The penultimate game of the season for the Borough ladies was a Friendly with Actonians Development enabled the team to try out some changes before facing Tooting on Sunday 24th April 2022. With a few injuries across the team, it therefore meant some players having to play in unfamiliar positions such as our trusty goalkeeper Hannah Smith trading places for an outfield position due to a broken finger and Captain and defence regular Rachel Marshall taking a place between the sticks (even if she is the shortest on the pitch!)

The game started quite evenly with both teams playing some good football and creating chances. Borough’s defence was strong picking up any loose balls and the midfield worked hard to help get the ball through to our top two of Hannah Smith and our top goal scorer Becky Michaelson who was eager to get more goals under her belt!

20 minutes in Actonians looked like they were about to score but a fingertip save from Rachel Marshall was just enough to get the ball around the post and out for a corner. The corner led to the first goal of the game for Actonians Borough, just unable to clear the lines quickly enough. Borough was eager to fight back and quite quickly too! Borough kicked off a few passes that were stringed together which led to Lisa Manley making a well weighted pass through to Becky Michaelson who finished calmly bringing it back to 1-1.

The second half started, and Borough still tried to make and take chances even straight from kick-off! Kirsty Mulchaey saw the keeper off her line and tried to dink it over her from the half-way line. A great effort which looked like it was going but unfortunately just over the crossbar. Borough continued to try and string some passes together and attack, however, Actonians were able to break through our defence and slotted home their second of the game.

Borough continued to keep fighting, remaining positive and creating chances. The back line continued to be strong battling hard whilst the midfield and the attackers continued to create chances with the Actonians goalkeeper making some important saves.

At the other end, however, Actonians were able to break through and a shot which bounced awkwardly off the post set up the Actonians striker perfectly allowing them to bring the score up to 3-1 with 5 minutes to go.

Although the game did not go the way the Ladies had planned and hope the effort from the ladies and the positivity throughout the season has enabled us to have a successful season as a team but also as individuals. One last game to go for this season and under the management of our passionate manager David Newland and assistant Emma Connell who will be greatly missed, the Ladies are looking to finish on a high!