Epworth Belles we’re the visitors to Shaw Wood for the final home fixture of the season. The reverse fixture finished 6 - 2 to Epworth on the opening weekend of the season back in September. Many things have changed since then for both teams and going into today Epworth we’re sitting in third in the table only needing one win from the final three games to guarantee third, and Armthorpe in fifth not able to gain or lose any positions now. It was an early kick off today and the game started with end to end football from the off. The Belles we’re creating the better chances early on by overloading the three Armthorpe defenders. Armthorpe created a few half chances but nothing clear cut. The visitors took the lead when the ball fell to the winger on the edge of the box and she fired a shot over the keeper Emily. Half time came with the hosts 0 - 1 down. The half time team talk was simple for the Wellie, stop passing into the feet of the attackers and start giving the forwards something to run onto, to take advantage of the Epworth high line. Also a change in formation for the blues to go four at the back to match up to the 4 Epworth attackers. And it worked as within five minutes Welfare we’re level when Olivia Sayles put a through ball for Emma to chase and score. Then some great forward play from the front three combined for Leah Simpson-Holland to assist Freya Foulston to get her first of the game. Emily Mcallister then held on to Epworth shot, and provided a route one solution by kicking with distance for Emma to run onto to get her second and put daylight between the teams. Then a potential turning point in the game when the visitors got bodies forward and had not one, not two but three opportunities to half the deficit but super Emily Mcallister was equal to all 3 shots to pull off a stunning triple save. That moment did 2 things, deflated the visitors and injected confidence in the the home team. A fourth goal came when Lexi Hirst played the ball forward for the speedy Freya to race onto to score. And then with the last kick of the game Freya Foulston got her hat trick, when Tillyanna Jackson won the ball back with a crunching tackle to then find Lexi Hirst to double her assist tally for the day to feed Freya. A 5 - 1 win to sign off the home fans against a strong team was a great day for the blues. It was a remarkable team performance. No game next week on Easter weekend and then they travel to Denaby Main to finish the season.
It was second against fifth at shawwood today both teams couldn’t gain or lose any positions in the league so today was all for pride. This fixture has always been fiesty and today was not expected to be any different. If Armthorpe were stretched last week it was even worse this week missing four key players including top scorer Clara, goalkeeper Emily and defenders Tilly and Libbie. So Evie had to step between the sticks for the second time this season, and unusual position for Neve playing in defence for the first time, also Millie was restored at CB after her excellent second half display last week in that position. The game started quite even with the home team able to create some attacks without really any of them becoming clear cut chances. Askern always looked dangerous on the attack against an inexperienced defence. The visitors got the breakthrough midway through the half when the winger beat the offside trap down the left and she cut in and put the team wearing black ahead. And they doubled their lead before half time when somehow the forward managed to run through the middle and slot the ball in. Half time came and Armthorpe needed to push on if they wanted to get back into the game. But the home team started the second half quite lethargic playing like a beaten team. The away team got a third goal ten minutes after the break. This seemed to bring the Wellie to life, as they started to push forward and put Askern under pressure. And within minutes they had pulled one back when Emma Kendall Lovell provided an excellent assist for Freya Foulston to finish after a battle with the keeper. The home team was pushing now and they reverted to three at the back in an attempt to salvage the game. The blues were creating chances and winning corners and free kicks in dangerous areas. Askern almost extended their lead but a goal was ruled out for offside. And then the same combination that linked before worked again as Emma provided an assist for Freya to score with two minutes left to play. Armthorpe could have nicked a draw with the final kick of the game when Leah found herself 1v1 and the keeper made a good save which won it for the visitors. Another second half fight back but nothing to show for the Wellie girls. Next up is a friendly against the U10 boys team before the last 2 games of the season.
Retford again for the blues, it feels like this fixture is always coming around quickly. And after the draw two weeks prior another tough game was expected. For the home team today it was like a game of spot the centre back (which the answer was, there are none) with injury to Libbie and absence from the only other two centre backs Olivia and Evie left them with no recognised centre defenders. It meant that coach Brendan was going to have to be creative. They started the game playing regular full backs Skye and Tilly in central roles and using usual wingers Millie Ann and Freya as full backs. On occasion it worked as they managed to mount some attacks using wing backs. But it left them vulnerable through the middle and Retford took advantage of it to score two goals in quick succession midway through the half. Emma dropped into centre back role to add some pace and power until the coaches could come up with another plan. Armthorpe then pulled a goal back when an excellent ball from Leah teed up Clara Brown in the middle who finished calmly to half the deficit. The importance of that goal cannot be underestimated going into half time. Another reshuffle at half time saw Wellie revert to a traditional back four without wing backs, and Emma pushed into a centre midfield role in an attempt to anchor the midfield. It worked well as Armthorpe took control of the game and playing as a makeshift CB Millie Ann Petch was defending excellently along side another non permanent defender Lexi Hirst. If there was one moment in the game that was going to decide which way the game would go that came when goalkeeper Emily Mcallister pulled off a stunning save to keep the Wellie in the game, this heroics from Emily fired on Welfare even more. Then a moment of magic when Clara Brown intercepted a forward pass and pulled out an astonishing 30 yard lob to bring the game level. It was contender for goal of the season for the welfare and from then on it was all the home team. The introduction of Freya added to the attacking force. Now playing in their more familiar full back roles Skye and Tilly were much more comfortable and we’re playing some great forward balls too. A couple of chances for Ava and Leah could have nicked the win but in the end a draw was probably a fair result. Next up is a tough home game against Askern who in the second half of the season have been the strongest team and are in the cup final.
