What a performance and win that is from the first team yesterday! Up against a very well established division 1 side who are pushing for promotion. We knew this was going to be a very tough game and the odds were stacked against us.

However I challenged the team to start better and stronger and to not be okay with a slow start to games that we have been accustomed too in the past.

Goodness me didn’t they show up and then some! We certainly took advantage of having the wind in our favour first half. Our decision making in the final third was much better today! We were finding the through balls well at times, just needed to beat the offside trap!

That we did when Zoe Bache was through on goal after a brilliant Jodie Goodall assist. Zoe finished calmly and gave us the lead! Our second goal came in quick succession when Lauren Hickmott closed down US defence and forced an error at the back for an own goal to give us a 2.0 lead.

The chances kept coming and the pressure kept building and Boro rightfully got their third goal after a Mel Albury assist for Jodie Goodall. A truly dominant first half for the team.

HT Boro 3-0 United Services

We knew the wind would be against us now and US would come at us with all they’ve got, and that they did! We had to really dig deep at times. US were awarded a penalty for handball which we had no complaints with but luckily for us they hit the post. They were awarded another penalty for handball and this one we felt was very harsh, they made no mistake this time and got their goal.

With their backs up US kept pushing on and were pinning us back a lot, they got their second goal from a long range cross shot that the wind helped in which our keeper could do nothing about.

This meant for a very nervy last quarter of the game but Boro dug deep lead by captain fantastic who challenged incredibly as always putting body on the line and preventing more attacks. We then managed to get a break of play and some effective quick link up play lead to a free kick for us. Taken by Hannah Burrows she was able to feed Zoe Bache through who managed to poke it into the back of the net despite US defence best attempts to make a goal line clearance.

The final whistle was a huge sigh of relief but Boro more than deserved the win after their performance today. We wish United services well for remainder of the season.

A special shout out to some players our keeper Shannon stock who made some crucial saves, especially a low hard shot from Chloe Dark which most keepers would struggle to save. Claiming the ball from a corner to ease the pressure of us was beyond vital. Emma Glover stepped into centre mid for us after we lost Alise Holt to injury, but Emma did fantastically breaking up play at crucial times. Lauren Hickmott who stepped up to help us today ran her heart out and her pressure was rewarded with forcing the mistake for the second goal.

Player of the match today was incredibly hard to call and very close. However our captain Charlotte Lindsey who lead by example never once allowing our team to loose their heads and defended superbly. Running out of words and plaudits to describe her performances of late.

Extremely proud of the team today.

FT Boro 4-2 United Services

Goalscorers/Assists
Zoe Bache/ Jodie Goodall
Own Goal
Jodie Goodall/Mel Albury
Zoe Bache/Hannah Burrows

Captains Comments;
With only one sub and an early injury left us with the bare 11, the girls dug deep and battled hard against a very good passing side. On the back of a dominating first half, Borough had to work hard in the second half with United services taking no pressure off us. A fantastic battle between the two teams, who were both passionate throughout. The girls did themselves and each other proud, with the odds stacked against them, we got the result!

Upcoming Fixtures 31/03/24;
First Team (H) vs AFC Varsity
2pm KO
AEI Stadium