2/12/18, Bromley FC, Championship

Goals – Haywood, West, Hanssen.

In Villa’s 13th game of this campaign and the 10th game of the league it saw us venture to a new team and a new town to visit. First time I would be seeing Crystal Palace and the venue was nice as you entered from the bar and down towards the pitch. The staff on the door was pleasant as they greeted and welcome fans into the ground. After London Bees we were hoping to come and take the 3 points away from home. After a terrible journey once again that saw us travel 10 miles in an hour near Earls Court that meant we missed a Prematch drink with Nat and Tim. Amber was busy at work as we entered the bar towards the ground, the team was annouced and as expected their was no changes to the team that faced London Bees. 

The game kicked off and as always Villa came out the blocks fast on the front foot with an attack that saw Sophie Haywood from a corner. Some great work on the wing saw Jodie Hutton and Nadine Hanssen that saw the ball fizz across the box but the keeper came out and claimed the ball. On the 12th minute a free kick was lofted into the box and Sophie Haywood chested the ball into the net just like Super Mario back in the day she powered up and gave Villa the lead 0-1 which was deserved from the start we had made to the game. A goal Sophie had deserved and no doubt will be the first of many. It was all Villa as the pressure kept building as Nadine Hanssen worked hard to win the ball back as she pressured till she won the ball back and just like fifa a beautiful piece of play between Jodie Hutton and Sophie Haywood, saw Jodie Hutton unleash a shot that was blocked by the Palace defense. On the 26th minute Crystal Palace created their first proper chance as the hit Villa on the counter attack as Sian Rogers does what she always does and glides across the goal like Superman to save the ball keeping Villa with the 0-1 lead. On the 33rd minute the ball fell almost in slo motion as Nadine Hanssen took aim and fired it on the volley as it looped over the Palace keeper into the net giving us a 0-2 need and the second goal we’d failed to get In the games before that ultimately cost us come end of the game, but Nadine’s glorious effort had given us the cushion to keep the pressure on Crystal Palace. Less than 3 minutes laters Amy West does what Amy West does best as she scored an absolute beauty that would of had Alan Hutton on his feet, as she took aim from 25 yards as it went over the keeper and went in off the inside of the post, some say it’s still rattling now which caused pandemonium as the Amy West chants and she doesn’t score normal goals chants off, proving why West Is The Best. Villa now 0-3 up had some breathing room and was playing with confidence as our defending was solid and firm. Unfortunately though we couldn’t see out the first half as Crystal Palace pulled one back with literally the last kick of the half as a well struck shot gave Sian Rogers no chance in the Villa goal. At 1-3 to Villa the half time whistle went, a well deserved lead for a team that had played really well all over the pitch from defence to attack, hopefully it would be same second half and we could leave Bromley with the 3 points.

Villa were starting second half with freedom and swag as some beautiful play got us forward but Crystal Palace were defending well with Jordan Butler and Anneka Nuttall standing out for them at the back. Amy West put through a beautiful ball to Sophie Haywood (who building such a great understanding of each other has to be said) and Nuttall pulled off a cracking tackle to stop Sophie Haywood who landed on her shoulder but thankfully was ok. Crystal Palace were having a spell on the ball as we seemed to drop a little with the effort we’d put in but once again our defenders Hollie Gibson, Jade Richards, Elisha N’Dow and Asmita Ale with Sian Rogers behind them were dealing with Palaces advances as Nadine Hanssen got clattered in our box and Sian Rogers dived on her fumble she took a knock both our players needed the physio as it showed our teams determination and effort. At this time the Palace fans disappointed me in some classless chanting but proud to say the 4 of plus Nat and our new friend out sung them and kept them quiet with Sophie Haywood giving them a bit of sass with well we scored goals more than you (instant legend) We we’re struggling a little to get forward and out our own half to take pressure off Jodie Hutton seemed our biggest outlet as she caused their wing back troubles with her pace and strength but just couldn’t find the target. We did add a fourth goal as Sophie Haywood headed the ball into the net but it did look offside but close as we had 3 players free and ready to head the cross in, but the score stayed at 1-3. After what seemed like Tanisha Smith had warmed up for the entire half with a yes-no-yes-no it was finally T time on 81st minute as she replaced Kerri Welsh who as always had worked so hard to help the team, strikers may feel if they don’t score they haven’t done their job but Kerri does so much more for us and do hope she realises that as we sing we love you Kezza we do. Tanisha wasted no moment and time as she was straight into everyone’s faces and hustled and bustled and it seemed no longer was we in our own half as we countered and few times looked through but couldn’t quite find the correct ball through. Tanisha Smith had 9 mins plus whatever injury time but made a huge impact in those minutes like we know she could and why we so happy to see her on the pitch. We had one more chance that Asmita Ale created with Jodie Hutton just putting to much power on her shot. But the final whistle blew and we had the 3 points we deserved and worked so hard for. 

