A cold biting morning saw Pendle Forest visit Fearns Sunday gone. An encouraging 0-0 draw earlier in the season against the opposition was probably the best defensive performance yet for the newly formed Sharks team. However, memories that day were of constant bombardment of the Hasi goal and expectations were for more of the same.

The Sharks lined up in a now familiar fashion; between the sticks – Louise Mackenzie, marshalling the backline Eve Hadley and Bess Whittaker; a midfield three consisting of a central Madison Purdy, flanked to the right by Daisy Halwood and to the left by Jasey Kay. Up front the expeditious Emily Blackburn partnered by the fierce boot of Grace Hadley. 8 v 8 agreed by the coaches so only one substitute on the bench; Izzy Dunn.

The game started as expected; Pendle, again a significantly bigger team to the Sharks, on the ball and straight on the attack. Apart from a few speculative efforts from afar that were easily dealt with by the safe hands of Mackenzie, the defense (buoyed by the midfield) were holding strong. Constant waves of Pendle attacks were met for the first 20 mins by the formidable right boot of Hadley(E) – clearance upon clearance sending the ball back from when’st it came!

A disappointing day for goals conceded; all rather soft that on better days for the Sharks would have been dealt with easily. The first came towards the back end of the first half; a scuffed shot somehow slipping past a couple of bodies and the keeper and into the net. 1-0 behind but not deserved. One thing this young team can certainly rely on is its resilience! Unfazed by going behind Kay, Purdy & Halwood in midfield dug in and were soon on the ball and gaining possession for Hasi. A quick interchange in the middle of the park led to Purdy finding Hadley(G) with a rare opportunity to look up in a bit of space; a great threaded ball between two Pendle defenders found Blackburn steaming in on the opposition goal. A few close touches saw her gain fantastic position to take the shot on goal which she dually got away – hit well but this time too close to the keeper who was able to make the save. 1-0 down then at half time but the Haslingden girls were battling well and on the balance of play deserved to be level.

Second half and Pendle cranked up the pressure but again the keeper and the back two were steadfast in their lines. Attack followed attack with little chance of any rest bite at the other end of the pitch. Kay having her best game this season came into her own – strong in the midfield tackle and some mighty throw ins down the line abled the release of some of the mounting pressure.

Something had to give; unfortunately it was the Sharks net. Another three goals conceded that didn’t take long to fade from the memory. Each as unspectacular as the previous creeping into the Hasi goal.

4-0 and cruising but the Pendle coach baying for more on the touchlines. The Sharks again rallied and kept the onslaught at bay for the remaining minutes of play.

This team are as belligerent as they come; week after week they face battle hardened opposition but never once have we witnessed their heads fall or their enthusiasm waiver. The girls should know, we, and the club, are proud of them all……….

This weeks Man of the Match, as voted for by the opposition, Eve Hadley. Rock solid at the back all day long; but Jasey Kay must have run her close!