Aston Villa 0-4 Doncaster

21/2/18, The Lamb, FAWSL 2

After Sunday’s great preformance against Sunderland we welcomed Doncaster to The Lamb on a Wednesday night (seemed so strange to be at a night game might of been first one at The Lamb). Suprised that the formation and line up changed after Sunday’s game with Ellen Martin and Amy Goddard finding themselves on the bench after great preformances against Sunderland, with Alice Hassall and Jodie Hutton replacing them. After a couple of minutes a ball hit aimlessly across the field saw Doncaster get on the attack but couldn’t direct it on target after nearly the worst start possible. A freekick was awarded on the 13th minute and from the free kick Doncaster took the lead from Roberts (another goal from another set peice) as the ball found it’s way through the box. Nearly Wonder West made it 1-1 as her header went just over the bar from a corner (the game of corners). The Doncaster keeper looked very nervous with many balls spooning off her boot or miss kicking but we just didn’t put the pressure on enough to make the panic. Hayley Crackle was having a fantastic half putting herself into every tackle and getting Villa forward, she nearly brought us level as her effort was saved by the Doncaster keeper. Villa were growing into the game nicely as the half went on and we looked as if we had a good chance to get something from the game. Just before half time Jade Richards nearly pulled Villa level as the Dincaster keeper managed to just about keep the ball out the net. The half time whistle went and we was very much in the game as a whole but we needed to make an effort count and stay tight at the back. Doncaster obviously did their homework on us and knew Ebony Salmon was a threat as they were doubling up on her at all times with no one to help or make them think twice.

Villa came out on top the second half as Ebony Salmon managed to get around the defender and strike the ball goalwards but only for the Doncaster keeper to stick out a leg and keep the ball out the net once again. Alot of pressure and the game was down in the Doncaster half for the start of the second half with Amy West and Elizabeta Ejupi working hard to get ball forward and stop Doncaster building anything, with corner after corner and near misses it was still 0-1 to Doncaster as we knocked on the door but couldn’t blow it down. Ashlee Brown came on after 68 minutes (would of liked this change at half time) after Jodie Hutton took a nasty impact and needed to come off (hopefully she is ok and was just winded). Almost criminal how the second goal came around a foul was made and the linesman flagged but we didn’t play to the whistle as we stopped Doncaster won through and made it 0-2 with all the time and space in the world as Rayner hit it home. This goal seemed to take alot of the wind out of Villa’s sails as we seemed to crumble defensivly, Ashlee Brown did incredible clearing the ball off the line to keep the score down. A defensive pinball type move saw us not be able to clear the ball with Doncaster adding a third goal as Sigsworth placed it home making it 0-3 to Doncaster and the tie being over really with 13 minutes to go. Ashlee Brown pushed for Villa trying to get us forward and on the attack running endlessly up the wing, late on Ebony Salmon broke through and shot but it went stragiht to the keepers arms. Doncaster hit us on the counter as Hanson went past our girls at the back with ease as we couldn’t catch her as she took it past Sian Rogers who tried to stop her effort and slide it home to make it 0-4 Doncaster. 80 minutes in and fan favorite and big part of our past glory came on as Beth Merrick came on (less than 15 minutes in two games when we are losing hmm) as Aoife Hurley was taken off for her. As the Sunderland game Beth tried to get Villa going the right way putting herself about but once again the game had gone and was barley anytime at all. The game came to a close with Villa losing 0-4 to Doncaster, a game where we had almost gifted them the win but going forward had them pinned down for long periods of the half but couldn’t make it count. 

Villa now don’t play a game until the 11th March, when we take on Durham at The Lamb where hopefully we can turn things around. We will welcome back Abi Cottam which is always a joy from her time she spent with us before. The Development game against Liverpool has once again been changed to a later date so unfortnatly no game next Wednesday. It was great to see an old Villa player at the game last night in Nicole Dale who will see play for WBA on Sunday at our new home for next season Boldmere. I don’t think we lost to the better team but the more clinical team as they took their chances and our’s didn’t go in. But even in a fustrating game where I know we could do better still support and adore the team and we will support them win, lose or draw because we are Claret and Blue and Villa Ladies are Supreme. Maybe the jount of Sunday’s game where they emptied the tank against Sunderland also effected our girls on the night having two big games in a few days. Also have to say thank you to Tim and Amber for wanting to make a fuss that it was my Birthday a few days before nice to be appricated and was very appricated.

Player Of The Match

Amy West

Her work rate is incredible on and off the ball, I would love to see her wear something that tracks just how much ground she covers during a game. She never fails to be involved in everything that comes through the middle of the pitch. Was unlucky not to get a goal today on another day her header could of gone into the net and brought us 1-1. A huge part of our team and the good things that do come in games.