Match Report: Rawmarsh St Josephs U13s vs Penistone Church Ladies Blacks U13s

Penistone Church Ladies Blacks were back in action this week as we travelled over to Rotherham to face our hosts Rawmarsh St Josephs. Both teams had been in inconsistent form of late, but it was nice to get back on a grass pitch and, for the first time in what felt like months, play without the rain. Hopefully spring has finally sprung.

The game started slowly as both teams tried to get the measure of each other. Rawmarsh had plenty of the ball early on but never really troubled Harriet in the Church goal.

Church began to up the ante and after a few half chances the breakthrough came after 10 minutes. Jess played a perfectly weighted ball through the Rawmarsh defence for top scorer Evie, who used her pace and power to finish well with a low, powerful left-footed strike past the keeper.

Church almost doubled their lead ten minutes later when Leah flashed a dangerous corner across the face of goal, but Alanah just couldn’t get enough on it to steer it home.

Going into the half-time break, Church were good value for their lead with both sides creating little else of note.

The second half started more brightly for Church as both Alice and Evie continued to cause problems on the break with their pace up front. A smart save from the Rawmarsh keeper led to a corner which Leah delivered into the box. Libby did well to find Liv Pond, who turned and hit a first-time strike low past the keeper’s right to double the advantage on 56 minutes.

The goal stunned Rawmarsh into a response and they went close moments later as their striker found herself clean through with only Harriet to beat, but her effort crashed back off the crossbar.

With both sides defending well, chances were few and far between until yet another corner led to a scramble in the Rawmarsh box. Evie reacted quickest, taking a touch before rifling the ball into the far corner to make it 3–0. That goal took our centre forward to an impressive 15 goals in 15 appearances this season.

With only four minutes left, Church’s clean sheet did not look in danger until a late scramble in the box saw Harriet pull off two excellent close-range saves, but Rawmarsh eventually managed to bundle the ball into the net.Overall it was a great defensive performance and a clinical display up front, with Church well worth the three points on the road.

Parents’ Girl of the Game

Liv H – Tenacious at right back all game and matched Rawmarsh’s quick winger for pace. She is really improving week on week.

Managers/Coaches’ Girl of the Game

Joint winners this week

Liv Pond – Came on and put in a huge shift, pressing the opposition and taking her goal brilliantly.

Leah – Her delivery from set pieces caused problems all game and her ability to put her foot on the ball and calm the game really helped see us through.

#UpTheChurch