The Wellie we’re back at home against Rossington which was the first of four straight home games. Without CB Evie though illness and also missing was winger Emma. But a boost for the blues was the return from injury for Freya after missing 4 months with a ankle injury, and also Ava who missed last week game with a ankle injury also. Both were not 100% but looking to impact the game at some point from the bench. Also after missing training through illness Clara was ready to go, and with Tilly carrying a painful toe injury (but that was never going to stop the determined full back) it was a team of the walking wounded today. The game started very strong from the home team being on top from the off. There were some excellent linkup play from the front three Lilly, Millie and Leah in the opening phase. Some great passing sequences from Lilly and Leah and great battling down the right side from Millie created several chances the best of which fell to Lilly Homes who came 1 on 1 with the keeper but unfortunately the shot was straight down the keepers throat. Millie Ann Petch was making her 100th Appearance also had a chance that was just dragged wide of the far post. Leah was working hard pulling the strings in midfield but only ever really had any half chances. Clara Brown came on half way through the first period to try to add some penetration to the attacks. Five minutes before the break came a long awaited appearance for Freya Foulston after a long injury. Then on the stroke of half time the Welfare finally made their dominance count when great work from Clara on the left found Leah at the far side of the box and a great cross back to Clara who was attacking the back post to put the home team in front. Half time 1-0 and should have been more. The message at half time was the wing backs needed to get forward and join the attack more. Ava Spivey came on to do exactly that, and a lot of joy started coming down the left. Neve who also came on at half time for the excellent Lexi in the centre of the park was battling hard and putting some great forward passes. Also the centre backs were very strong it seemed that everything that came Libbie’s way was headed clear and Olivia captain for the day was as cool and calm as ever. Like the first half despite the dominance there were too many missed chances from all the front players the best probably fell to Freya who couldn’t beat the keeper. Freya who worked really hard and played well, was in a crunching tackle and this was the end of her return and she was replaced by Millie as a precaution. It was an extremely quiet day for keeper Emily who after last weeks exploits maybe would welcome a quiet game, but she stayed alert and when called upon she came and collected the ball to stop a rare Rossington attack. Then with fifteen left to play Ava and Clara teamed up to win the ball back on the left side of the Rosso box, Clara cut inside and fired toward goal only for the defender to divert the ball into her own goal. Skye came back on in the left back position and played some excellent forward balls in the closing stages. Ava’s confidence was growing minute by minute and then with five minutes left she chased down a Millie shot and the keeper couldn’t hold on to it and Ava Spivey was there to pick up the pieces and kill the game off. A perfect example to chase every ball down. The game ended an extremely comfortable but quite underwhelming 3-0. Now all focus is on welcoming Retford FC to Shaw Wood a win for The Wellie will put them 2 points behind them with a game in hand, so a cracker is expected.
Armthorpe visited Nottinghamshire today to play against the leagues in form team Retford. The last time these teams met here was in the cup back in November where the hosts won with a late and extremely debatable penalty, with the same referee today history couldn’t repeat itself could it ….. that aforementioned game was the start of opposite contrasts for the 2 teams, with Retford unbeaten since, winning 7 and drawing 2 of there games, and on the flip side Armthorpe only managed 3 wins and 2 draws and 2 defeats in the same period. The team travelling from east Doncaster was dealt another blow after Ava Spivey picked up an ankle injury during training and will spend a couple of weeks on the side-lines with long term injury casualty Freya Foulston, who has started to be involved in training a little bit recently on her road to recovery. On to the game then and a change in formation for the visitors todays who reverted to 4 at the back giving the full backs licence to get forward with cover from the defensive midfielders. The idea was to try to contain the hosts strong attacking players while also maintaining their strength down the wings. The game started well for the Wellie who were on top in the early stages and looked comfortable defensively too. There were no clear cut chances but Welfare came close through Leah, Emma, Clara and Skye in the first half. In the end Retford defended well and created a few of their own half chances too. A very competitive half ended all square. The message to the turquoise girls at half time was to stay concentrated as the second half’s have not been kind to them this season 22 of there 30 goals conceded have come in the second half of games. Keeping the opponent out in the first half means that’s five consecutive games that they have not conceded in the first half. Early in the second half the hosts were on top putting the away team under pressure and the game was getting messy. Armthorpe slowly found their way in to the game and started attacking more and more. Midway through the half the team in Turquoise had a corner on the right side which Emma Kendall-Lovell took. She drilled it into the box in that awkward area between the GK and the defenders and after a scramble Leah Simpson-Holland poked the ball in the net. The last fifteen was a battle with both teams fighting hard. It looked like it was going to finish 1-0 but just like the November cup meeting a controversial decision made that not the case. Retford attacked down the right hand side and an attempted through ball saw the offside flag raised but the referee allowed the game to continue as the ball didn’t reach her, but a case could be made that the defender would have behaved differently if the player wasn’t behind her, the ball dropped to the same midfielder who played the same pass to the now onside player to run through and score a 1v1 with the keeper. It was more late heartbreak for Wellie Girls and a late equaliser for the home team. The game finished all square and that was their third draw in four games.
