. Uxes opted to change their tactic and put their efforts into keeping two players high which gained some initial success. A break through to the circle forced the SG defence to scramble the ball away just before it crossed the goal line and the visitors had to maintain their composure to bring the ball away and set up a counterattack.
Southgate were now pressing high in search of a 3rd goal and effectively put the game to bed when a good clearance from the U’s led to a 2 v 1 scenario, Jo racing back to channel the ball carrier before Asha arrived to drive upfield.
The 5’s continued to move the ball well, when an uncustomary fumble in the middle gave Uxe’s CF the opportunity to run into the D and force their first PC of the game. A strong injection evaded the defensive runners and a close range shot ricocheted off an Sg foot and into the goal. Game on!
Plenty of contenders for MVP in this match with Amba and Freya coming out as joint winners.