Lancaster 1 vs Deeside Ramblers 1

Lancaster 1s      1-3        Deeside Ramblers 1s

Lancaster 1^st Team started the 2022-2023 season with an away match to Deeside.

Lancaster started the brightest keeping possession and working the ball forward and attacking down the wing. Holly Hunter making some darting runs down the right-hand side feeding the ball through to Ali Standeven-Johns.

Deeside had their first opportunity feeding the ball into space for a 1 on 1. Goalkeeper Leighan Bleasdale was alert to smother the ball and danger away. Undeterred by Deeside’s break away Lancaster continued to press earning a number of short corners. Nicola Conway came agonisingly close hitting the post off a powerful straight strike.

The Lancaster defence came under pressure a few times but Nina Helme remained strong in the tackle and 1^st Team debutant Zoe Oswald cleared away any danger.

Lancaster made their first mistake mis-trapping a ball and not setting up early enough to defend Deeside’s quick break to the top of the D. The unmarked player smashed the ball to the right-hand corner of the goal, Bleasdale got her hand to it but couldn’t keep it out. Deeside’s second came from another break away goal against the run of play.

At half-time Lancaster regrouped and started the second half as aggressive as the first. A couple of opportunities were saved by the Deeside goalkeeper. Deeside scored their third with another breakaway goal down their left-hand side, the ball was fired across the front of goal above knee height. Oswald tried to intercept before a Deeside forward reached it but instead deflected it to the top left-hand corner of the goal. A stunning goal just unfortunately at the wrong end.

Oswald didn’t shy away from further strong tackles and shortly after put her body on the line taking a straight strike into her body. Deeside scuppered the advantage played by the umpire and Lancaster managed to break down the right-hand side. Lancaster did earn a consolation goal scored by Conway from a well worked short corner.

Despite the result Lancaster played well but will need to make the most of opportunities when they welcome Kirkby Stephen at home next week.

Team: Leighan Bleasdale (GK) (C), Nina Helme, Zoe Oswald, Nicola Conway, Angie Evans-Hill, Ella Bookless, Hayley Standeven-Johns, Ali Standeven-Johns, Rebecca Worthington, Izzy Finley, Sophie Christopherson, Holly Hunter and Libby Thwaites

Goal Scorer: Nicola Conway

Players of the Match: Ella Bookless and Nina Helme

Team Sponsor: Sue Bridges Estate and Letting Agents

Match Sponsor: Fisher Wrathall