AAfter a 5 minute ‘oogle’ at Mark’s new two and a half litre V6 MG speed machine (sorry girls, it’s a man thing)

The Saturday away day football convoy was of to Summertown, Oxford, for this our first encounter with the Summertown Stars. Usually it’s just the kids that get the exercise at Saturday football, but this week there was something for the adults as well, as the car park left us all with a bit of a trek to the pitch. Still we were all in for a treat as the Summertown pitch was by far the best the girls had ever played on.

Our only thought as we arrived was that, with only 20 minutes or so till kick off and with no visible signs of any goals in place it was going to be all hands to the pumps! My God it is too, as members of the Summertown coaching staff flopped out two sets of blow up goals from bags and started to pump away! A very sceptical look at each other by all Ducklington coaches, was quickly followed by some ‘well, I’ve got to have a look at this’ comments from all as they went to check them out, myself included. I must admit though, all were impressed, as they were well solid once inflated. More especially, once told that the goals had FA approval.

With both goals in place a 10.15 whistle saw the start of the game. A rather lethargic start by Ducklington saw them a bit slow to pass the ball around to each other. But with little in the way of attacking play by Summertown it was not long before Ducklington had play well up in the Summertown half. Some early chances from Gabby and Chanel failed to hit the target. But within minutes Chanel was back with another chance, but a miss timed strike at ball left her very disappointed at what should have been an easy goal (hard luck) Summertown seemed to be playing a very defensive game, which they did with much skill, and to the frustration of the Ducklington strikers.

It wasn’t long though before the Ducklington girls got the measure of the home side. Both ‘Foxy’ and Katie working well up front gave ‘Foxy’ two shots and Katie one at goal, but all failed to find the target. It was however in the later stages of the first half that a great tackle in midfield gave Katie a chance to make a great run up the left wing; almost unchallenged she powered one into the back of the net. 0-1

With half time in sight and Summertown now well entrenched in their there own half a chance at goal fell to Eleanor, but this time it was off target. Shortly after and in tackling play Katie took a ball to the face and had to be substituted, but with the half time whistle she would surely have time to recover in the break. The second half saw the home side on to the pitch with a bit more determination and some half chances at goal, but it was not long before Ducklington were back in charge. A lovely pass from Katie to Chanel gave her another chance to strike at goal, but it was just over the bar. It was not for the want of trying but Chanel was having a very frustrating day. Some minutes later and yet another pass from Katie to Chanel, this time however she chipped it to Eleanor who is right in front of goal, she slams it home to raise the score to 0-2.

Summertown seemed to have very little left in the tank now and Ducklington seem to have total control over the game. With lots of opportunities at goal it’s not long before the ever goal hungry Katie is back and within minutes of each other strikes home two to raise the score to 0-4 Over on the left wing Megan Ostle could be seen working tirelessly to find a way through to goal, but just like Chanel all was proving fruitless today.

The Summertown goalie worked hard to fight back against the Ducklington barrage but with even Millie Eaton up from the Ducklington defence to have a shot at goal, she was powerless to stop all shots from finding the mark.

With only minutes of the game left it fell to ‘Foxy’ to drive the final ball home. A fantastic goal to finish the game off at 0-5 What a change from last week when the Ducklington girls had to pull back and do all the defending.

A great game to watch, on what is a fantastic pitch. Well done girls!

Final Score: 0-5

Player of the match: Gaby Hill (Strong Midfield Play)

Milly "Foxy" Fires Home

Megan Ostle Clears Up The Defence

Katie Mullis On The Ball
(Photo By Ed Mullis)

Gabby Hill
(Photo By Ed Mullis)

Gabby Hill
(Photo By Ed Mullis)

Unlucky Chanel ...... So Close
(Photo By Ed Mullis)

Eleanor Thompson
(Photo By Ed Mullis)

Tasia Horne Fires One At Goal
(Photo By Ed Mullis)

Another Great Solo Run From Star Player Katie
(Photo By Ed Mullis)

Well Done Gabriella Jennifer Hilly-Billy