Shanklin Ladies 1 - 3 Shots Ladies

Emma North

Both teams know each other very well as they have been promoted from the Hampshire Leagues and Southern Region Division 1 to the Southern Region Premier parallel to each other.

The referee was ready to call the game off before kick off, but a 20 minute stoppage of rain allowed the pitch to drain and the game to be played.

Aldershot won the toss and opted to play into the wind for the first half. The game kicks off with the wind playing a part in the match, Aldershot were finding it difficult to get out of their half. In the spells where the wind dropped the Shots played some good football and troubled the Shanklin keeper. The first half was a case of defending well and concentrating to take the weather conditions into consideration.

Aldershot nearly went one down half way through the 1^st half, the referee stop play for a Shanklin injury when Aldershot were in possession of the ball, at the resulting drop ball Aldershot did not contested as the Shanklin players said they would play the ball back to the keeper. To the Shots dismay the Shanklin striker had a shot, Calder was on her toes to dive to her left and tip the ball round the post for a corner. Embarrassed with this and on the referee's word, the Shanklin captain kicked the resulting corner out for a throw in.

Near the end of the half Aldershot gained a free kick on the edge of the Shanklin box. Giberson stepped up and struck the ball into the goal keepers left hand top corner. This would have been a good lead to take into the second half. Coles lost her concentration and gave away a sloppy free kick on the edge of the Shots box. The shot from the free kick hit the underside of the cross bar and went into the back of the Shots net. Half time 1 – 1.

The second half was a different story. With a change of kit and the wind behind them the Shots started to control the game and play the better football. Just after the interval the Shots won a corner, from the resulting kick North strike the Shots ahead with a volley from 6 yards. Now Aldershot had their tails up and used the wind to their advantage, with passing football not just long ball football. From a good passing move, working the ball from one side of the pitch to the other, Giberson scored her second goal from 18 yards to put the game out of site.

he referee sent of Funnell for foul language which he thought was directed at him, but this did not worry the Shots and they kept there heads to take all three points away from home.

For more information visit the Aldershot Town Ladies website at www.aldershotladies.co.uk .

The ladies Team are sponsored by Clipperz Barber Shop, Aldershot.

The Squad: Hayley Calder, Kath Giberson, Hana Grover, Tara Coles, Di Smith, Emma North (Captain), Jo Donoghue (Stacey Ireland 55), Penny Hull, Lou Lloyd (Laura Wallman 65), Laura Funnell & Laura Hann.

Next game: Sunday 29^th October 2006 FA Cup 1^st Round Proper (a) v Chichester City United @ Chichester.