Next up is a game against bottom team Rossington, but if this season has taught Armthorpe anything its that no one can be underestimated. And on top of the injuries some other key players are missing which means the girls will have to be ready for a fight.
A month on from when Dunscroft came from 4-1 down to win the two teams locked horns again. This time Armthorpe we’re the hosts on a sunny Saturday late morning kickoff. There was a minute silence before kick off requested by the away team to remember a local lad who had recently passed away. The game started in a very physical way both teams showing they are up for the fight today. There were early chances at both ends with both keepers being called in to action in the first quarter. The home team got the break through when Ava Spivey chased the ball down the right side and put a teasing cross into the middle, Leah had to work hard but after a couple of stabs managed to put the ball over the line. Confidence was high then and almost immediately from the kick off the blues were on the attack again, a wayward clearance fell to Clara Brown on the left side of the box who calmly slotted the ball away. There were chances for the Wellie to extend their lead before half time when Lilly Holmes and Leah Simpson-Holland probably should have scored. Half time came with a two goal advantage. The second half seemed to step up in terms of physicality and both sets of players were giving as good as they were taking. Then Deja vu from the last time these teams played, the Warriors got back into the game with 2 goals in a five minute period. Was we going to see another collapse from the welfare, the short answer was no. Fifteen minutes into the half a cross came in and the Dunscroft defender for some reason decided to catch the ball leading to a penalty. Leah Simpson-Holland stepped up and rolled the ball in to the bottom corner to the keepers right. It’s was a nervy last quarter with only one goal lead and Dunscroft created a couple good chances but the result was put to bed with three minutes left when Clara Brown now playing as a striker, latched onto a through ball from Emma Kendall-Lovell and as the keeper came off her line Clara poked the ball past the keeper to make it four. And that’s how the game finished with a great fought win for the Wellie in there first home game in 6 weeks. Next up is an away game against the leagues most inform team Retford which will be a very tough game for the Armthorpe Girls, before then four straight home games to follow.
Welfare cant hold on to the Win !
This weekend the Armthorpe girls made the short trip to Edenthorpe for a fifth away fixture in a row, a run that has yielded 2 wins a draw and a loss so far. Edenthorpe since the last meeting with Armthorpe have been on a great run knocking Adwick out of the cup and getting a draw against Askern more recently so todays game was likley going to be much closer than the last game. The Welfare without their team manager this week so it was left to Sam and Kayleigh to orchestrate from the sides. The first half was very much all the away team as the team in yellow tried to absorb all the pressure from the Wellie. The goal came when Leah Simpson-Holland converted an Ava Spivey assist to give the visitors a well deserved lead. It was a lead they held onto until half time, but they probably felt they should have been ahead by much more. The second half was more even as the home team changed up their formation and looked for an equaliser. Which did come when they won the ball and broke quickly and found the net. The rest of the game was a battle which finished all square as the team in turquoise penned a second consecutive draw. Armthorpe Welfare welcome Dunscroft next week and hope to get some revenge for the second half collapse they had a month ago.
Frustrating Day For the Wellie !
The blues travelled to Brodsworth way Pavilion to play against Doncaster Belles for the third time this season having won on both previous occasions at home in the league and cup. It was a very cold and wet Saturday morning and again Armthorpe was without 4 players due to injury and illness and again had to find a volunteer for the goal, which Evie Woodward reluctantly agreed. The game started very competitive with both teams looking like they wanted to fight for the win. A great chance fell to Lilly Holmes in the area which the keeper rushed out and saved well. Armthorpe we’re defending well but struggled to mount many meaningful attacks as whenever they managed to get the ball forward the offside flag went up. To say some of the calls were debatable would have been polite. Lilly was victim of the flag as she seemed to poke the ball over the line to be denied by the linesman. There were half chances for Emma Kendall-Lovell and Leah Simpson Holland in the first half too but not finding the target. Evie in goal was commanding the area and was playing like a sweeper keeper, tidying up any balls that came over the defence. Half time came and Evie decided to stay in goal in the second half after a great first half display, and she was great in the second half too which was more busy for her and also had to distribute more too. The second half was more end to end but like the first half the flag was not their friend and the Wellie coaches now stood in line with the attack could see how ridiculous the decisions were, the referee was not getting the support needed from the linesman. And when the away team played a through ball and was 1v1 with the keeper and yes up went the flag when the attackers were a yard onside the coaches in blue lost it, having to be calmed down by the referee. It was clearly going to be difficult for Armthorpe to play there usual way so had to try big kicks from the back line and chase in an attempt to beat the trap. With just seconds left on the clock the visitors almost snatched it when the ball pinged around the box and eventually fell to Leah near the penalty spot with the goal gaping in-front, the shot going agonisingly wide of the post. The game finished a stalemate, a very rare score in grassroots (despite that the only other game in the league today also finished 0-0) it was a very hard fought point for Welfare and a performance where the girls needed to stay focused on the task despite some distractions. And a second consecutive clean sheet too showing if they can add goals they can be very competitive for the remainder of the season.
