Ducklington Girls 2007-8

Ducklington U11 Girls - Match Report

23rd February 2008

Chinnor	0 - 5	Ducklington

Match Report - Kev Thompson

It is just as well that there are a small number of rest bite Saturdays in the league schedule this season.

With all the bad weather at the start of the year, this has given sometime to catch up on those inevitable postponed matches. This being one of them.

A 10 am kick off meant a reasonable start from the Ducklington home ground. Well at least for most of us that is. Sorry Steve, you social animal. As the convoy of Ducklington supporters arrived in Chinnor there was some confusion as to the location of the Chinnor football ground. I know that I was fairly happy with the right place, well almost, after a phone call and a bit of driving around. Last visit, we were ‘Sat-Naved’ by Mrs Eaton to the right ground. At least this time though we’d all managed to get to Chinnor avoiding the East Oxfordshire scenic route and the Thame fair.

Once all had been head counted into the Chinnor ground car park by Mr Eaton, it was a short walk down to the geographical wonder that is the Chinnor home pitch. What is it with these away pitches, sometimes the slope is from one end to the other, sometimes it’s from side to side, but this one is truly amazing, as does both! Thankfully, both teams will have a go at scaling the slope against the wind to the goal.

As the whistle blow to start the game it was Ducklington with the down hill advantage, and the wind in there sails, as the midfield players led by Tasia Horne and Eleanor Thompson raced down the pitch. Katie Mullis shot ahead to goal.A great pass by Eleanor to Katie, saw the ball into the back of the net, and all within a minute of play. 0-1

A shocked Chinnor, tried to regroup but the Ducklington confidence was high as Katie took another strike at goal, this time just over the bar. Ducklington seemed well in charge now, with play hardly out of the home sides half.

A Ducklington corner saw the ball fired into the box off Kate’s boot. Some great positioning gave Megan Ostle a chance at goal. A powerful shot slotted the ball into the net to raise the tally. 0-2

As much as the home side tried to gain some momentum, all attacks into the Ducklington half were well dealt with by the defence skills of Millie Eaton and Megan Ostle. The down hill run was certainly working in the visitors favour, with some great passing, leading to a barrage of goal attempts by Gabby Hill and Tasia Horne. Both Gabby’s shots being saved by a sharp Chinnor goalie. Tasia’s was a near miss.

It wasn’t long before there were only a few minutes left on the clock as we saw a fantastic run by Katie, dodging and weaving passed the home sides defence giving her a superb shot at goal. There was no chance to save this one, and the ‘Ducks’ were 3 nil up as the half time whistle blow.

The start of the second half, saw the home side with the down hill and wind advantages. Chinnor really determined to use this to gain a bit more control over the game saw their forwards move in and try and get some chances at goal. But, although successful more than once to break through the ‘Duck’ defence they were unable to get one passed Megan Want in goal.

Although stronger to start, it was not long before Ducklington were back in charge. Some great passing up the field to goal saw Eleanor with a chance at goal, but this was saved. It was however the ‘Duck’ strikers that seemed very much in charge towards the end of the game.

Further chances at goal fell to Megan Ostle, Gabby Hill and Katie, but it was Katie who capitalised, wining yet another two shots at goal. The first deflected off a Chinnor player who was trying to clear the ball. This resulted in an own goal.
0-4

But the second was another stunning goal. This raised the visitors tally to 5.

Towards the end of the game all players could be seen getting tired as the fight against the wind and slope started to take its toll. It was a very tired, but never the less a very jubilant Ducklington side that finished the game.

Well done girls! A very fast and entertaining game.

Final score 0-5

Player of the Match – Tasia Horne. (For outstanding midfield play)