South Reading Vixens

The girls were anxious to put last week’s below par performance behind them, and took hold of the game from the kick off. Jaye went close three times in the first ten minutes, with Jessica also forcing a diving save from the busy Ropley keeper. The Jets then battled their way back into it, and Kelsey blocked a goalbound shot at close range to keep things even. Ropley finally took the lead midway through the half when a shot deflected off Malicia to leave Ellie with no chance of saving. But unlike last week, the girls were in no mood to capitulate and went straight back on the offensive. Jessica shot just wide after a long throw from Malicia, before Jaye finally levelled it after another good throw from Kelsey. The Vixens pressed forward again, and a couple of minutes later Kelsey ran through to put the visitors in front. At the other end Ashleigh and Karis were letting nothing past, and played some great passes up the pitch. There was still time for Jaye to hit a fantastic volley from Kelsey’s corner, but the excellent Jets keeper was well positioned and gathered the ball confidently.

It got even better for South Reading shortly after the restart when Kelsey reached a long pass just before the keeper and finished in style. Karis then played some great corners into the danger area, but the Vixens just could not find the finishing touch. Malicia took a turn up front, and her strength caused problems for the hosts defence who were frequently happy to play the ball out. However Ropley were not a team to let their heads drop, and it wasn’t long before Ellie had to hook the ball away to clear a scramble in front of the Vixens goal. Eventually the Jets pulled one back after a good pass found a free player in the centre, and a couple of minutes later it was even once more as a Ropley attacker turned the Vixens defence. Both sides were being urged on by the supporters, and Jaye again went close on a couple of occasions. The girls were now visibly tiring but still kept going, with Felisha in particular working hard in midfield. But there were to be no more goals, and the final whistle blew with the score at 3-3.

The Vixens came off exhausted, with the girls disappointed that they hadn’t managed to take all three points. But both teams had given everything, and nothing more could have been asked from either of them. It had been a hard fought match with full commitment from both sides, a great advert for girls football and a real nailbiter for all the supporters. Thanks go to Ropley for an entertaining and competitive game played in the right spirit, and we look forward to meeting them again later in the season.

Squad: Ellie, Malicia, Ashleigh, Karis, Felisha, Jessica, Kelsey, Jaye

The Vixens player of the match was Malicia, who was strong and tireless in both defence and attack.