Armthorpe we’re looking to put last weeks second half collapse behind them today. Again missing a few players with injury and absence including goalkeeper Emily Mcallister which meant volunteers were needed between the sticks and thanks to Emma Kendall-Lovell and Millie Ann Petch that position was covered. The game started with Armthorpe on top keeping the ball in the opposition half and putting together some great passing sequences. There was a ball into the box that the Bentley defender instinctively put her arm up to block and gave away a penalty. Leah Simpson-Holland stepped up and smashed the ball down the middle and it bounced in off the underside of the cross bar. There was a strange muted celebration something that definitely needs working on. The rest of the first half followed a similar pattern the away team creating the better chances and the hosts were putting the ball into dangerous areas from a long throw, which was dealt with every time by the defence especially centre back Libbie. Speaking of the defence it was a very solid display all round display today especially after last weeks woes. And full packs Olivia, Tilly and Skye started many great attacks by playing the ball calmly rather than just hoofing it. The middle third of the game had a theme for the visitors, create opportunities and miss the target majority of which fell the Leah. Also a great chance for Neve just before half time was blazed over the bar. The second half was much the same with Emma finishing her siting in goal now on the right most was coming down that side. And then with twelve minutes left to play Ava Spivey was found in the box by Leah and she calmly got the ball out of her feet and struck the ball above the keeper who got hands to it but it bounced just over the line, a strange hill behind the goal line made the ball bounce back into play which caused some confusion initially but the ball had clearly crossed the line. The the team in turquoise were truly on top and continued to create chance after chance with the hosts barely getting out of thier half. And believe or not but there was another hand ball and another penalty. Again Leah stepped up and channeled her inner Mo Salah to fire the ball into the bottom corner. The game finished with a deserved win and hopefully the blues can carry some confidence into the game next week against Doncaster Belles who will likely be a much sterner test.
This match exemplified the concept of a game of two halves. The Wellie faced the Dunscroft Warriors at their new venue in Hatfield Woodhouse. The away team, encountering Dunscroft for the first time this season, was missing several key players due to illness and injury. They began the match with great intensity, as a long throw from Emma Kendall-Lovell sailed over the defence and was skillfully controlled by Clara Brown, allowing the blues to take an early lead. Midway through the first half, striker Ava Spivey found herself on the left side of the box and passed the ball back to Clara Brown, who, after displaying impressive footwork, doubled the score. Just ten minutes later, Lilly Holmes delivered a pass through the centre to Clara, who showcased her talent by completing her hat trick and seemingly putting Welfare in a commanding position.
However, Dunscroft began to find their rhythm. They first threatened the goal but were thwarted by an outstanding last-ditch tackle from Olivia Sayles. A subsequent shot from inside the box was brilliantly saved by Emily McAllister, but the striker reacted quickly to net the home team's first goal. Just before halftime, Armthorpe managed to restore their three-goal lead when Clara Brown provided an assist. She chased down the ball on the left, keeping it in play despite the home team's belief it would go out, and delivered a precise cross into the centre where Millie Ann Petch was poised to score after a tussle with a defender.
As halftime arrived, the Wellie Girls could have considered the match a success based on their performance, but football consists of two halves, which proved to be a challenge today. Within two minutes of the second half commencing, the Warriors managed to score, reigniting their hopes. This marked the beginning of a chaotic 15-minute period during which the team in blue struggled defensively, leaving excessive space for their opponents in central areas. Consequently, the home team capitalized on this vulnerability, scoring four goals by the midpoint of the second half to take the lead. The Armthorpe coaching staff responded by urgently adjusting player positions and personnel in an effort to salvage the match. The final fifteen minutes resembled the first half; however, the home team, now brimming with confidence, proved to be significantly more challenging to penetrate. Despite maintaining possession, particularly on the left flank, Armthorpe failed to generate any clear scoring opportunities. Before they realized it, the match concluded, resulting in a surprising victory for Dunscroft, which underscored the impact of determination. The DN3 team must now regroup and prepare for a similar challenge against Bentley next week.
