Haslingden Sharks V Cadley - 30/11/2016

With Steve having a nearly full strength squad to pick from it was harder to leave out than put in. The starting line up was Mackenzie in goal, Eve Hadley and Whittaker in defence, Grace Hadley and Dunn in midfield, with Purdy and Blackburn up front. The subs being Halewood, Horsfield, Williams and Hardacre.
The Sharks kick off, and with no chances until after two minutes when Cadley scores after the Sharks fail to clear their lines, goal 0-1. The Sharks step up their play with Blackburn making some good runs and looking threatening. On the fourth minute Mackenzie makes the first of numerous saves followed by a succession of corners with E Hadley and Whittaker blocking and clearing 3 or 4 times.
The thirteeen minute Williams and Hardacre come on for Blackburn and Dunn. Then the fifteenth minute G Hadley sets off in her own half, beats three players and thunders in a centre and there is Purdy on the penalty spot to volley home a waist high ball. Goal of the season so far and would have lit up a premier league match. 1-1.
In the next attack it's G. Hadley again passing through to Purdy who made the Cadley goalkeeper make a good save. After 22 minutes there's a close call but E. Hadley defends resolutely and the danger is cleared. Thirty minutes were played in the first half with the last chance to G. Hadley who shot just wide.
Half-Time 1-1
At the start of the second half Halewood and Horsfield replaced Hardacre and Purdy. In Cadley's first attack they come close to scoring, then in the 34th minute G. Hadley and Whittaker are replaced with Purdy and Dunn. In the next five minutes Cadley pressed very hard with Cadley's Hannah Weardon and Mailha running the show for them. Mackenzie, having to save four shots and half a dozen going just wide, the Sharks are just holding out. On the 38th minute the Hadley sisters changed and Whittaker and Blackburn came on for Williams and Horsfield.
The Sharks began to take control of the midfield with Blackburn running riot with the ball, then in the 42nd minute Cadley attack with Mackenzie saving well and from the corner she makes a double save. On the 46th minute Blackburn collects the ball and goes off on one of her amazing runs, on reaching the goal line she dribbles across the goal and slides the ball home 2-1.
The Sharks now push forward and win a corner, G Hadley floats the ball over and Dunn in the area has her first shot blocked but follows up to slot the ball home 3-1.
Both teams push for a goal but Purdy now in defence clears everything the Cadley team throw at her. No more chances and the Sharks stand firm for the full three points. Louise Mackenzie was outstanding in goal deserving the Player of the Match. Midfielder Grace Hadley received the Player of the Month Trophy.
Full-Time 3-1