Lancaster 2 vs Pendle Forest 3

Lancaster 2s      3-1        Pendle Forest 3s

On Saturday Lancaster 2s welcomed Pendle Forest 3s. Lancaster started the brighter of the two teams. Two minutes into the game Amelia Welch went on a solo run down the left-hand side before playing a ball to the base line finding Liola Walmsley, who fired the ball across the D at pace to find Lauren Allwood at the back post who calmly slotted the ball into the back of the net.

Lancaster were spurred on by this, Susie Crayton and Jess Dawson linked up well to keep the momentum going. 17 minutes into the first half Emily Bamber-Dowthwaite received the ball in the D before calmly playing it onto the foot of an approaching defender earning Lancaster a short corner. The ball was played to Carla Bleasdale who was set and waiting at the top of the D. She smashed the ball and it found its way through the emerging Pendle Forest defence only to be seen too late by the Pendle Forest goalkeeper too late as the resounding sound of the backboard echoed out. Lancaster led 2-0 going into half time.

Pendle Forest started the second half bright but the half backs of Molly Chapman and Kiera Langley were quick to get in key tackles and interceptions to stop them reaching the D. 10 minutes into the second half Ellie Blackstone found herself in ample of space on the right, she drove the ball forward before finding a Pendle Forest foot in the D earning Lancaster a short corner.

Lancaster set up the same, Carla Bleasdale was set at the top of the D. The ball was pushed out to her before she struck the ball towards the goal. The Pendle Forest Goalkeeper lifted her foot to let the ball go into the goal much to the dismay of the Pendle Forest defence. The whistle went and the goal was given. Time was stopped to allow both umpires to discuss whether the ball left the D to stand and it was agreed by both parties that the ball had and the goal stood. Following this, the Pendle Forest goalkeeper after dissent was shown a green card.

Lancaster were unable to take advantage of the two-minute green card to the Pendle Forest goalkeeper but remained solid. 10 minutes to go Pendle earned a short corner which they converted making the score Lancaster 3 v 1 Pendle Forest. This spurred them on and the Lancaster defence of Lottie Horner and Frances Archer were put under extreme pressure with Goalkeeper Rebecca Halliwell having to make a number of keys saves. 4 minutes to go and Pendle Forest earned a short corner, which then led to a flurry of short corners one after the other but the Lancaster defence remained solid and kept them out.

The game ended Lancaster 2s 3, Pendle Forest 3s 1. The 3 points saw Lancaster 2s climb to 4th in the league.

Team: Rebecca Halliwell (GK) (C), Lottie Horner, Frances Archer, Molly Chapman, Kiera Langley, Amelia Welch, Carla Bleasdale, Susie Crayton, Lauren Allwood, Liola Walmsley, Jess Dawson, Emily Bamber-Dowthwaite and Ellie Blackstone

Goal Scorers: Lauren Allwood and Carla Bleasdale x2

Player of the Match: Carla Bleasdale

Match Sponsor: Barbara Glover