In very windy conditions the two teams at last managed to play a game on grass in 2014. With the wind slightly more behind them Olympic started the brighter, with Evesham a bit slow on the uptake. However the hosts had the first shot on goal with Katie Armento shooting just wide. Olympic continued to get the ball down better and out of the wind, but Evesham were breaking quickly when they did get possession. From one of these breaks Grace Harker passed through to Armento who powered a shot over the keeper into the net after 10 minutes. For the next 25 minutes the main battle for the players was with the wind rather than each other and the play was very broken.
However Evesham did get a break down the right hand side which Hannah Campbell latched on to and slid under the keeper to increase the hosts lead. 2 more goals then followed in quick succession before half time another for Armento who was on deadly form again and then she turned provider for substitute Immy Wray to stab home with almost her first touch.
After much needed refreshment at half time the battle versus the wind went on with Evesham continuing to press but the visitors made life difficult for Evesham as the half continued. Rosie Johns did however manage to latch on to the ball in midfield and with one of her typical driving runs jinked her way to the edge of the area before shooting over the keeper into the top of the net. More changes were made by both sides but the Evesham defence of Kelly Fowkes, Chloe Thomson, Beth Guy and Jessica Newman was only really troubled when Thomson came off with a wrist injury to be replaced by Nicole Maher.
Armento and Wray were also replaced up front by Paige Williams and Sophie Griffiths and the latter’s speed managed to get her through on goal and nick the ball passed the Olympic keeper who took a knock in the process and was replaced. Shortly after with 80 minutes on the clock, a more serious injury to the visitor’s centre back Jodie Lawrence meant an ambulance needed to be called. After a lengthy break it was agreed by both coaches and the manager that it was best to call a halt to the game at this point.
The game was played in a competitive but equally respectable manner especially considering the conditions. Players on both sides should be commended in their response to the injury to Jodie Lawrence at the end of the game.
Players of the Match were given to Paige McInerney and Rosie Johns the AFC Worcs. Olympic and Evesham Utd. midfielders respectively.
0 Comments