On a sunny but chilly day Ducklington Ladies headed for Reading in search of another positive result to make it 3 games without defeat.

Having played Winnersh 2 weeks earlier at Ducklington, and coming out on top by 3-0 confidence was high. There was however some reshuffling required within the team, through injury and non availability.

Having won the toss Ducklington played into a stiff breeze in the first half. It was not pretty at times, but the work rate was excellent and the midfield tackled hard and played some quality balls into the front two. Ducklingtons best chance of the half came from a corner where Snowy picked out Deb’s, who’s header hit the bar. Duckling ton’s back four played with a high line, and the The home team could only play the long hopeful ball over the top which either went straight thro’ to Mandy in goal or was swept up by Sam, and cleared. Smarts had to come off after about 30 mins after pulling something in her foot, and was replaced by H.
Half time 0-0

Half time saw a change, with Karen coming off and being replaced at left back by Tinker-bell. A tactical change saw Snowy go up front and H go to right midfield.

With the wind at our backs, The Ducklington midfield started to play with a lot more confidence, and with Slats and Snowy chasing everything, we managed to get the Winnersh back four turn round on many occasions. Two or three corners saw the entire Winnersh team in their own penalty to defend.
After 55mins another ball over the head of the left back saw Snowy race to the bye line and put in a cross which travelled right across the penalty box, to find Claire coming in at the back post to slot home to make it 1-0 Ducklington.

Winnersh then started to realise that they had to resort again to the long ball over the top. This Ducklington continued to deal with, again Mandy being very confident about which to come out for. Another quality through ball saw Snowy in behind the Winnersh defence again on 65mins, and a great low drive beat the keeper low to her left. 2-0 Ducklington.

By this stage the Ducklington midfield had worked so hard that fatigue was starting to set in, that coupled with a very low sun contributed in the Winnersh front line breeching the Ducklington defence for the one and only time. A quality ball down the inside left channel and a very good cross which took Mandy right out of the game gave them a tap in at the back post.
1-2 Ducklington

At this stage Ducklington could have buckled, but the team is made of strong stuff, and with in 5 mins due to Slats chasing another lost cause we won a corner. Snowy put in another great ball, for Nikki to score with a glancing header which went in at the far post. 1-3 Ducklington

In scoring the goal Nikki took a blow to the head, but after a couple of mins on the touchline was able to carry on. Ducklington saw out the rest of the game without anymore dramas.

This makes us unbeaten in three games. We continue to improve every week, and this is due to a lot of hard work by the whole squad. Well done Ladies keep it up.