In the Pink – Update

Hebden Royd Utd v Tingley Sunday 15th November 2009

The above game with Premiership team Hebden Royd saw the ladies travelling over to the muddy field that was Hebden’s home ground, convieniently situated in a park between a pub and a canal.  Some of the laydeez took full advantage of the facilities (Lottie and Luili) and made for the swings, whilst the rest of us jumped from the high wall into the mud.  With the rare advantage of having a full team and a sub, but without Kim how would we fare in this County Cup clash.  With Vince away and Stuart  taking up the mantle of coach this was going to be no easy game for us, but thankfully it wasn’t raining.  The laydeez in the unlucky pink away strip and the Royders in orange this was a colour clash for the eyes, at least the ref stood out in his svelte black get up.

The pinkies quickly took the game to the Royders, with Amy finding Jenni who passed to Em who slotted a cheeky first past the Royd keeper, the Tingley faithful could hardly believe we had actually scored against a Prem team so easily.  The Royders however were quick to take up on some out of sorts defending from the back four of Leanne, Alex, Tegan and Simone  and found a hole in which to slot the equaliser through.  Much to-ing and fro-ing and sliding tackles from Jenni did little to help the scoreline and shots were volleyed at both keepers without actually hitting the back of the net.  Em did her best and sat on at least two of the Royd players, but the ref soon got wise to that lil trick.  Liuli and Nikki worked well upfront together at least giving the keeper something to do, other than gaze at the lovely scenery.  A lacklustre first half ended 1-1   Second half saw Lottie on for Leanne, and  a fired up laydeez  start at least looking like they wanted to win the game.  Amy struggling with an old injury bravely soldiered on making some crucial tackles to get  the ball to Liuli who had no trouble out manovering the Royd defence, with a flick of her foot she found Nikki who slotted our 2nd past the Royd keeper.  The laydeez had indeed started to believe they could do this and upset the proverbial apple cart.  Fired up and more vocal than ever they spurred each other on, til eventually a good run by Brownie saw her finding Em who passed to Nikki who quickly blasted the 3rd home.  A bit of 2 goal comfort zone, but we had seen it all before.  The Royders were now in no mood to play nicely andwere taking great potshots at old Soybean, who dealt with them all admirably until disaster happened and a corner was awarded.  A muddle of feet saw the ball clear the line making it 2-3.  Laydeez heads drooped a bit, whilst the Royders picked up on their last goal.  Amy and Em battled in midfield trying to get the ball upfront, Lottie doing well in her defensive role saw a wayward tackle award a free kick to the Royders.  Soybean managed to keep the ball out but the ensuing scramble saw it sail over the line allowing them the equaliser.  From our comfortable lead, we were now level.  With minutes to go the laydeez upped the game.  Playing as a team they passed the comfortably between themselves, again finding Brownie on the wing who bypassed the defence to find Liu who blasted the 4th past the keeper.  We now had to find the strength to hang on again to a slender lead.  The faithful were behind the team willing them on.  Again shots were aimed at Soybean (who I personally think wasn’t OUR Soybean) and somehow she managed to make some miraculous saves.  Again the Royders  were awarded a corner and with most of their team in the box they headed home the equaliser.  The clock was ticking and legs were tired and aching, if the laydeez didn’t get another goal this game had to go to extra time.  Sadly the whistle blew and we were stuck there.  A swift motivational talk by yours truly saw the pinkies trudge back onto the pitch for another 20 minutes (and potential penalty shootout).  HORROR!!!  The laydeez took the kick off and with only 10 players on the pitch (Liu on the fone sorting work out), they battled to keep the Royders from scoring the most important goal of the day.  Again Soybean dealt withany danger that came her way, battling to keep us in this game.  The Royders were awarded a free kick (some shirt tugging methinks) and they quickly took it placing it neatly out of Soybeans reach, disaster they had scored at the end of the first half of extra time.  Quick drinks and it was straight back on, the light was fading and so were our hopes of staying in this cup competition.  It was however a different set of laydeez that went back on the field (yes I really did have that many subs….NOT).  They were determined that one dodgy goal was not going to ruin their day.  I have never seen them battle so hard, they knew they had a hell of a job to do in 10 minutes.  Each of them played their part and saw them actually thinking where they were going to place the ball.  Soybean took a goal kick and found an unmarked Brownie who set off at pace, passing to Nikki who swiftly passed it back to Brownie who more or less looked the keeper in the eye and knocked it straight past her.  We were now at 5-5, the faithful were screaming and willing the pinkies (who were now bright red) on to get that elusive decider.  Em steamrolling her way through saw the keeper coming out to meet her, she quickly passed to Nikki who had an open goal and not even she could miss that, yup number 6 was ours.  The laydeez were putting in an awesome display of courage, and with only 10 on the pitch due to Liu having cramp and being forced off it was even more fantastic.  The grim determination of them all shone through, this was a match they had to win.  Could we hold on with a one goal lead???  They laydeez were determined this was their day.  The Royders however decided they wanted penalties and with a last grasp they headed toward Soybean and shot the ball straight towards the Tingley goal, the crowd could barely look, old soybean really did make the save of the game.  With a swift kick out from Lottie, the ball found Nikki, who was hemmed in by the Royd defence, Em barged her way through and charged towards the keeper knocking her out of the way to score a timely 7th goal.  Never in my wildest dreams did I believe that they could play 90 minutes of football and be huffing and puffing and then into extra time, it was like they had just stepped on the pitch.  The curse of the pink was finally lifted.  They battled hard and played well above was was required.  A massive thanks to all the parents for their support and for egging the laydeez on to win, to Statto for keeping score (as always), to Dave Smith for stepping in and coaching and to Ryan (Lius boyf)  for running the line and acting as physio.  I would also like to thank myself for turning up, running the line (when Ryan was physio-ing) and for motivating them to the great victory (ha ha).  No seriously THIS was your day.

Special mention to Amy, thanks for staying on the pitch when I know yer ankle was giving you hell and to Liu for coming back on even tho you were in agony with cramp.

POTM – Soybean (or the doppleganger) for the best goalkeeping she has ever done.

HOTM – Jenni (trying to wallop the opposition in front of the ref).

TTFN