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At last! After a difficult season Clough finally
secured their first win of the campaign. Having lost 7 players pre-season
it’s been a tough time but the girls have always played with a smile on
their faces and given their all.
The game started brightly for Clough and fine build up play saw Lauren
Slater come close a couple of times. Toni Mallin rattled the post and was a
constant threat to Horsforth with her endless running. A goal seemed
inevitable and it came half way through the half. Good solid goalkeeping
from the ever dependent Jenny Senior saw Clough counter and good passing saw
the ball land at the feet of substitute Megan Barrett who kept her cool to
slot home for her first goal for the club. Well done Meggs! Clough continued
to play the football and were causing the visitors problems. The defence had
to keep alert and the back 3 of Vicky Hargreaves, Jessica Burrows and Laura
Costello hardly put a foot wrong all game. The second half started well and
it wasn’t long until Clough doubled their advantage as the ever reliable
Jessica scored a screamer from the half way line that nestled in the top of
the net. Toni hit the bar and Mary, who had a fine second half, came close
on a few occasions. Horsforth then scored against the run of play causing a
few nervous minutes but a fine solo effort from Toni wrapped up a memorable
win. Great effort from all the girls. The running of Vicky, Laura, Mary and
Toni was a joy to watch and the toughness and spirit of Lauren caused their
defenders trouble all game. Well done to all the girls, enjoy the winning
feeling and keep working hard.
Player of the game Laura Costello
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Saturday 23 Feb. Shield Qtr Final - Churwell 6 Clough 3
If ever there was an unjust and flattering score line in a game of football
then this is it.
It was a pleasure to watch the girls play with such passion and enthusiasm
but we didn't get the luck. Clough took an early lead from a wonderfully hit
free kick and led 1-0 for most of the first half. Good composure, shape,
movement and passing saw Clough have a the lions share of possession, but it
was the Churwell Lions who equalised after a rare defensive lapse by Clough.
Soon after, Jenny Senior pulled off a stunning one on one save against the
Churwell superstar player - definitely one of the bravest and best saves
I've seen at this level of football.
Clough then stuttered for a five minute spell but half time came with the
scores level. Churwell applied the pressure during the opening spell of the
2nd half and took a 2-1 lead. Clough hit back immediately when Toni Mallin
scored a wonderful solo goal worthy of a cup final rather than a qtr final.
Clough didn't then learn Churwell's lesson and the Lions took a swift 3-2
lead. Clough pressed with Mary Tynan causing problems for the defence with
her skill and pace in an unusual striker position. Good positional play and
tough defending from Laura Costello, Vicky Hargreaves and Lauren Slater kept
Churwell at bay until a lapse in concentration allowed Churwell to take a
4-2 lead. Heads never went down and Clough scrambled back to 4-3 with Toni
again hitting the target. Sub appearances from Clarissa and Megan showed the
depth the squad is picking up as they certainly proved their worth on the
pitch. A change of formation for the last 10 minutes didn't bring a change
of luck, a well hit free kick just sailed wide and that would have brought
it back to 4-4. Unfortunately it wasn't to be as the Lions scored 2 more in
the last 2 minutes to secure a flattering 6-3 victory.
Congratulations and good luck to Churwell. A massive well done to our girls
and the Churwell manager insisted on talking to all our girls after to
express his delight on how well they'd done and how surprised he and his
team are at the progress we've made as a team. In my opinion, the difference
between the sides is their one superstar player who hits a football as well
as a grown man can and she has the skills to boot too.
That's football though and we must take the positives from this and pick up
some league wins, and I'm sure we will.
A massive pat on the back to all the girls, keep it up and you'll see the
rewards soon enough. Player of the game Toni Mallin PS - Get well soon
Jessica. We look forward to seeing you back on the pitch when you're mended!
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Scissett 1 Clough 1
Well done to the girls as they secured their first point of the season, I
told you it was just round the corner. What should have been a happier
occasion was sullied by an obscure refereeing decision by the home sides
ref. A clear goal for Clough was chalked off as the Ref decided to ask their
keeper whether or not it had crossed the line - she said it hadn't, our
perfectly placed linesman and manager said it had. Who says we don't need
goal line technology! What we mustn't do is dwell on it but use it as a spur
to drive us forward. Putting the kafuffle to one side, Clough were the
dominant side and were unlucky to go in at half time 0-0. An early second
half goal from Scissett put us on the back foot for a while but the heads
didn't go down and that's always pleasing to see. It was great to welcome
Jess back after her injury problems and she'll be a great asset in the end
of season run-in. Meggs and Ellie shared the right back slot very well and
Vicky was as dependable as ever on the left. Helena put in a player of the
game performance with her tireless running back and forth and caused
Scissett countless problems. Mary sparkled in patches and continues to grown
in stature (if not in inches!). Lauren had a fine game and deserved her goal
after showing the rest of the team how to get fired up and tackle hard.
