Match Report: Welwyn Garden City 0 - 0 Rushden & Diamonds Ladies
Sunday 30th September 2007 at
Match Report:
(South East Combination)
Diamonds visited Welwyn Garden City in the hope of ending the home side's unbeaten run, but they were unable to break down a defence which had only conceded 4 goals so far this season. Both sides were probably content to settle for a point in a goalless draw that keeps the two sides at the top of the League table.
Assistant manager Tony Blake took charge, and made just one change from the side which beat
With the referee delayed in traffic following a motorway accident, Diamonds eventually kicked off some 45 minutes late. Both sides started cautiously and were careful not to give away any chances. Possession was even but Diamonds had the first real chance of the game on 9 minutes. Following a foul on Mikaela Welford, Stephanie Thompson's free-kick found Kelly Robinson unmarked in the area, but her free header failed to test Verity Crook in the Welwyn goal.
Welwyn were unable to trouble Diamonds back four, although a poor back pass from Robinson nearly caught out Nicola Raith in the Diamonds goal. Diamonds continued to have better possession and on 21 minutes, Fay Howell was just unable to make proper contact with Charly Wright's left wing cross in front of goal.
As the half progressed, Welwyn conceded a number of free-kicks but Diamonds were unable to take advantage. Howell tried to lob the Verity Crook on one occasion but the keeper was alert and saved easily. Diamonds felt uneasy playing the 4-4-2 formation and reverted back to their more familiar 3-5-2 with Kirsty Cooper moving forward. Both defences remained solid and chances were few and far between. On 40 minutes, Rosie Thurston sent in a free-kick over the last defender, but hesitation by Welford allowed Crook to grab the loose ball.
Several minutes were added at the end of the first half after Welwyn's Ella Baker had picked an injury, and both sides had efforts on goal. Anna McLeod's shot from a Rosie Thurston free kick was saved well, while after a defensive error, Frankie Locock shot wide for Welwyn. Locock had another effort well saved by Nicola Raith at the near post.
Half time:
Diamonds started the second half strongly, but were still unable to put the home keeper under any pressure and Crook had little problem dealing with some weak shots on target. When Aileen Whelan did manage a powerful shot, it went just wide of goal.
Nicola Raith did well to cut out a cross from Welwyn's Sinead Kerr on 59 minutes, and Frankie Locock had a shot blocked, but Welwyn were still posing little danger. Welford shot wide after dispossessing Debbie Styles as Diamonds tried to pressure the home side into mistakes. Diamonds thought they had taken the lead on 67 minutes when Stephanie Thompson sent Welford away on the right. Crook narrowed the angle and half blocked Welford's shot but the ball trickled towards to goal-line. Fay Howell was waiting in the centre and slotted the ball home, but was adjudged to have been in an offside position by the assistant referee.
Welwyn made two substitutions midway through the half with Faye Rees and Nikki Day coming on for Frankie Locock and Sophie Bailly, and the fresh legs seemed to help the home side gain composure and press forward. Diamonds brought on Molly Marsh in an attacking role replacing Welford on 78 minutes. Both defences remained solid though and shots from Diamonds' Charly Wright and Welwyn's Ella Baker went wide.
With ten minutes remaining, Welwyn had their best spell as they tried to put some pressure on the Diamonds goal. A corner from Nikki Day found Laveena Betts at the far post, but Raith was positioned well to save the header. Substitute Steph Boucher also shot wide but in the final minutes, but both sides were happy to settle for the point.
Full time:
With Lewes not playing, both teams move one point above the
Teams:
Welwyn Garden City: Verity Crook, Vicky Neal, Debbie Styles, Sheree Oliver (c), Shelley Forster, Sophie Bailly (Nikki Day 69), Frankie Locock (Faye Rees 72), Laveena Betts, Sinead Kerr (Steph Boucher 80), Naomi Lyon, Ella Baker.
Subs not used: Sarah Quantrill, Laura Shearwood.
Rushden & Diamonds Ladies: Nicola Raith, Amy O'Brien, Kelly Robinson, Rosie Thurston (c), Anna McLeod (Laura Dunn 89), Kirsty Cooper, Fay Howell, Charly Wright, Stephanie Thompson, Aileen Whelan, Mikaela Welford (Molly Marsh 78).
Subs not used: Leanna Doyle, Katie Loydall.
By Dave Mason
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Other results (SE Combination):
Whitehawk 1
Forthcoming fixtures:
7th October Whitehawk (Home)
14th October no fixture
21st
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Reserve Team fixture:
Midland Combination Reserves
Rushden & Diamonds P - P
