Mellor 0 v 1 Haslingden u16s

A visit to Blackburn on Remembrance Sunday for the u16s this week to play Mellor.
Fresh from last weeks win against Euxton the home side were keen to avenge their loss against us earlier in the season and were strong in the opening exchanges. Both sides struggled to get hold of the ball and keep control of it as nobody was given any time with challenges being almost instant. Due to a late withdrawal from the team, Emily was moved into the centre of defence for the first time this season. Her pace and desire to win the ball back helped the team massively as Mellor were very quick when they managed to break out of midfield. The pitch was very soft which made running with the ball very difficult, fortunately our recent training sessions were paying off. All the girls were passing the ball around the pitch well and we were soon getting in dangerous positions but unable to really trouble the goal keeper. A few tweaks to the defensive set up appeared to be working with Mellor finding it difficult to play the ball through us. Louise, back in goal, was coming out and collecting any through balls well and was helping the defence with plenty of instructions. 0-0 at halftime with neither side having many good opportunities, although Tanya and Alannah had a couple of long range shots go just wide.
There wasn't much to say to the girls at half time other than just keep going and doing exactly what they had been doing, they would get a goal. Mellor were now playing uphill and were finding it even harder to make Louise get dirty. Amelia settled into her more advanced position well and was almost a winger at one point. Robyn, a replacement in midfield, found the ball bounce kindly for her and had a shot from distance that went just wide of the post. The 2nd half was going just like the 1st with a goalless score looking likely. Nobody would have complained if it ended up that way as it was a very even game and all the players had worked hard. Somebody wasn't happy though as she didn't score last week and wouldn't go another week without getting on the score sheet. Alesha got hold of the ball and split the defence with a pass to Alannah who let the ball run across her and shot first time. The ball seemed to take ages, but it found the far corner and beat Mellor's keeper. Haslingden held out for the final four minutes to earn a 1-0 victory. Apologies to the girls who didnt get a mention this week, you all played very well and worked hard.

Alannah x 1
Player of the Match - Emily
Linesman of the week - Andy