Wanderers v Flixton

A sun drenched Nuttall Park was the venue. The last game of the season and the stage was set. Flixton were our opponents and a win would mean we jointly won the league.
In the absence of Beth (PGL), Izzy took the Captains armband in her last game of the season before her retirement!!

Flixton are a well organized and skilful team and previous encounters with them have always been close. Todays match was a cracker.

Frankie stood in as goalie and gave a stunning performance. Great goal kicks, brilliant saves and an inspired presence of mind when under pressure. She doesn’t like being in net but her 100% ‘for the team’ attitude didn’t show this.

Ele made run after run up the left wing and was unlucky not to score with a shot from a tight angle.

Izzy fought and battled for every ball with the kind of passion we have grown to love and expect from her.

You could feel the tension as the game stayed at stalemate. Eventually we got our reward. Megan fought to get the ball through to Izzy who ran and crossed for Super Jen to blast the ball home from close range. 1 – 0. The crowd went barmy.
Frankie’s mum started singing ‘Its all gone quiet over there’ to the Flixton fans. Well, I think she did…..

At half time our girls didn’t need any motivating. They were buzzing.
The second half began with great pressure from Flixton.
Amy and Beck’s was amazing, making tackle after tackle, defending like true professionals. This was one of Amy’s best games and she just gets better and better.
Beck’s displayed tenacious courage and battled for every ball.

Twice we counter attacked with Super Jen and Izzy both coming close. Jen gave every last ounce of energy probing the Flixton defence with skill and speed.
The game swung from one half to the other. Great game for the neutral. Nightmare for Dave and I and our parents. Izzys dad made sure everyone in Bury knew about our game!
Leah and Megan both rose to the occasion with superb performances. Leah showed fantastic skill to turn three opponents and send a pin point pass thought to Jen for yet another attack.

Megan battled, fought, ran and tackled.

Ten minutes to go. Just as we could almost taste victory…..The cruel blow Flixton floated a sublime corner into the box which was met by a brilliant header.
1 – 1. It was really a wonderful goal.

Our girls had ten minutes to find a winner and boy did they try. Izzy exploded. Super Jen ran herself to exhaustion. Ele skimmed the top of the Flixton goal. We tried to bribe the ref for extra time but Scott is far too professional. The whistle went.
A 1 – 1 draw was a fair result in what was one of the best games I have seen all season but for me today there was only one winner – our Wanderers..

They gave everything we could have asked for. Jen got the opposition player award for yet another top draw performance. I gave ours to Becks who epitomized the team spirit and attitude displayed by every player.

Dave and I have been proud to look after you this season. I hope you have all enjoyed it as much as we have. Be proud of yourselves. We are proud of you.
Izzy has been with us for three seasons now and will be very much missed. I hope you have good memories. Seaside Tournament 2005. Parents Player of the Season 2006. Most Improved Player of the Season 2005.

Well done girls. Seaside Tournament 12th May. Bring it on!!!