Belles united against Haunchwood

The Belles entertained Haunchwood on a lovely sunny morning for football. Ava S was unavailable and Evie was still out with an injury.

There was a welcome start for Eliza as she joined Scarlet and Elcie in the Belles attack. The Belles started well with lots of space in midfield for Caitlin and Oliwia to get forward. The opposition Goalkeeper made a good save from an attempt by Oliwia but the Belles took the lead. A lovely thorough ball saw Elcie get In front of the goalkeeper as she spun and slammed the ball home via the post. Not long after Elcie struck just wide then the goalkeeper bravely saved at Eliza's feet after a surging run and cross from Darcy.

At the other end, Lols brilliantly timed block stopped an attempt then Esme rushed off her line to clear. A couple more chances followed for the Belles but the inspired goalkeeper made sure the game remained 1-0 at halftime. We shuffled the defence as Lola C went to left back and Ava L moved to the center. We spoke about remaining calm in front of goal but also encouraged more of the positive play in the final third.

Early in the second half, Darcy anticipated the ball and as she pressed she drove forward and found herself one on one with the goalkeeper. She finished low into the corner for a well deserved goal for her commanding performances in defence recently.

It was looking like the Belles were going to extend the lead further, but a long range shot from the opposition bounced awkwardly in front of the diving Esme as they got a goal back.

That said the Belles started to move up the gears, Amie collected the ball on the left and thumped a shot against the post. Then Iris, arrived at the far post but somehow the goalkeeper claimed the ball. A lovely pass from Iris saw Eliza's shot saved by the goalkeeper, then Scarlet stabbed the ball agonisingly wide.

However the Belles regained that two goal cushion with a goal of real quality. Ava H crossed to Elcie who helped the ball onto Scarlet. She showed brilliant technique to switch the ball onto her left foot and rifle the ball home.

As the game started to open up even more, the Belles were making some fantastically timed runs and getting onto through balls. Monica's effort was saved by the goalkeeper, but some excellent link up play between Oliwia and Elcie, saw Eliza played through as she finished beyond the goalkeeper. An amazing moment for Eliza to get her first goal of the season and put the difficult injury issue fully behind her now!

Oliwia was continuing to shine in midfield, showing her class on the ball as she struck a shot just wide. Zoe then positioned herself well as she read the opposition counter to intercept the ball and clear.

The Belles won a corner which dropped to Lola C, but her goal bound shot was somehow blocked. Then another corner was cleared but Scarlet collected and her cross was fumbled by the goalkeeper as Caitlin prodded home.

Player of the Match - Oliwia

The full time whistle went as the Belles displayed some excellent football. We have been working hard on making forward runs in the final third and we were delighted with how that was during the game. We looked very dangerous as we broke into the forward areas. The Belles are now unbeaten in four games now, winning the last 3. Player of the match went to Oliwia. She was phenomenal all game, showing great skill on the ball, driving forward and always looking to create things in attack!

Well done Oliwia and well done Belles!