Fleetwood Town U14 Girls 6
Rossendale Rangers U14 Girls 3
Sunday 9th November 2008
By Paul Holme
After attending the Remembrance Service on the Memorial Park, the Fleetwood girls set about this battle determined not to slip up against a very competitive Rossendale Rangers side. The East Lancashire outfit had yet to beat Fleetwood Town in all competitions.
Fleetwood pressed from the off and within a few short minutes gained a corner. Stephanie Massie curled the ball into the box, which was flicked on by Sarah Fay and fell for Emily McCarthy who volleyed from short distance hitting the net and putting Fleetwood 1 nil up. Fleetwood looked vulnerable at the back with a makeshift defence of Demi Parker and Chloe Holme, but Stephanie Massie commanded well sweeping up any loose balls. Victoria Lowe contained the left with good play.
It wasn’t long before Fleetwood were on the hunt again with Lauren Fail slotting home making it 2 nil. Whether it was complacency or cockiness, Fleetwood began to come under attack from a resilient Rossendale side. The visitors efforts were rewarded when keeper Lottie Walsh was unable to gather a cross, gifting the forward with an easy tap home. Rossendale were now up for the challenge and continued to press hard but left themselves open at the back. Several breaks by Fleetwood piled pressure on the Rossendale goal and resulted in Megan Brown putting the home side 3 – 1 up just before half time.
Rossendale came out the strongest to a reformed Fleetwood side and scored making it 3 – 2 within minutes. Fleetwood changed gear and attacks from Rebecca Lowe, Megan Brown and a weighted pass from Rebecca Harper to Sarah Fay (pictured) saw her finish with ease. Next on the goal sheet was Emily McCarthy with a cool finish from a mistake by the Rossendale keeper and defender. With a mix up in the Fleetwood defence Rossendale slotted pass the helpless Lottie Walsh making it 5 -3. A few more attacks by Rossendale down the left were contained by Chloe Holme and Jess Smith. Emily Hanson replaced Rebecca Lowe providing fresh legs up front and after pressure from the Fleetwood forwards Sarah Fay finished with a great strike.
Fleetwood worked hard this week and saw off a never say never Rossendale side who’s position in the league is not a true reflection.
Richardson’s Player of the Match was Stephanie Massie.
Managers Player Victoria Lowe
Line up
Lottie Walsh, Chloe Holme, Steph Massie, Victoria Lowe, Sarah Fay, Emily McCarthy, Rebecca Lowe, Lauren Fail, Rebecca Harper, Megan Brown. Subs Jessica Smith, Emily Hanson.
