It was unfortunately another disappointing result for the Wandsworth Borough Ladies today in the opening game of the group stages of the SSMT Cup. The Ladies played Sporting Duet at Kings House Sports Ground; a familiar venue for the Ladies team with prosperous memories.

The Ladies as usual blasted off into the first half of the game attacking the opposition ferociously giving them very little breathing space. Borough made use of the wings in the opening 10 minutes as the middle of the park was more like a muddy bog than a grass pitch. There were three attempts on goal with two on target before the Ladies broke the deadlock after twelve minutes.

A move which started with an epic throw out from our keeper for the day Kayleigh Hobbs; who courageously offered to go in goal when it became apparent our sweeper-keeper Chloe Russel was unavailable. The throw found the feet of Hannah Lovell who passed two opponents before squaring the ball to Rachel Marshall on the right-hand side. She played a nice little diagonal ball to Kirsty Mulchaey in the centre who chipped a perfect pass onto the chest of Gemma Priest on the right-wing who controlled it down and then drove past the opposing left-back to find Laura Mott upfront. Mott crossed the ball into the back post where our new star player Charlie Spencer was waiting to hit a cracking half volley into the top right corner of the net. An amazing move from Borough which set the scene for the rest of the first half.

The Ladies continued to pound Sporting Duet with flying moves both down the left and right wings seeing shots from Gemma Priest, Laura Mott and Hannah Lovell narrowly miss the target or be saved brilliantly by their keeper who was having a very busy start to the game. A second cross played into the back post by Gemma Priest nearly found the feet of Charlie Spencer again who certainly would have made it count if she had been just a little faster. Katie Braithwaite linked up well with Leah Wilkinson down the left to play some nice balls into the box and force a couple of corners that proved threatening but unfortunately were not capitalised upon.

As the first half drew to a close Borough gave away a soft penalty which was converted by Sporting Duet but Kayleigh Hobbs was so close to stopping it going in getting a hand to it. Borough kicked off quickly and pushed up the field putting together another attack down the left and then a further one down the right forcing a corner. An over the top clearance from the opposition on the stroke of half time found their striker who ploughed through the middle of our centre backs Emma Connell and Jade Lawson and found the bottom corner of the net. A disappointing end to the first half after a very strong and assertive performance from the Ladies team.

The Ladies belted into the second half after making some tactical changes concentrating attacks down the left-hand side as the opposition has doubled up on the right-winger Gemma Priest to stop attacks getting through to Laura Mott upfront. Katie Braithwaite flew into action linking up brilliantly with centre midfielders Hannah Lovell and Kirsty Mulchaey who played some lovely balls through to Leah Wilkinson on the left. She in turn put some nice balls into the box but did not find a Borough head.

Attacks were coming at the Ladies much more swiftly now from Sporting Duet and a lot of problem balls were played through to the young strikers upfront who were bursting with energy still. Tremendous effort from Emma and Jade at the back kept out so many of these through balls and Rachel Marshall slotted in well at right back to cover making some grisly tackles too. Kayleigh Hobbs was much busier this half making some confident saves and always looking to find one of our players upon clearing the ball to get us moving forward again. A pass-through from the opposition midfield in the 70th minute found the feet of a very enthusiastic left-winger who managed to poke the ball home giving Sporting Duet a 3-1 lead.

The Ladies’ heads were dropping after this but still they tried to get goals back and ploughed on up the field. Legs were tired but a free-kick was forced by their efforts which saw Kirsty Mulcahey’s attempt narrowly saved at the bottom left corner. A through pass to Laura Mott with 10 minutes to go created another chance but a crushing tackle and clash of bodies saw her go down and stay down. Injuries to her left hand, knee and head meant the end of her game and the Ladies continued now with only 10 players. They saw the end of the game through and finished strong with their heads held high knowing the result should have been very different but also not quite fully understanding why it wasnt?

Laura Mott had bruising and swelling to her hand and knee and also concussion but we are pleased to report she is recovering well. The Ladies worked well in training on Tueaday putting in maximum effort and intend to have a more successful result this coming Sunday.

Wandsworth Borough Football Club

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