RN Ladies 5 – Torpoint Ladies 0
With the Pompey Fun Bus full and in great spirits the squad had their first fixture in the West Country for a few seasons. A few squad members returned from sea which gave the management team more options, particularly in attack.
The RN team started full of energy pressurising the opposition immediately. A new starting position on the right wing for AB(WS) Lisa Fraser was working well from the outset with her linking well with LOGS(CH) Helen Kingscott at right back and LPT Nat Bavister in Midfield. The team settled quickly and were dominating possession, passing the ball around utilising all players.
A great attack started in the heart of defence with POPT Lisa Farthing and AB(WS) Nat “Pat Butcher” Collier through the centre to Bavister who delivered the ball out wide to Lisa Fraser. She got the better of her marker and put a great ball into the box for Bex Waller to head home, only for it to be disallowed.
The RN had the bit between their teeth now and forced a number of corners. Some great deliveries by AB(SEA) Jenny Dick came to nothing as the Torpoint defence did their job.
The deadlock was finally broken on 43 minutes with Bex Waller taking a great strike that the keeper could not keep out.
43 mins RN Ladies 1 Torpoint Ladies 0
L(CIS) Bex Waller
HALF TIME RN LADIES 1 TORPOINT LADIES 0
One change was at half time with Lisa Farthing coming off for a straight swap for RPO Mitch Garrett in the heart of defence.
Constant pressure immediately after half time saw the RN team camped in Torpoint’s half. A short corner taken quickly from the left turned into a scramble in the penalty area. The ball landed at Collier’s feet and taking a touch on the turn put the ball in the back of the net leaving the keeper stranded.
55 mins RN Ladies 2 Torpoint Ladies 0
AB(WS) Nat “Pat Butcher” Collier
Still the RN dominated and a good pass and move throughout the team saw LPT Lucy Mckenna deliver the ball into the box from the right hand side for Bex waller to finish in style off her knee – not unlike Peter Crouch! They all count!
75 mins RN Ladies 3 – Torpoint Ladies 0
L(CIS) Bex Waller
McKenna got her reward for her constant support play on the wing. A great ball from Dick allowed her to take a shot from just inside the 18 yard box and past the keeper.
77 mins RN Ladies 4 – Torpoint Ladies 0
LPT Lucy Mckenna
Waller finished off a great individual performance with the final goal of the night giving her a hat trick and the team a 5-0 win.
82 mins RN Ladies 5 – Torpoint Ladies 0
L(CIS) Bex Waller
An excellent result for the RN and just what they needed after the last few matches. The whole team performed well and it was pleasing to see a great strike partnership develop in Waller and Cole. The former getting her first hat trick in a RN Shirt. The defence were solid throughout the match and the midfield linked well allowing the RN to dominate possession. Fraser, starting in an unfamiliar position on the right of midfield, looked like she had been playing there for years.
The RN are starting to find their form and competition for places is fierce with all players willing to play in any position on the pitch if it means that they get to wear the RN shirt with pride!
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all my readers!!