MATCH REPORT- 24th OCTOBER 2004
Clapton Orient 3v1 Carshalton Athletic
It was a bright and sunny day in more ways than one at the Peter May stadium in East London as Clapton Orient convincingly did away with what was a skilful and composed opposition. In the changing rooms before the game Helen D warned her team that they were up against a 'strong attacking side, who like to play the ball around'. Of course, such talk were not going to scare the hardened ladies of Clapton, who without an ounce of fear started the game with the usual display of passion and guts that would send any team hurriedly back to the comfort of their cozy dressing room.
The first ten minutes of the game saw Carshalton attempt to open up the Clapton defence. With close man marking from Anita and some excellent well won headers the runs were kept under control. The strength and determination of Sarah in defence, and with the tireless clearances from Mandy at right back, the unit were able to keep the opposition's attackers under wraps. The brave Rachel Kettle in goal managed to use every part of her body to block the Carshalton attackers attempts on goal, some at point blank range. Eventually, one penetrating run from a Carshalton attacker got through the defence and she slotted the ball away.
Clapton did not allow the goal to dampen their spirits and straight after the kick off Jema was able to pounce on a Karen Clark pass and rip through the Carshalton defence. She saw her shot saved but only minutes later she connected with a Krystal pass from the right and coolly rounded the keeper to make it 1-1.
Half time saw Clapton make some changes in formation as Tash moved from left midfield into defence and Lucy was called upon to make her debut up front.
The second half saw a strong and determined Clapton come back full pelt at an obviously tiring Carshalton. The two Helen's and Sabrina in midfield kept the motivation of the Clapton players at a top level as they tirelessly battled for every ball and allowed the attackers to make diagonal runs up and down the pitch. Helen Parr made some important passes down the wing to Jema who seemed to be powered by rocket fuel. Her strong darting runs down the wing proved too much for Carshalton to handle. Equally on the right Krystal was let loose down the wing by some well-timed passes from Sabrina and Tash on the right.
It didn't take long for the hard work to pay off as a Krystal cross was deflected by Lucy into the path of Karen and she released her deadly shot past the Carshalton keeper. 2-1 to Clapton and it wasn't over yet. The ball rarely left the Carshalton half as they were forced back by a persistent Clapton midfield and a tight defensive line. Sarah Kucera only had to make a few of her trademark clearing headers and the only really dangerous point of the game came with a goal mouth scramble that required keeper Kettle to be at her most nimble.
There ensued a few missed chances at the other end with Lucy putting a perfect Krystal cross just wide of the post and Jema hitting the post after rounding the keeper. No matter, these things happen, and Jema had already scored a beauty with her left foot in the first half so we all forgave her.
The final nail in the coffin came with only 15 minutes to go as a headed challenge won by Lucy was knocked onto an in form Karen Clark. Her composure and speed on the ball allowed her to get past the last defender and slot home a winner into the bottom left corner. Game over.
Shero of the match was Rachel kettle in goal, whose poise and prowess between the posts kept Clapton in the game.
A great win means that Clapton move up to 3rd in the table