Watford 0-3 Aston Villa
Watford 0-3 Aston Villa
Kings Langley FC, 25/3/18, 3pm, WSL 2
Hassall, Hutton, Merrick
A trip away to a new ground and a new place was on the cards for this Sunday. Having moved from Berkhamsted to Kings Langley we went off to this away game with high hopes or breaking the run we was on and leaving with all 3 points. Having beaten them 4-0 at home, we would be hoping for a similar outcome on the day. We found the ground and got in and took our place as the teams were read out. A new Goalkeeper in Aja Aguirre was annouced and a different kind of line up with Phoebe Warner coming in to the team and Beth Merrick leading the line up front.
The game started and straight away Phoebe Warner stamped her mark on the game with a shot after a couple of minutes that was saved by the Watford keeper, this also was a great way to lay down the plans for the rest of the game and make an early statement. Villa were on the attack through the first 10 minutes relentlessly with Hayley Crackle working hard as vice versa was Jodie Hutton spreading the play and hitting the wings. This pressure was surely going to lead to something and great play by Amy West fighting for the ball while the defender tried to sheild it out saw her get around the defender and pull the ball back to which landed to Alice Hassall who drove the ball home for her second goal in two games (also claiming to be chasing Ebony as top scorer now) It was what Villa deserved as they had most the play and possesion throughout the opening of the game. Villa carried on the dominance as it seemed all the attacks were going our way but just couldn’t find the second goal. Amy West came close as her header was just about tipped on the top of the bar (definatly a goal coming soon for Amy can feel it, really deserves one as well) The balls over the top were causing Watford trouble as Merrick, Hutton and Crackle pushed them onto the back foot but it just wouldn’t fall right as the pitch bobbled and was quite uneven. The half time whistle went without our keeper really even having a touch in the goal and us coming close on a few occasions to double our lead. Hopefully we could keep it up for the second 45 minutes and leave with the win and 3 points. Throughout the first half Phoebe Warner was EVERYWHERE, tackling EVERYONE a great first half to almost show why we need her in the team on a more permanent basis. Aiofe Hurley once again deserves alot of credit but she works so hard but what she does on the pitch is so effortless it sometimes goes unnoticed on reports and updates. But we notice it on the sidelines once again everything and anything that came her way she dealt with and used it to set Villa off on the front foot.
I normally don’t have anything to say on the half time break but this time, Amber set up a crossbar challenge for the 4 Sub’s in Elizabeta Ejupi, Bethan Jewitt, Tash Baptiste and Ashlee Brown. Amber started recording and up stepped Ashlee “Deadshot” Brown who set the ball down and seconds later *PING* of course she hit the bar she is Ashlee Brown.. Scenes with them all celebrating spoilt Amber’s plans to have them all take one in a contiunous video for Instagram. It seemed none of the other girls wanted to follow Ashlee’s effort as they carried on warming up for the second half incase they was called upon. I also have to say it was SOOO good to see Elizabeta Ejupi back warming up after what happened at the Durham game. From the outside team morale and just the joy she brings must be a great thing for the team, I know from the sideline it brings a smile to my face and the other fans as well.
Straight from the break we nearly scored as the ball was tipped around the post and just as Chris said that would of been an incredible time to score getting the goal right from the kick off, Jodie Hutton put the ball into the net for Villa making it 0-2 and doubling the advantedge on the day. The ball was definatly in our court now as Watford would have to try and chase the game but alot of the time they couldn’t pass our midfield or the ball was over hit going forward. Helen Ward, Wales record scorer had a chance and you don’t wish to give her a chance as she will punish you but she pulled it wide of the target. The next phase of play after the hour mark Phoebe Warner was through and as she tried to connect with the cross on her head, I’m pretty sure she was taken out from behind as the player went straight through her but no foul was given for it. Hayley Crackle (Who once again had a cracking game up and down the wing) came off for Tash Baptiste (Always great to see Tash getting minutes as you know what you will get) 76 minutes into the game after pressure from Villa once again pinning Watford back Elisha N’Dow picked out Beth Merrick with a inch perfect ball and Beth smashed the ball home that clipped the crossbar and went in (We didn’t celebrate straight away as we couldn’t see it had crossed line from where we was haha) but it was 0-3 to Villa and game over as we made our dominance pay off. With 10 minutes to go Bethan Jewitt (A player with a massive future at the Villa for sure) came on to replace Jodie Hutton (Who put herself about all over the pitch, scored and took a knock) Followed with a Sub that saw Ashlee Brown (Always class endless pace and proved at half time has an eye for a target) came on for Aiofe Hurley (Who once again like mentioned before worked endlessly and doesn’t always get the credit she truely deserves) Tash Baptiste came close as the keeper just about tipped over her effort as we was waiting to celebrate a goal for Tash which we always love to do but it wasn’t meant to be this game. Villa made sure of the clean sheet as Aja Aguirre didn’t really have a touch in second half I can’t remember a save even having to be made throughout the 90 minutes.
A great performance and finally getting the result we deserve as over last few games we couldn’t keep it up for the 90 minutes and wasn’t taking chances when they fell but today we made sure we did that and as Owen would say if you keep a clean sheet you have a good chance to win. We don’t have a game now again until 12th April away to London Bees which is a shame as we could of tried to build on the result we gained against Watford. It feels great to get the W and the 3 points as we support the team even in defeat but in victory it is so much sweeter. We will know look to chase down the teams above us in the remaining games and try and build on todays victory. So many positives today and very appricative on a good away team for the team involving us and making us feel apart of the club. In other news our Development team lost 2-3 to Everton at Tamworth, it seems like we might of been unlucky in this game but I haven’t heard anything about the game yet. The Development are due to play next on 22nd April against Sunderland but they have two games that was stopped because of bad weather so hopefully in the gap between now and the next game we can manage to see the’re might be a rearranged game. Our next few First team games I’m not sure we can make with the two games as they both are away in London midweek, I will see if it is possible to go but it will definatly be a struggle and a shame (Thanks FA)
Aja Aguirre – Didn’t have alot to do but the couple of touches she had she looked confident.
Chloe Jones – Put some great free kicks into dangerous areas during the game.
Jade Richards – No nonsense CB101, always class from Jade in all games.
Elisha N’Dow – Tough and strong, won us the ball back many times.
Hayley Crackle – Worked hard up and down the wing to get Villa on the front foot.
Jodie Hutton – Worked hard as always getting herself about and deserved her goal.
Amy West – Was so unlucky not to score hitting the crossbar early on in the game.
Aiofe Hurley – Works so hard and doesn’t always get the credit she truly deserves.
Alice Hassall – 2 in 2 for Alice, Watch out strikers because Alice is coming.
Phoebe Warner – Huste and bustle throughout with major effort. My POTM.
Beth Merrick – CF, Goal in off the crossbar and maybe on a different day could of scored many more.
Tash Baptiste – Was so unlucky not to score in the time she was on the pitch.
Bethan Jewitt – Always gives maximum effort with a smile.
Ashlee Brown – Worried Watford near the end with her pace up the wings.