Armthorpe we’re looking to put last weeks defeat behind them as they travelled to Mexborough. There was no memo to wear wellington boots instead of football boots, to call certain areas of the pitch boggy would have been an understatement, but as it was only a small area of the pitch it was deemed ok by the home team to go ahead, with the agreement that if it proved too bad that the game would be stopped. Luckily that was not the case as the game was completed and in a safe way. As expected by the pitch conditions it was very difficult to move the ball freely around the pitch, so the game was quite slow paced but with lots of close battles all around. Armthorpe tried to play football and created some chances without joy. And the only chance in the first half for the hosts came from a long high ball over the top to leave the striker 1 on 1, with goalkeeper Emily Mcallister making a good save. And then five minutes before the break the visitors made one of their many attacks count when just like last week Leah Simpson-Holland provided the assist for Emma Kendall-Lovell to score the opener. The second half was pretty much the same with the blues on top and creating chance after chance, without being able to extend their lead. That was until five minutes from time when todays captain Clara Brown put a cross from the right side that found its way to the back post where left winger Millie Ann Petch was waiting to tap home and finally make the lead comfortable. Then only one minute later Clara Brown found herself again at the right side of the area and again put a great cross into the box, this time for the defender to poke the ball into the net for an own goal. Another minute later Wellie completed the scoring when Emma Kendall-Lovell returned the favour to assist Leah Simpson-Holland to run through the middle and make it four. A fantastic result for the girls in blue that took them up to 5th in the table with games in hand over teams around them. Next up is a trip to Dunscroft to play for the first time this season.
The Wellie girls were back in action for the first time in 6 weeks after a combination of pitch conditions and Christmas break kept the blues out of action. Today Welfare hosted the league leaders Adwick who have won all thirteen of their league games this season, making this no doubt the toughest possible test to get back in the swing. Despite the long break the home team came into the game with several injuries and were missing Freya through an ankle injury. Slight change in the line up for the hosts as Emma was playing up front instead of her usual wing. And Neve was asked to man mark the Adwick top scorer. The game started quite competitive without many chances being created Neve doing well initially to keep the APR forward quiet. The visitors then pushed down the right side and found some space in the box, Neve had to leave her player to try and stop the attack and the ball fell to the striker who found the inside of the far post for the ball to go in. It felt like the home team were hanging on a bit then. Until the 22nd minute when Leah found some space on the right and played a fantastic ball behind the defence for Emma Kendall- Lovell to calmly finish to bring the game level. The first half finished all square. The second half was a battle the away team were on top and they muscled there way through the middle and they got the goal to put them in front. Armthorpe then we’re pushing for an equaliser most of they joy came down the right had side through Clara Brown who put some great balls into danger area but despite getting into some good areas the hosts couldn’t create and clear chances. The game finished 1-2 and the league leaders extended there surly unassailable lead in the table, Armthorpe suffered thier fourth loss of the season and next up is a string of away games for the blues. a tough result for the girls today but a great contest to get back upto speed and they certainly didn't shy away form the challenge.
Armthorpe travelled to Retford in the quarter final of the cup. It’s always a close game between these 2 teams in the past. After a week off with the bad weather it was Armthorpe who looked a bit rusty at the start, after many strong starts this season it was the hosts with an early goal after 4 minutes, when they overloaded the Welfare defence and found space in the box to poke home. After strong recent defensive performances the visitors switched off briefly to concede. The game was quite even then for majority of the first half, as the first period progressed the team in Turqoise was getting more and more of the ball, a couple of excellent through balls from midfield maestro and captain for the day Leah Simpson Holland threatened the Retford back line, one of which found Clara Brown who shot was saved by the excellent on the day Home keeper. Emma Kendall Lovell was also putting some great balls in the box but no one was getting on the end of them. Half time came and the message was to win more 50/50’s and that was the case as Armthorpe started the second half much better and as they looked for a equaliser. And it came about 15 minutes into the half when Leah played the ball to the feet of Emma Kendall Lovell who got her powerful shot away the keeper couldn’t hold on to it and the game was level. Then the game turned into a battle all over the pitch, and with five minutes to go there was what resembled a battle royal in the Armthorpe box involving 4 or 5 players from both teams. In which the referee saw what he believed was enough contact to give a penalty to the home side, which they scored. That last five minutes was wave after wave of attack from the Wellie, mainly coming from several long throws from Emma. Libbie was pushing forward and almost scored with a long range effort only for the keeper to save. And there were also chances for Clara and Leah but it wasn’t to be as Retford got their first win against Armthorpe in a very competitive game. Definitely areas to work on for Armthorpe Welfare and no doubt they will come back stronger from this game. Next up back to league action against Epworth Town.
In other results in the cup all were close games. Edenthorpe with shock penalty win to knock out favourites Adwick, and Askern beating strong Epworth. And Denaby progress to the semi finals after beating Rossington, despite no points in the league that’s 2 wins on the bounce in the cup.
