Page 8 - Keynsham Town Ladies V Portishead Town 190323

KEYNSHAM TOWN LADIES 8
Under-18 season update
View from the dugout

We found ourselves sitting in 2nd by two points before our home match against third place
local rivals Stockwood at the AJN on 12th Feb.

We knew, with a game in hand over Stockwood, that a win would almost guarantee a 2nd
place finish and keep us mathematically capable of challenging for the title.

A dominant first half, playing some fantastic football, with the team working tirelessly off the
ball saw us go in to the break 1-0 up, and it could have been more but for some close missed
chances.
We had players off school with viruses in the week leading up to the game, and unable to
train on the Thursday before, and the energy levels slowly declined in the 2nd half. Despite
their best efforts the team could not hold on and Stockwood began to take control and
Stockwood ended the game 2-1 winners.

Our next game on 26th Feb saw us away to unbeaten leaders Melksham.

I had every confidence that the team could be the first to beat Melksham this season .

In the previous match we had given them too much freedom in the 1st half and gone in at
half time 5-0 down, only to win the 2nd half 2-0 and look much the better team, so
confidence was high and with more settled formations the tactics were set and the girls were
ready.

In a dominant first half we snubbed out all Melksham attacks, with just a few half chances
coming their way , and speculative long range efforts. We forced them out wide and away
from goal and they looked confused and unable to really get into their stride.

On the other hand the team played some awesome football, creating many chances and
effortlessly winning the ball and transitioning into attack after attack.

We went in at half time 1-0 up, and it could have been more.

We started the 2nd half well and within 5 mins we were 2-0 up and looking much the better
team. Then on 63mins the wheels fell off !!
We shipped 4 goals in eleven minutes and by 74mins we were 4-2 down. It really was a
complete shock and very hard to watch .

The game finished 4-2, and it was without doubt the hardest loss to take so far .

Our next game saw us welcome Portishead to the AJN Stadium on 5th March .