MATCH REPORT-19TH SEPTEMBER 2004
Brentford WFC v Clapton Orient WFC

Played:
Rachel-GK,
Jen B-LB, Katy-CD,Sarah-CD, Mandy-RB,
Helen P-LM, Latasha-CM, Sabrina-CM, Krystal-RM
Jema-ST, Karen-ST,
Sub: Charlotte

The COWs christened their brand new blue away strip with a fine 3-1 victory on a windy day at Brentford. Clapton started nervously, and Brentford took advantage with some strong shooting from outside the area. The COWs soon gained their shape, with Sabrina and Latasha on her full debut taking control of the central midfield. Brentford's best chances came from two free kicks on the edge of the box, both of which were savagely delivered but saved firmly by Rachel Kettle. Some nice counter attacking football increasingly gave Clapton opportunities, with strong running from Krystal down the right and from Jema and Karen upfront. Five minutes from half time Helen Parr gave COWs the lead, picking up a headed ball from Karen in the penalty area and toe poking it into the far corner.

Clapton held firm until half time, thanks to some heroic heading from Katy and Sarah and stalwart defending from Jen Byrne and Mandy Mason. In the second half, Clapton's dominance began to show and the COWs controlled the game, narrowly missing several chances. Jema increased the lead with powerful shot from the edge of the area.

Brentford had several other opportunities from free kicks, and pulled a goal back late into the game following an excellent through ball from their central midfield. Clapton responded with a surging run from Sabrina, who, after picking up the ball from debutante substitute Charlotte Kirk, went round the keeper and fired the ball into an open net. It had virtually crossed the line by the time a Brentford defender clouted it firmly into the top corner.
Player of the match: Krystal.

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MATCH REPORT - SUN 19TH AUGUST
CEFI reserves v COW reserves

Played:
Gel-GK
Niki M-LB, Anya-CD, Bucky-CD, Nicky Maggs-RB
Sandra-LM, Mooch-CM, Jo W-CM, Harriet-RM
Estelle-ST, Clare-ST,
Sub: Libby

So we travelled South of the river to the lovely Dulwich (Mandy Mason had warned us to take our passports...). Unfortunately no referee allocated so one of the CEFI team had volunteered to be ref. We're still trying out people in different positions as we have got a slightly different team from last season, and as a result I think that in the first 20 mins we were a little unsettled. Also not quite enough talking on the pitch for my liking!

Anyway not too long into the first half CEFI got a random ridiculous penalty and once the ref had rather dubiously paced out the penalty spot and had a word with the extremely docile Gel the CEFI player stepped up to take it and HIT THE POST!! Our team were ready to boot it out quick as a flash. Unfortunately CEFI did manage to score from normal play.

Our passing got stronger throughout the first half. Although for some reason our kicks out of our own penalty area weren't as strong as they could have been (my weetabix CLEARLY weren't working ...) I am very pleased with the way that Estelle and Clare are teaming up together and this resulted in a fabulous goal from Clare. Hurrah! 1-1.

Sadly we lost Sandra who suffered a twinge in her knee following an energetic lunge to clear the ball. CEFI also managed to score another goal against us (I'm trying to block out the goals themselves so not much detail on it but I think that their nippy no.10 might have been to blame...) HALFTIME 2-1

What can I say - another couple of goals from CEFI (who had quietened down quite a bit from the first half) but we also managed to score a nippy little goal from Harriet who had run into the box and was in the right place at the right time. Libby was battling away on the left midfield and linking well with Mooch. The two of them, Clare and Estelle were causing CEFI a few problems. Libby then scored a lovely looping goal. 4-3. Nicky Maggs was doing a magnificent job of covering on the many occasions that a striker went past me. She just doesn't give up!!

CEFI had won quite a few corners in the second half but our marking was pretty damn good. My excellent vice-captain Jo was also doing a great job in the central midfield role. Anya/Heidi was getting nicely stuck in and clearing the ball well, Niki (chopper) was also clearing stuff well on the left and linking well with Libby. Anyhoo - they scored a pretty good goal from outside the box in the top right corner. They also scored a goal which was not disallowed despite a bit of shoving in the box. Ahem.

So final score 6-3. Man of the match was Libby. We played well and we're getting better all the time - our enthusiasm and effort is immense.

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