U15s Diamonds vs Haslingden Ladies & Girls (A) - 29th Jan 2023

Match Report

Haslingden Girls & Ladies (0) v Milnrow Diamonds (11)

The girls travelled the relatively short distance on Sunday for an away BBDFL league fixture v Haslingden Girls and Ladies.  This was their first fixture since 4thDecember last year and despite the lengthy lay off, the girls impressed in an 11-0 victory.

It didn’t take the Diamonds long to get into their stride, pressing high up the pitch from kick off, and inside the first minute, Lois pressured the Haslingden keeper into a mistake from a back pass and her clearance could only find Holly, who tucked the ball away for 1-0.

A through ball from Libby on the four-minute mark found Cienna’s run, but Cienna dragged the shot just wide of the keeper’s right-hand post.

It wasn’t long though before the Diamonds got a second.  Holly’s throw-in to Lois, whose lofted ball was controlled on the chest by Libby, who then finished with a fantastic half volley (2-0).

After eleven minutes, a Libby header from a Holly corner narrowly missed and shortly afterwards, a fine shot by Sadie from the edge of the box was deflected for a corner.

Haslingden’s keeper was in great form, saving from Ella and then a long-range Holly effort.  Another Holly shot hit the bar before bang on the thirty-minute mark, Ella made it 3-0 - after some superb passing and movement involving all the forward players.

Lois made it 4-0 a minute later, when another back pass to the Haslingden keeper saw her clearance fall to Lois for an easy tap in.  It really was unfortunate for the keeper, who had a great game throughout, but it’s a testament to the Diamonds that their pressing (not just up front, but all over the pitch from all the girls) does not give the opposition any time on the ball.

Half Time: 4-0

The girls went in at half time 4-0 up and but for Haslingden’s keeper and snatching and rushing shots, the score line could have been greater.  This was something coaches Mike & Jonty were keen to address and told the girls to relax and not rush the opportunities…that came in the second half.

Three minutes into the half, a strong Holly run down the left, saw her power into the box but her shot hit the post and from the rebound, Ella’s shot was again well saved by the keeper.

A ten-minute lull seemed to come across the game and Haslingden enjoyed some good possession, but any threat of scoring was soon acted upon by the impressive rotating defence of Poppy, Megan, Keeva Sadie, Liv and Ava, and anything that evaded them, Ellie was alive to everything – acting like a sweeper.

The Diamonds kept their patience though and on fifteen minutes, Ella made it 5-0 with a composed finish.  A minute later, she completed her first Diamond’s hat-trick, firing past the keepers left for 6-0.

Ten minutes later the floodgates opened and after some good work by Keeva, she fed Liv, whose assist found Libby inside the box.  Some fantastic footwork in the box saw her make enough space to finish for 7-0.

Two minutes later, Holly’s through ball found Lois who again finished composedly for 8-0.

On twenty-eight, Liv and Lois’ combination play found Libby to finish for 9-0 and another Libby hat-trick.  At thirty-three minutes, Holly picked the ball up and ran at a tiring Haslingden defence, before finishing and with five minutes to go, Holly completed her hat-trick with another strong run and finish.

Full Time: 11-0

A strong performance from all the girls considering the lengthy lay off.  Megan and Poppy again marshalled the defence with great support.  Mia once more dominated and dictated the play from the centre of midfield, whilst the fab four of Holly, Cienna, Libby, and Lois were again impressive up front.  Liv had a strong game wherever she played, and Sadie put in her best performance for the Diamonds this season.

Girl of the game this week though went to Ella, whose work rate was superb, linking up well with players around her and taking the half-time team talk on board – composing herself for a brilliant hat-trick.  Well done Ella and all the girls.

More good news for the Diamonds this week when we were informed our influential midfielder Lexie is ready to step up her rehabilitation from a leg fracture.  The girls look forward to welcoming Lexie back soon.

Goal Scorers

Holly Forder-Brown: 3

Libby Newton: 3

Ella Cavanagh: 3

Lois Lennon: 2

Next game: Sunday 5th February v AFC Bolton at Kingsway 10:30am kick-off