Another game where we had worked so hard and played so well but thankfully got the goals we had threatened before in the past games but couldn’t get into the back of the net. Soon as we scored the second one I didn’t really worry to much as at the back we were solid and Sian dealt with anything that came through or over our back 4. It’s all a building season for us as our team changed so much including our management team and even though I was a little critical of the London Bees game truly believe this is how we can play on a weekly basis and we will get the results we deserve and move up the table. From our begining to the season we could of fell apart and had a really tough season but you can see on the pitch how they have bonded and got behind each other. Alot of this has to be credited to the staff behind the scenes (we don’t see but we can tell) Gemma Davies, Carly Davis, Coza Mitchell, Martyn West, Ned, Amber, Greg and everyone else who work so hard without the credit they do deserve. This also extends to the parents as well who always make us so welcome before and after the games which makes it feel like a special place to be. Obviously the Players always take alot of the credit as well as I feel as a club we have come so far compared to other seasons, I’ve said in the past we’ve had to play catch up with other teams around us and I believe we have done that 10 fold this season. In the past I would be looking at what other games was on to whether I would miss a Villa game and now I only look at other games if Villa are not playing. I’m very happy to say I’ve still got a 100% record with seeing the games this season as Bristol City Women away on Wednesday will be my 14th competitive game this season (18th with preseason) and each and every game you can see improvement and more unity. The great thing about this game was we had three different scorers as well, last season we heavily depended on Ebony Salmon getting us a goal, but this season everybody is stepping up and adding us an attacking threat from Strikers to Midfielders to Defenders as well. We have 3 more games before the Christmas break as we play Bristol City Women away on Wednesday 5th in the Conti Cup with a 7pm kick off, this will be a great chance to put ourselves up against a team in the higher division once again. We have Sheffield United at Boldmere on Sunday 9th with a 3pm kick off in the league as we hope to get a result against them as we have played them twice already this season. And we end our year welcoming Manchester City to Boldmere on Thursday 13th in an exhibition game really in the Conti Cup but it will be great experience for our Ladies in the Claret and Blue. Each and every week I can say that I truly am proud of our team and this only gets more and more as the season goes on.

I do want to make a note about Crystal Palace as well, a new team to the league but they were fantastic really, apart from a few people that don’t deserve a mention in the crowd the staff and players were brilliant. Dean Davenport wished us well before the game on twitter which is a nice touch and shows class. Ciara Watling lead the team well and they never gave up on the pitch, Jordan Butler showed her class as well as she had the hard job of trying to deal with Jodie Hutton throughout the game. Obviously when you leave with a win it’s a better day but It was one of favourite away days this season, It was great to see up in the bar how much time they had for everyone as well even after a loss, showed a touch of class.

The final thing I wanted to make a note of was we had a Mother and two girls next to us at the game who were Aston Villa fans but lived in London area and had travelled down to see our women’s team. We don’t really get the chance to speak to many new people but they wanted to know all about the team and how things are going. They joined in with the songs thanks to Benny’s song sheet and after the game it was lovely to see our girls taking time with them as I bet next time we will be in London this family will come along if possible again. Sian Rogers handed her gloves to the young girl who was absolute buzzing with this, we asked the girl if she wanted them signed but no one had a pen but again this is where I go to the point of wanting to also talk about the staff as well as the team because Martyn West went out of his way to help to find a marker and tell Sian, who came over to take a picture and sign the gloves for the young girl. This shows alot of class and why we are so proud and happy we have Sian at our club as part of our wonderful team and Claret and Blue family.

Sian Rogers – Didn’t have alot to do in the game but when she was called upon, Sian does what Sian does best and pulled off a couple of cracking saves but commanded her box and area well.

Asmita Ale – Have to say every minute Asmita is on the pitch you can guarantee she is reading the game before it happens and getting into position to stop the opposite attackers.

Jade Richards – As always Jade was winning headers at the back and up in attack as well, but works so hard at the back as our leader to stop the Palace attackers creating anything.

Elisha N’Dow – My player of the match, when Palace looked most threatening Elisha was always there to stop them with a last ditch tackle or standing them up and controlling their movement.

Hollie Gibson – No secret that I think Hollie is fabulous, always working hard at the back turning defence into attack, her set pieces always are great and head towards us creating a chance in the opposition box.

Jodie Hutton – Never fails to leave a defender quaking and worrying when she on the ball, unlucky not to get a goal as always as she used her pace and strength to cause trouble throughout.

Amy West – West Is The Best, not even a catchphrase, Amy works so hard in the middle of the pitch and doesn’t score normal goals the second game she has cracked the inside of the post thankfully this one went in the goal causing pandemonium.

Alice Hassall – Worked hard in middle of the pitch to break up Crystal Palace having time on the ball, hustle and bustle was on show as Alice didn’t mind sticking a toe in to winning us the ball back.

Sophie Haywood – Got her first goal and nearly her second goal for Villa Ladies, I believe it will be the first of many as Sophie grows and grows in our team, her work effort is incredible for the entire game.

Nadine Hanssen – I believe it was Nadine’s best game in the Claret and Blue so far, not only because she scored a goal but she worked so hard on and off the ball for the team.

Kerri Welsh – Kerri works incredibly hard as our lone striker, gives everything on the pitch for the team, Alot of our attacks would start with Kerri holding the ball up and setting off our wingers.

Tanisha Smith – T time, she may only get 10 minutes at the moment but the difference she makes in those 10 minutes leaves a lasting impression, works so hard to win the ball and get Villa forward trying to add a goal for the team.

Player Of The Match

Elisha N’Dow

As always after every game Elisha is always in the reckoning for the conversation for Player Of The Match and as our defence improves game after game its nice to be able to have the choices of our defenders. It was a shoot out between Elisha and Jade for Player of the match as i feel at the back they were solid and kept Crystal Palace at bay whenever they tried to create something. One thing that was really impressive was Elisha read the game so well and never rushed anything but always seemed in control at the back even when under pressure.