The first game at 11 a side ended with a result that flattered the opposition.  Despite the shock of going 1-0 down to a hotly disputed early goal, the girls rallied and more than held their own until half-time.  Several chances fell to either side during the first half but none really on target or bothering the goal keepers.  The best chance came to Bardwell but Rubyanne Ryan pushed the close range shot onto the post.  Both Eleanor Day and Abi Lanning came close for Benson, just pulling their shots wide of the goal.

The second half started with both sides settling quickly and early exchanges favouring Bardwell.  After 5 minutes, Bardwell struck again for their second.  Benson still looked for a goal to get back into the game but it remained elusive with the attacking play falling down in front of goal.  With 15 minutes of the game left Bardwell scored two in quick succession and a tiring Benson side were beaten.  Bardwell got another couple towards the end for a result that really flattered the home side.

This is a big step up for the team and we are very pleased with the way they coped and the first win is not far away.

Player of the Match: Rubyanne Ryan

The sun broke through the early morning mist and damp to shine on a very entertaining match at Benson.  Bloxham kicked off and immediately took the game to Benson.  The techniques worked upon in training immediately brought fruition with the defence tracking and holding firm in dealing with the early pressure.  The game settled into a pattern of both sides attacking strongly but failing to find the extra push for the reward of a goal.  Bloxham did find the net mid-way through the half only for it to be ruled offside.  Some good attacking wing play resulted in a flurry of corners for Benson but they were unable to convert these to a goal.  Benson shaded the half and despite not scoring felt buoyant after a good first half performance.

The second half kicked off and after Benson gave the ball away they suddenly became alerted to the real danger as Bloxham came very close to scoring.  Two successive attacks and Bloxham got closer to scoring as the Benson defence lost all its shape, completely undoing the fine performance of the first half.  A ball though the middle and Ffion Ribbons was away, easily placing the ball passed an advancing Rubyanne Ryan, into the net.  Moments later, Benson still not alert to the danger and a similar Bloxham move almost doubled the score line.  The respite was short lived as Bloxham did convert the next chance as Becky Atkins scored again for Bloxham.  Shapeless and disorganised Benson woke up and put things right but despite putting some neat attacking moves together and forcing some corners they were unable to get a goal that might have got them back in to the game.  The best chance fell to Luci Sokolowski as she took the ball round two defenders and the goal keeper, only for a fine tackle from a recovering defender to put her off as she lined up to slot the ball home.

Player of the Match: Annalize Brooks

Benson kicked off the 1st half of a very competitive game of 10 a side.  Benson was only able to field 10 players and Tower Hill offered to play with 10 themselves: a very sporting gesture and one that was appreciated by Benson.  The first 10 minutes saw Tower Hill have much possession and a few chances that were either saved by Rubyanne Ryan in the Benson goal or shots were pulled wide of the target.  A defensive lapse and the through ball was pounced on by an alert Amber Colwell who sent the ball wide of the goalie.  A second followed a few minutes later with the Benson defence again caught and some good work enabled Charly Hamilton to double the advantage.  After reorganising the defence, Benson ventured forward which resulted in a fierce shot from Luci Sokolowski that the Tower goalie couldn’t hold.  The resultant corner was easily dealt with.  A third for Tower followed before the break with Charly Hamilton netting her second.

Tower got the second half under way and immediately spurned 2 good chances.  A let off for Benson and they raised their game.  Some excellent tackling back and persistence from Danni Merry got her away with the ball.  A look up and a fine defence splitting pass put Ashleigh Rogers through.  She took the ball towards goal and cleverly lobbed the advancing goalie to score Benson’s first of the season.  Buoyed by this, Benson was in the game.  A couple of half chances but no reward and a fourth for Tower from Bethany Calcutt-Snow put an end to the fight back.  Benson still pushed but did not get any further reward and as they tired Tower netted two more goals to run out comfortable winners.

Player of match: Rubyanne Ryan

Scorers:

Benson:
Ashleigh Rogers (1)

Tower Hill:
Amber Colwell (2)
Charly Hamilton (3)
Bethany Calcutt-Snow (1)