The Wellie welcomed old rivals Edenthorpe to Shaw Wood for their first meeting since finals day final when the yellows took the win and the trophy. Armthorpe looking to continue thier perfect home record this season. The home team started with a more defensive line up with the aim to use wingers Mille Ann Petch and Ava Spivey to to break down the wings and create chances. And the early part of the game was quiet even with both team seeing plenty of the ball but not creating any clear chances. The hosts started to dominate the game as the half went on and there were some half chances that fell to Millie Ann and Leah Simpson-Holland but they couldn’t convert. Then a couple minutes beforethe break, a quick counter attack down the right hand side meant the visitors were outnumbered and a great cross from Freya Foulston reached Leah Simpson-Holland who swivelled on the ball and finished in the bottom corner. The second half was mainly played in the Edenthorpe half, and it resulted in chance after chance for the blues and only some great goalkeeping kept the gap at 1 for most of the the half. Libbie started to step out from the back and had couple of long range efforts that were both close. It was a difficult day for Clara Brown as the opposition were focused on the defending so she rarely had time on the ball. But she kept going and eventually Emma Kendall-Lovell picked Clara out in a bit of rare space in the box for her to kill the game off and reward her for all the hard work. Ava Spivey almost made it thee in the closing stages but again only denied by a great save. Evie Woodward came on for the last five minutes which was great news as she has not played for 2 months with a broken toe, great to have Evie back in the fold. Back to back clean sheets for Armthorpe in what was another great defensive performance especially from Olivia Sayles who again unexpectedly had to step into CB due to injuries but didn’t put a foot wrong.
Armthorpe we’re looking to bounce back this week after a narrow defeat last week. AFC Bentley came to Shaw Wood, Bentley are a new team this season but have already racked up a couple of wins in a great start to the season. The game started in a very competitive way with both teams having chances early on. Once the game settled the hosts started to impose themselves on the opposition and only some great defending and goalkeeping kept the game goalless in the first half. The best chance came from a indirect free kick when the Bentley goalkeeper picked up a back pass. Leah Simpson-Holland rolled the ball the Emma Kendall-Lovell who smashed the ball just wide. Despite many chances the first half somehow ended all level. The message at half time was to keep up the pressure and concentrate on shooting in the corners as it was the only way they were going to beat the solid goalkeeper. The second half started much the same as the first ended, and all the pressure from the home team was finally staring to make the visitors tire. Then 8 minutes into the half there was a scramble in the box for Clara Brown to poke the ball across the goal for Freya Foulston to arrive on the back post to score the opener with help from the defender. The pattern of play just started to intensify with attack after attack for the hosts manly coming down the right hand side giving half time substitute Ava Spivey lots of action running backwards and forwards constantly, she managed to put some great balls into the box. It’s was only a matter of time before the second goal came and it did after Clara Brown found Leah Simpson-Holland to hit a fantastic strike into the top corner. Armthorpe made a few changes for the last 15 mins to bring on some fresh legs to close out the game and it worked. First a great ball down the left hand side from Olivia Sayles found Millie Ann Petch to fire home. And then just a minute before the final whistle Neve Amos picked up the ball outside the area and played the ball into the feet of Clara Brown near the penalty spot, she then turned and held off the defender and fired home the fourth. Great performance from the Wellie girls to break down the opposition in the first half and then finish them off excellently in the second half. Also massive shout out to all the defenders who were all excellent again and earned the blues their first clean sheet of the season. Clean sheets are quite rare in grassroots football so it cannot be underestimated how well the back line including the goalkeeper played.
Next up the girls welcome old rivals Edenthorpe to Shaw Wood. Armthorpe looking for revenge after losing in the cup final on finals day last season to the then.
It was third versus fourth today when Armthorpe traveled to Askern. Meetings last season were always close with the 2 teams and always were very physical. Today was no different, as the game started in a very competitive way. In a very tight first half there wasn’t many chances but the best one fell to the hosts when they struck the post. It was end to end but both teams were defending extremely well especially Welfares left back Tillyanna Jackson who let nothing past her. In the second half the game started to get stretched as tiredness was starting to kick in. The visitors best chance fell to Leah Simpson-Holland who headed the ball around the defender just inside the area, and on the half volley guided the ball towards the top corner, only for the goalkeeper who was outstanding today to pull of a great save to deny Leah. Arskern was starting to find gaps down the wings and on more than one occasion centre back Libbie Latibeaudiere had to rescue the team in turquoise. Having just returned from injury Libbie was solid at the back. And then in the dying minutes the home team won a free kick on the left had side about 20 yards out. They put a great strike toward the goal, Wellie keeper Emily Mcallister made good save to deny her but unfortunately the ball dropped to the striker to score the winner.
It was another late goal that cost Armthorpe Welfare girls against one of their main rivals but all in all a great game of proper football, that needed everyone to dig deep and battle hard. It shows how close it is at the top and although it’s now 3 defeats against the top 3 for the Wellie they will be out for revenge when they all have to come to shaw wood.
