A rather blustery cold winter’s day saw the return of the Ducklington girls after an extended Christmas break. What seems like nothing but endless wet weather in the last few weeks, it seems ages since the girls last league match.

Away to Tower Hill Vixens today, and for those who made the vast journey over to their West Witney ground, all were to witness a change in tactics from the coaches, as they decided to try something different.

Apart from Megan Want in goal all the girls positions were changed, this’ll surely make them think a bit. After the last encounter with the Vixens and a 7-0 win a high scoring tally was expected today.

The start of the game saw Ducklington straight on the attack, piling on the pressure to keep the game in the Tower Hill half. A number of early chances from corners proved fruitless, with only Eleanor Thompson having a half chance.

Tower Hill obviously anticipating a hard attacking game from the ‘Ducks’ pulled back almost every player during attacking play, providing an almost wall like defence. This combined; with a superb goalie was to make things very frustrating for Ducklington.

Then after some 10 Minutes of play a fabulous run down the right wing by Megan Ostle with a well timed pass to ‘Foxy’ in the goal mouth allowed her to fire one into the net. 1-0. Giving the visitors that all important first goal.

The ball seemed hardly out of the Tower Hill half and 20 Minutes into the game Megan Ostle made another sustained run down the wing this time doing it all on her own. The defence was hard, but she found her way through, confidently slamming the ball into the net to raise the score line to 0-2.

The second half saw more of the same from the ‘Ducks’ totally dominating the field. Megan Want in goal could be seen trying to keep her concentration, in a game that rarely needed her input. Surly with all this concentrated attacking play, more and more goals would raise the goal tally. But a curtain amount of good fortune is also needed in a game, and this seemed to be in short supply today.

Five minutes into the half, and a fine run at goal by Katie Mullins saw her deliver a fine shot at goal, this was saved by the fantastic Tower Hill goalie.

Some minutes later saw another attempt at goal by Eleanor Thompson, the ball landing at her feet yards from the goal line, but a bad strike saw it miss the goal, much to her annoyance (More target practise needed Elle, with a smile came the cry from Steve Hill).

The game progressed and after some hard tackling play in the Tower goal mouth the ball lands at Gabby Hill’s feet, with lightning reactions it’s a strike into the back of the net. Goal! 0-3

The new game plan seemed to work well, even in new positions all girls worked it out and played at there best. This was a game of many opportunities, but today with some misfortune and a ‘cracking’ Tower Hill goalie, it was certainly not going to be another 7-0 white wash as before.

Final Score: 0-3

Well done girls.

Player of the match: Milly Foxcroft

Katie Mullis On The Ball

Goal - Millie Foxcroft

Megan Ostle On The Ball

Megan Wants Long ................... Long Kick

Megan Ostle On The Ball

Millie Eaton On The Ball

Katie Mullis On The Ball

Chanel Gets Stuck In

Milly Foxcroft - Player Of The Match