Denton Town 3 Heyside Clarets 4 (L/Cup)

Girls, you were so unlucky today. Clarets are the champs, so we knew it would be tough, but you matched them tackle for tackle. I don't want to take anything away from our opponents today, they are a great team from a terrific club, who like us, do a fab job promoting girls football, but for me, two decisions swung it their way.

Firstly, their 2nd goal, which brought them level at 2-2, was clearly a foul on keeper Hannah. Hannah had the ball in both hands, only for the forward to kick it from her, then planting the ball into an empty net.

Secondly, Kylie handled the ball in our penalty area, and from where I was standing, she was protecting her face. Difficult one for the ref, as no doubt Heyside would of complained had she waved on, but I feel that would of been the correct decision.

The ref was Kirsty Doherty, who used to play for us a few seasons ago. Not one of her best games, but knowing Kirsty as I do, she is a lovely girl who always trys to give a fair decision, but on this occassion, she didn't do us any favours - not that I was asking for any. 7/10.

Their numbers 4 and 9 were outstanding, but in the end I opted for number 9.

Over to you Rick.

NIGEL

p.s. Rick has volunteered to sing Total Eclipse of the Heart by Bonnie Tyler with Teah at our presentation night on 24th May. Can't wait. I'm going to film it and put it on YouTube as well.
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Although I'm not really one for harping on about referees sometimes their decisions can leave you feeling frustrated and this morning Denton were on the receiving end of two woeful decisions which ultimately proved costly.
The opposition, Heyside Angels, are deservedly champions-elect. They have a very impressive record at this level which has been established by their good organisation defensively and a technically astute attack. If our own ability is to be measured at their standard, however, then we are not at all too far apart. The Heyside coaches announced at the final whistle that we had provided their toughest battle this season and that if the girls are to progress to the final of this competition then it would make a worthy spectacle.

If the girls are to reach their potential then it is vital that they fully appreciate the "team" ethic. This is a point Amy has drilled into them through-out this campaign and during Thursdays training session she introduced some team-building exercises. Whilst it was unclear in midweek whether the players had taken this seriously my feeling is that, based on this performance, there certainly appeared to be more of a togetherness about the girls. I urge them to continue in this vain as the driving force behind any successful team is a healthy respect for one another and a desire to help your team mates.

This was always likely to be a fixture to challenge Denton's unbeaten run. Amy had the thankless task of naming a starting 7 from a group of 9 talented girls; eventually deciding to start with Hannah, Teah, Emily, Kendal, Lauren, Georgia and Kay. This meant the in-form Kylie dropping to the bench alongside Grace but to their credit both took the disappointment respectfully realising that this is indeed a strong squad. In recognition of Heyside's attacking strengths Kendall was asked to fulfill a holding role in the centre of midfield yet this didn't prevent the skipper from opening the scoring inside the first 5 minutes. Lauren swung in a tantalising corner from the left and Kendall lost her marker at the far post to somehow beat the keeper with a delightful flick of her boot. Denton were certainly holding their own. Kendall was sweeping up perfectly in the centre with Emily and Teah also in terrific form behind her. Nevertheless the champions showed their credentials when equalising with a low drive to Hannah's left. The majority of teams would have been likely to succumbed to Heyside's renewed optimism but not this group of fighters!! Within minutes they were back ahead. Teah made a crucial tackle and the ball found its way to Lauren who raced clear of the defender and weighted another perfect pass for leading scorer Kay to scamper behind the last player and slot home with great composure to make it 2-1.

With just minutes remaining of the first half, and with the next goal likely to be vastly important to the outcome, the referee made her first conspicuous decision. Hannah dropped to her knees to collect a long-ranged effort and with both hands on the ball the Heyside forward bundled it away from her and into the empty net!!

Georgia had earned a rest at the beginning of the second half and was replaced by Grace. Prior to kick-off I had spoken to Georgia about influencing the game and she produced an energetic, classy display combining her natural attacking talents with combative defensive duties. Kylie had also been introduced late in the first period after Kay sustained a minor injury to her foot and she was also to add her usual feisty cameo in an unfamiliar centre forward role.

Unfortunately for a very short while Denton appeared to switch-off from their full concentration and were punished by a quick-fire Heyside double. Firstly the technically-gifted number 4 found herself free to strike with a venemous volley which was absolutely unstoppable and then the referee made her second blunder in awarding a penalty-kick for alleged handball against Kylie who had clearly just been protecting her face from being struck at point blank range. It was a harsh decision to say the very least!!!

Full credit to the girls once again who refused to lie down and be beaten. Teah and Emily continued to dominate at the back granting their team-mates licence to push forward and with 5 minutes remaining there was fresh hope as Emily's deadly long throw-ins caused havoc in the Heyside penalty area and resulted in an own goal to reduce the arrears. Denton continued to search for the equaliser and came mighty close as Grace's attempt was deflected over the crossbar but Heyside held their nerve to earn the points.

Player of the Match as voted by Heyside: Kay - always a threat when running at the defence and took her goal well.

Rick's Player of the Match: Very tough to call, I could say the whole team again but I will try not to sit on the fence. Defensively thought we were very sound with Emily and Teah and I
was also very proud of the performance of Georgia but my vote again goes to captain marvel Kendall for the second week in succession. She sacrificed her attacking exploits for the good of the team and still managed to score! She was essential in breaking up Heyside counter-attacks.

P.s. Nigel - I don't recall ever agreeing to sing a duet with Teah and if I did it wouldn't be a Bonnie Tyler song that's for sure!!! Besides it would be a sensitive issue to duet with Teah
after she announced I was no longer her "bird" !! Ha! Ha!

RICK.