Ladies1s score 3 but fail to win against visitors Alford

This week off the back of their win against the university, Nomads Ladies 1st XI were expecting a tougher challenge from sea side team Alford&District 1.
The match started a few minutes late after the team in pink from Skegness were delayed in traffic. Nomads knew this was to their advantaged to seize on having had a good warmup lead by Kate Westgate. With the support of team coach Paul Mathews on the side-line the girls started strong, the home side taking their chance and taking an early lead. The goal was well worked from the back with Ellie Martin passing to Flip Toley in the D who was able to slip the ball left, to leave forward Bethan Davis just the goal keeper to beat. The half continued with end to end action and chances on goals for both sides. There was excellent work and stead fast commitment by the Nomads defence of Lois May, Lou Patten, Zoe Andrews and Rachel Gooch. Unfortunately, the visitors found their form, finding their way through to their 2 strong forwards who were able to score 4 unanswered goals. Nomads at times demonstrated superb passing across pitch and their 2nd goal just before half time was a text book example of this. The ball accurately passed forward by winger Laura Parker to junior Maddie Withington. Maddie drove forward, passing the ball across to Flip just had to deflect the ball to put her name on the team sheet.

Despite the 4-2 score line at half time the Nomads side rallied by their coach Paul felt they were very much still in the game. As the 2nd half started chances at both ends continued. A foot on the line by a home defender caused a penalty stroke to be awarded to Alford, bur forced wide they were unable to extend their lead. Disappointedly a scrappy 5th goal from Alford did find its target and looked to seal the win for the visitors. Not to be deterred Nomads knew that it takes under a minute to score a goal and they continued to drive forward, rewarded for their pressure with a short corner. The short corner, pushed out by Kate, stopped by Rachel and struck by Flip in to the bottom left corner took home sides goal total to 3. As the time ticked on chances still came from both sides with Nomads goalie and Captain Jenny Corish forced to deflect one shot over the crossbar. In the closing seconds of the game Alford were awarded a last short corner for a foot in the D. Determined not to concede a final goal, a diving save from defender Lou did enough to force the ball out of play and for the final whistle to sound.

Despite the 5-3 score line the game was fast, frantic and much more even than this would indicate. Nomads showed great determination in pushing forward in attack as well as strength in defence. The team made up of players new and old, young and not so young played showed great promise for the season ahead, playing together for only their 2nd game. The man of the match went to defender Lois May for her excellent work and commitment on the field.

Next week the girls travel away to Wisbech.