Wandsworth Borough turned up for the game, feeling positive after recent changes to the team dynamics, we had a point to prove. Disappointing to find out we only had ten for the majority of the game. It was going to be a tough morning. With Andy’s pre-match team talk ringing in our ears, we head out onto the field to start the game.

Tower Hamlets came out in full force, taking advantage of the fact that Borough were slow to start the game. The ground conditions didn’t help matters when one of their strikers took a long-range shot at Chloe and it skidded underneath her. What felt like seconds later, Tower Hamlets were 3-0 up due to some unfortunate luck coming from some unpredictable passages of play. Borough needed to wake up and wake up fast.

Borough began to take control of the game with some nice moves down the wing from Gemma Priest, and Laura Mott and Kirsty Mulcahey being dominant in the centre of midfield. Emma Connell, Rachel Marshall, Sophie Kelly and Hannah Richards holding a very disciplined line at the back, with continuous calls for offside against their very fast attackers.

Borough won a couple of corners which were hard to make count with being a player down, but we held Tower Hamlets at 3-0. It was easy to see that Borough were trying their hardest to turn this game on its head.

The second half began, and with a player short, and a 3-0 deficit, Borough had a choice to make… damage control or ‘just go for it’. We decided to give it all we had and take the game by the scruff of the neck.
Wandsworth Borough needed a goal, and there were a couple of chances for Leah Wilkinson, Gemma Priest and Kayleigh Hobbs but none of them managed to get their names on the score sheet. Tower Hamlets caught us on the break after we lost possession in the middle of the pitch, but luckily for Borough, Emma Connell was there to make a superb clearance off the line after the ball was put passed Chloe Russell who is becoming a regular in goal for us this season.

A cross came in from their left-wing and unfortunately struck Sophie Kelly on the arm. Penalty for Tower Hamlets. All eyes were on Chloe Russell in goal. After a short delay, their penalty taker stepped up but what a superb save from Chloe to keep the game at 3-0!

The ball was quickly taken down the other end, and Borough really started to test their keeper with more shots from Gemma Priest. Finally, a bit of luck came Borough’s way with Laura Mott swinging in a cross which struck the hand of their centre back. Penalty awarded and up stepped Kirsty Mulcahey. She looked confident as ever. The luck didn’t last long as her penalty kick ricochets straight off the centre of the bar, as well as her rebound effort. She wouldn’t have been able to do that again if she tried!!

It wasn’t the result we were looking for, but every single Borough player gave their all until the final whistle. With a full team of players, it would have been our win. We go again next week against Woking Reserves. UP THE BOROUGH!