Buxton Ladies 2s v Derby 5s
13 October 2018
Fixture: Buxton Ladies 2’s vs Derby 5’s
Result: 1-2
Player of the match: Bronwen Ley
This week Buxton ladies 2’s welcomed both Derby 5ths and Storm Callum to Fortress Green Lane, both proved to be worthy adversaries!
As it was a friendly fixture and Derby had only brought ten players, Buxton generously gave them one of their newer players Catherine Spriggs and she performed brilliantly for Derby throughout the match, Buxton look forward to her playing for them in the near future.
Fielding a new variation of the previous weeks’ teams due to injuries and absences, Buxton took their time to settle into their style of play and get to grips with Derby’s big hitting style. Buxton used their width to good effect getting the ball via the mids of Kate Desmond and Kate Pogmore to the wings of Gina Howarth and Ellie Mangnall to make some great attacking runs towards the D. Unfortunately, Derby’s defence was strong and long clearances rapidly switched play. However, Buxton’s defence matched them in strength with the back line of Julie Shaw, Rebecca Perring and Bronwen Ley resolutely keeping Derby at bay whilst the roving Emma Alexander seemed to be everywhere on the pitch. Keeper Molly Shaw, who grows in confidence in each game she is in goal, made some superb saves but unfortunately there was one goal line scramble too many and the ball slipped in for Derby’s first goal.
As usual this just brings out the fighting spirit in ladies 2’s and they dug in to try and even the score. Substitutes were made good use of with Sarah Bentley being brought onto the right wing and Ursula Hampton into midfield which gave Buxton fresh impetus. Captain Kate Higgins Brown linked well with the midfield to bring the ball to Sarah Ingleby and Buxton were a much more dominating presence in Derby’s D. However, their big hitter was always a thorn in Buxton’s side and it was one of these hits that gave Derby another chance to score.
After a constructive half time talk, Buxton knew what they had to do, and the plan went into action from the outset. They had more possession, passing was more fluid and players had more confidence to be imaginative with the ball and create opportunities. There were more shots on goal, more short corners won and eventually Kate Higgins Brown’s game of ping pong with the keeper was rewarded when her final smack of the ball went in. Despite maintaining the momentum to the end including Sarah Ingleby taking a tumble and winning a short corner at the final whistle, Buxton couldn’t find the equaliser and the final score was 2-1 to Derby.
Team: Emma Alexander, Sarah Bentley, Kate Desmond, Ursula Hampton, Kate Higgins Brown, Gina Howarth, Sarah Ingleby, Bronwen Ley, Ellie Mangnall, Rebecca Perring, Kate Pogmore, Julie Shaw, Molly Shaw, Catherine Spriggs