Lancaster 1 vs Deeside Ramblers 1

Lancaster 1s      2-1        Deeside Ramblers 1

Lancaster 1s welcomed Deeside Ramblers 1s to their first home match of the 2023-2024 season. The team were eager to start despite the soggy conditions!

Lancaster started on the front foot pressuring the Deeside defence earlier on but the visitors were quick to clear their lines.

Deeside had a couple of breaks but the Lancaster defence stayed strong. The Deeside forward attempted to claim a touch in the D from a long ball but goalkeeper Leighan Bleasdale and the umpire was having none of it.

Lancaster broke the deadlock after Holly Hunter drove down the right hand side of the pitch, curving her run towards the D and firing the ball across. The goalkeeper made an initial save but Sarah Kettlewell was alert to the rebound and smashed the ball on the volley to the top left corner of the goal.

Lancaster were spurred on by the supporters and push for a second. Ali Standeven-Johns used her experience and speed to open up space in the middle of the pitch and fed the ball through to Carla Bleasdale who was waiting in the D to calmly slot the ball home. Lancaster took a 2-0 lead into half time.

As expected, Deeside through everything at the Lancaster defence, their opportunity came when the centre forward had a one v one against the goalkeeper, but Leighan Bleasdale sprinted towards the ball and slid towards the ball parrying it away with her right arm.

Jayde Christeansen and Cath Foy made a number of solid tackles to keep the attack at bay and Bleasdale was forced to make a diving save to her right to stop the ball reaching the back post for a tap in. Despite the defensive heroics Deeside worked hard to earn a number of short corners and managed to covert one with 12 minutes to go.

Despite some nerves and shaky play, Lancaster wanted the 3 points and kept possession in the Deeside half, in the final 2 minutes Lancaster wore down the clock earning a number of short corners until the full time whistle.

Team: Leighan Bleasdale (C) (GK), Carla Bleasdale, Alice Boston, Jayde Christeansen, Cath Foy, Nina Helme, Holly Hunter, Sarah Kettlewell, Katie Oliver, Zoe Oswald, Ali Standeven-Johns, Libby Thwaites and Julie Walker

Goal Scorers: Sarah Kettlewell and Carla Bleasdale

Player of the Match: Holly Hunter

Sponsor: Sue Bridges Estate and Letting Agents

Ball Sponsor: Leeanne Grayston-Aldren