The Wellie we’re back at Shaw Wood this week for a 10am kick off against Mexborough Knights. A good start for the Knights this season with two wins already despite not winning any games last season. The home team were missing a few strong players from the middle of the pitch today meaning some players had to play in different positions to normal. The game started and was quite even in the early stages with the visitors arguably starting the game better, they got some space in the left side of the area for the striker to hit the post. This woke up the hosts who almost immediately went down the other end, and a fantastic through ball from Emma Kendall-Lovell set up Clara Brown to slot home. The game remained tight and both teams fought hard. Mexborough then won a free kick 18 yards out and the strong kicking defender struck the ball into the net. Half time came and Armthorpe made 3 changes bringing on Lexi Hirst to try fill big gaps in the midfield and also Millie-Ann Petch and Freya Foulston to give some other options in attack. But it was the away team that took the lead 10 minutes into the half when a driven corner was poked in by the striker. The hosts then turned up the heat and started putting Mexborough under pressure, most of the joy coming down the right side with Emma, and it was a ball from that side into the feet of striker Millie-Ann Petch who turned to strike but was kicked by the defender when she was about the strike, to earn a penalty. And as cool as you like top scorer Clara Brown stepped up and buried the penalty passed the keeper. Then only a few minutes later Lexi Hirst picked the ball up in the middle and fed Clara who made no mistake in getting her hat trick and putting the Armthorpe girls ahead. The final stages were quite nervy but Welfare held on to the win that moved them up to 4th in the table and only 3 points behind next weeks opponents Askern.
The welfare travelled to Rossington on a rainy Saturday morning to try and make it back to back wins for the first time this season. The home team had a difficult start to the season with no points from their opening 6 games. Quick starts have been a common occurrence for the travelling team and that continued with two goals in the first 6 minutes, first goal came from a fantastic finish from Emma Kendall-Lovell with Freya Foulston with the assist. Then only 1 minute later Freya made another assist this time with a throw in for Clara Brown to slot home. The third goal came via another throw in assist this time from Emma returning the favour to Freya to finish confidently. Rossington pulled one back after winning the ball high up the pitch, but the team from DN3 didn’t waste anytime in extending their lead back to 3 goals when Leah Simpson-Holland replied within a minute after intercepting in the opponents half and breaking free in the box. A couple of minutes later goalkeeper Emily Mcallister provided, with a long kick down the middle to find Clara Brown who then showed excellent technique to dribble around the defence and tuck the ball home to bag a brace. Rossington were denied another goal on the stroke of half time when the referee deemed the ball hadn’t crossed the line, Armthorpe May have been fortunate with the decision. The message at half time from the blues manager was to keep the pressure up and send a message to the rest of the league with a statement win. And within a minute of the restart Wellie had there 6th goal when Lexi Hirst kept calm at the back to play a great ball into the feet of Leah Simpson-Holland who used strength and skill to turn the defender and found herself 1v1 with the keeper, and she made no mistake. The next goal came from Rosso’s own goal kick which Ava Spivey was stalking like a tiger in the long grass and she pounced on the left back to steal the ball and as cool as you like struck the back of the net. Then the heavens opened and football felt like a second priority to just surviving in the match. Both teams battled through storm Miltons younger sibling and after 10 minutes it cleared up and the teams could start playing proper football again. And in the last 10 minutes Armthorpe got another 2 goals both from Freya Foulston the first was assisted by the excellent on the day Clara Brown and then after holding the front line extremely well in the second half Millie Ann Petch assisted Freya’s hat trick goal after a quick throw from Neve Amos down the right. All in all it was a devastating victory for the blues and a message to the rest of the league that they are here for the fight after a tricky start. The win was the biggest by any team this season. And with a very solid defensive performance, Libbie lead the back line really well and was like a Rolls Royce in the middle a performance very much likened to Virgil Van Dijk. That solid defence coupled with some clinical finishing that the girls have been working on lead to a great day for AWJFC girls.
Donny Belles traveled to Shaw Wood for the second time in 3 weeks, this time is was the first round of the cup. Armthorpe looking to put last weeks disappointment behind them. The game started very competitively from both teams and seemed to pick up where it left off 2 weeks ago with end to end football. Welfare had the best early chances when twice Freya Foulston found herself 1v1 with the keeper for the girl between the sticks to pull off great saves on both occasions. Then the visitors took the lead when there was a game of pinball in the box and the ball sneaked past Emily Mcallister in goal. It seemed to galvanise the hosts as they pushed on and some great desire down the right side from Ava Spivey won the ball back in a dangerous position for her then set up Freya to fire the blues level. Then pushing the visitors back the blues took the lead when again winning the ball back up the pitch it fell to Clara Brown to lob the keeper from 12 yards out. The game then seemed to steady down with both defences staying strong until half time. It was clear what the instructions were for the home team at half time, attack. With Doncaster getting pushed further and further back it was only a matter of time before the Wellie got a third and that came when half time substitute Millie-Ann won the ball high up and played in Leah Simpson-Holland to channel her inner Dennis Bergkamp and chip the out rushing keeper to put daylight between the 2 teams. AWJFC we’re getting a lot of joy down the right side with the excellent winger Emma Kendall-Lovell, and it was her fantastic run that broke away and had she not been tripped over would have surely had a chance to score. Emma brushed off the foul the step up and take the free kick, she shot low and hard and it found the back of the net. The game was tipped off with more great forward play from Centre forward Millie Ann Petch who set up Freya Foulston for her second of the day and the winners fifth and final goal. The hosts saw out the game on the front foot and progressed to the quarter final of the cup in style. The confidence and team spirit is growing week on week. Next up back in league action with an away game against Rossington.