Another positive is that we had 3 regular first team girls missing this
weekend and that can only be good going forward. The manager's going to have
some tough selection headaches for next weekend!
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Sunday 6
April
Burley 6
Clough 2
A
definite game of two halves.
A poor first 20 minutes saw Clough fall to a 6-0 deficit with some poor
defending, some good attacking and some bad luck. The most pleasing
aspect though was the way we didn’t let our heads go down and we kept on
trying to play football and pass it around.
I was delighted with the 2nd
half and a 2-0 2nd half victory was well deserved. Great
work by Lauren and tidy finishing brought her a couple of deserved
goals.
Sunday 13
April Wrenthorpe
1 Clough 3
We’ve
finally done it!
First league win of the season and a deserved one at
that. A tight tense first half saw Clough with the
lions share of the attacks but Wrenthorpe
looked dangerous in attack and we needed to be alert. Half time came
with the game scoreless. Within 20 minutes of the 2nd half
Clough had taken a firm grip on the game and stormed into a 3-0 lead. A
wonderful far post volley from Laura from Toni’s corner gave the girls
the lead. The running of Toni & Helena and the sharpness of Lauren were
causing endless problems for our hosts and 2 more
smart finished put us in a comfortable position.
Wrenthorpe pulled one back and we had a
couple of hairy late moments but held on well. Thanks to Graham from
Wrenthorpe for his kind words of support
afterwards. A great opportunity to finish the
season strongly. Player of the game, Laura Costello
Sunday 20
April
Clough 4
1
Only one
word to describe the performance today – outstanding.
From first whistle to last we never relented
and stayed in their faces all game. Again, the running and skill of
Helena and Toni was too hot to handle and chances were constantly being
carved out. Halfway through the first half we saw what I thought was
going to be our goal of the season. Great work on the left by Helena
and Lauren saw the ball squared to Toni who, with her back to goal, laid
the ball off to Jess who slammed the ball into the top corner from 15
yards out – brilliant. Great communication, great
goal. The girls were well in control at the back. Jenny’s
handling was solid, Laura was her usual combative self, Vicky didn’t put
a foot wrong and Jess lead from the front with strong tackles and good
distribution. The 2nd half was pretty much one way traffic
with wave after wave of Cough attacks but while it was 1-0 we didn’t
feel too safe. All this changed when Mary picked up the ball at left
full-back and went on a run. In and out, out and in – pace, close
control and a cool finish gave us a 2-0 lead and I’m pretty sure that
was our goal of the season – superb stuff, virtually full length of the
pitch. Mary gave us a 3-0 lead with another coolly taken goal before Scissett hit back. Virtually straight from
the kick-off, Helena restored our 3 goal cushion with a good piece of
skill and a solid finish. I was pleased that I was able to give all the
girls a game today and nobody let me down. Clarissa worked hard up
front and looked sharp. Ellie becomes better with every minute she
spends on the pitch and Mary was super-sub! I now have a squad of 11
girls who are all good enough to play in the first team and this can
only be good for our future. Well done girls, O told you your hard work
would pay off. Keep working hard and keep playing football
Player of
the game – Mary Tynan
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Tuesday
22 April
Clough 4 Wortley 1
Our great
end of season form continued with a good 4-1 win over Wortley. A slow start saw Clough fall 1-0
down but although things didn’t work out for most of the first half we
managed to go in with a 2-1 lead mainly thanks to Toni and her quality
touch and cool finishing. The 2nd half was a lot brighter
and it was soon 4-1. Another great solo goal from Mary followed by a
smashing strike from Heleena made the game
safe. Solid performances from all the players right the way through
from Jenny in goal (safe handling and excellent kicking) to Lauren up
front. Well done to everybody, we’re all very proud about what you’ve
achieved over the last couple of months
Player of
the game – Mary, a little livewire.
Dangerous with the ball and plays with a smile on her face
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