by Douglas Higginbottom » Sun Mar 22, 2015 10:56 pm
Watched the first real game this season against Doncaster Belles in the FA Cup. Not a great performance but a win in the end.
Looked dodgy for a while as Doncaster scored early from a corner ( familiar!). We looked the better team and broke free down the right and left constantly in the first 25 minutes but showed no composure with the cross/pass and squandered the lot. Plus our corners came to nowt ( familiar!)
It was really an early season rusty performance with quite a few big names missing. Steph Houghton has an injury and might only just get fit for the World Cup coming soon. Lucy Bronze, new from Liverpool, is nearly back from injury and Toni Duggan was only on the bench as she comes back from injury. Also Natasha Harding ( new forward) wasn't around.
At times the standard dipped back to older days as the quality of touch,passing, especially short passes, was poor. Plus our defending just seemed very nervous.But 2 goals from Niki Parrish ( new from Everton) effectively won the game and then Toni Duggan added a 3rd to round it off.
Had this been against one of the better prem sides we would have lost but when we get the full team out they will play much better and be much better to watch.In addition to names already mentioned there have been other additions to the squad as they look to develop the team and try to get become a force in the English game.
Sarah Wiltshire played wide left. A small girl who seems quick but lacks plenty imo and might just end up a squad player. Jennie Beattie who is not a small girl! Bloody big in fact and played center back today although we might well see her anchoring the midfield as her bast position. Didn't look a great defender to me on this one showing.Demi Stokes at left back looks good and has major attribute that she is very quick.Like a female Terry Phelan.