Mel Muses
New Brighton 1 Western 0
Yes, you read that right…. New Brighton 1 v Western 0. We won, we won, we won!
The New Brighton ladies stepped up and gave arch rivals Western a match that they will not forget in a hurry. New Brighton led the charge with the first attack on goal within the first five minutes of play - unlucky to hit the cross bar. Western never really got it together enough to put the New Brighton defence under any pressure until about 30 minutes into the first half. New Brighton dominated possession, setting up attack, after attack, with Renata Latimer finally finding the back of the net for New Brighton. Table leaders Western were in shock, but they were clearly being outclassed - that was with all of the nasty tackles and unsporting behaviour! Captain Kaite Rattray had to leave the field in the first half after being chopped by a sloppy Western defender. Down - but not out - she made it back onto the pitch in the second half. At half time we were in the lead by one.
Lisa Henshaw gave a very consistent effort in the halves and Mimi Walle was again on fire with some beautiful crosses and attacking play. Defenders Lynn Rodgers, Lynn Duggan, Charelle Moody and Erin Morgan put in a stellar effort in the defence, managing to keep the Western strikers at bay. Western really only managed to create two decent chances for themselves, with one shot placed wide and missing the goal altogether, and the second being stopped by the Brighton Keeper (me!). Alice Foote, again put in a great effort of the left wing with some great runs. Kristie Martin put in a solid performance with some great passing in the first half, and plenty of support for us in the second half from the bench. Gaynor Dyet also put in a good performance in the halves.
We were actually unlucky not to win by more - the chances were certainly created.
Suffice to say the New Brighton ladies were on form, we played the better game and it showed in the final result, and I must say it felt good to beat Western! We are still behind Western in the tables (by 7 points), but are in with a chance to take the league. Watch this space, it could be the greatest come back yet!