The Ladies 3’s continue to be the bright light in the P&R ladies section with another great win over Aylesbury 3’s.  Fiona Rankin got on the scoresheet first but despite masses of pressure hers was the only goal separating the 2 teams at half time.  P&R should have “scored a hat-ful” (Sue Iles words not mine!) but were unable to convert the changes to goals.  The 2nd half was better with Barbie getting the 2nd and 3rd with no reply from Aylesbury. 

The Ladies 2’s were unable to improve upon last weekend’s draw and went down 3-0 to a pacy Reading 3A’s side. The 2’s defended well for the first 20 minutes but conceded just before half time, and then again 10 minutes into the second half. They had their chances though and there was some much improved play despite lots of changes to the team again this week.  Reading got their 3rd literally on the final whistle of the game and the finishing scoreline flattered them.

The 1’s took on Maidenhead and despite a 4-0 loss performed the best they have as a team all season. Both Flying in goal and captain Polar both were quick to praise the side that worked really hard to stay close to a Maidenhead team who are well above them in the league table.  Maidenhead took 25 minutes to get their first goal from a short and got their 2nd just before half time.  P&R also had a  short or two in the first half but couldn’t convert them, and for once had  some excellent “killer balls” into the D.

P&R suffered twice more from Maidenhead’s short corner routine in the 2nd half (something to work on in training Ladies!) and like the 2’s the final scoreline flatters the opposition without telling the full story of the game.

Cup Action

Phoenix Ladies were also in Cup Action on Sunday, pitched against Oxsted who are currently top of Prem 1 in the Surrey league.  A ‘makeshift’ team consisting of Flying, Bridget, Polar, Dixie, Jax Batten, Carol, Ashton, Maddie Cottam, Saucy, Rooney and Jackie Cobner travelled the 80 miles round the M25 with Polar’s words of “lets just treat it like a training game girls” revolving around their heads.

Remarkably the lack of pressure for the game made some players have stand out performances they have been lacking so far this season - Polar had a stormer at centre back, Flying was outstanding in goal, and Rooney worked herself ragged up front!! Oh and the midfield were fantastic too :-)  At half time Oxsted were only 2 nil up and I think quite surprised at the effort they were having to put in to stay in front.  In the second half their fitness showed and they had some fresh legs ready to substitute whilst P&R had to settle for the same 11 who had already played 70 minutes the day before! The Final score was 7-0 but everyone who helped out by making themselves available had a great day and played a good game despite the high quality opposition. 

Now if only we could all apply the same level of enjoyment and team spirit in our league matches…………

Good Luck to all this coming weekend.

Jax Batten