These two old rivals met for the first time this season, almost a year on from their first league meeting. Each game since the score has got closer and closer culminating in a win for the Welfare on finals day back in May. Now looking to get their first league win against Adwick and with Adwick continuing their unbeaten run from last season into this so far, it was going to be a tough game for the visitors. Manager Brendan got the girls in turquoise fired up before the game, and the game started with his team on top in the early stages. The game was constantly being played in the hosts half and just before the 10 minute mark, the away team won a free kick on the left hand side. Ava Spivey put a fantastic ball into the box that was controlled by Millie-Ann Petch, and pulled back to Emma Kendall-Lovell who showed some neat footwork to make half a yard and fire home to give the Wellie the lead. As the half progressed they remained on top and created the best chances, although Adwick were slowly getting into the game and their best first half chance came from a free kick that went just over the bar. Half time came and went and the second half was more end to end with Armthorpe arguably the better team, they defended really well, despite APR scoring 23 goals in their first four games, they rarely broke the solid defensive line. That was until ten minuets from time when what can only be described as a hit and hope had Armthorpe keeper Emily Mcallister scrambling and she seemed to reach the ball before crossing the line, but to everyone’s surprise the referee adjudged it to have crossed the line and gave the equaliser. It was a devastating blow to the visitors and terribly unjust, it would have been highly likely to have not stood had the official waited 1 more second before blowing his whistle and pointing to the centre spot. The incident didn’t change the flow of the game with Welfare creating chance after chance, the home team were limited to sporadic counter attacks. A goal for the home team was ruled out for a tight offside, And two minutes from time it was one of those counter attacks that found the defence under pressure and probably the only mistake all day from the defenders handed victory to the hosts. Football can be cruel as the defeat leaves Welfare Girls 9 points off the lead after 2 wins and 2 losses in their first four games. Next up is a cup tie against Doncaster Belles.
Armthorpe Welfare Girls welcomed a new Doncaster Belles team to shaw wood as these two teams met for the first time. Belles have had a great start to season winning their first 3 games but this was their first game against one of top 4.
The game started well for both teams with Armthorpe being largely on top in the early stages, and they took advantage of them at by going ahead around ten minuets in when Freya Foulston showed great desire to win the ball high up the pitch and then kept her cool to slot home.
It stayed 1-0 for little under ten minutes when Belles won the ball at the edge of the area and found a striker in the box to draw level. Then the Wellie jumped into gear with attack after attack, eventually the ball popped up for Lilly Holmes around 12 yards out to hit a fantastic stoke to put the home team back in front. Then some great work from Emma Kendall-Lovell and Lilly Holmes on the right side won the ball back and passed through to Clara Brown whose first shot was denied but calmly slotted home her second attempt.
In the second half the Wellie huffed and puffed creating chance after chance coming closest first through Leah Simpson-Holland striking the post and then Clara Brown through on goal after a long throw from Emma Kendall-Lovell brought out a great save from the Doncaster Belles keeper. The visitors weathered the storm and then started to push to get back in the game. They got one back directly from a corner kick ten minutes from time. The Blues had to dig deep to keep the lead the closest the Belles came was a free kick that went over the bar and Welfare saw out a nervy ending to take the points and inflict the first defeat of the season on their opponents.
Excellent performance from the girls today noticeably from Girl of the match Freya Foulston, defender Libbie Latibeaudiere and Lilly Holmes.
Armthorpe got their first points of the season against a much-improved Denaby Main team. In what turned out to be a comfortable win in the end was far from that for much of the game. In a repeat from last week Armthorpe started the game strong and like the opening game got an early goal for their efforts. It came from Millie-Anne Petch who started the game as striker overpowered the visitors defenders and then smashed the ball home after an assist coming from Emma Kendall-Lovell.
This seemed to wake up the team in red as they came back fighting, it was a very competitive first half and the away team had a weapon with a massive kick from the goalkeeper. They used that to their advantage to get an equalizer midway into the half.
The hosts were creating chances, but more often than not it was ending up in the keeper’s arms which posed its own problem with having to deal with the big kick, which they did better and better each time with some great concentration from all 4 defenders during the half. The first half finished all level. The visitors were probably more happy with this score given the pressure they were under. The Welfare new they needed to keep up the pressure and take some of the chances.
Changes at half time saw last seasons leading goal scorer Clara Brown enter the field along with midfielder Lexi Hirst with the aim to get more winners in the centre of the pitch and add some pace to the attack. It worked as the second half kicked off and Armthorpe were straight on the front foot. They continued to wear down the opposition, A second goal came from the left side with an assist from Millie-Ann Petch, for Clara Brown to slot home with a cool finish.
Then came a key point in the game, Denaby Main found themselves behind the lines and one on one with goalkeeper Emily Mcallister who pulled off an unbelievably important save and then got back to her feet quickly to make an immediate second save. This seemed to knock the stuffing out of Main who then offered very little going forward after that.
A third goal came when Armthorpe unlocked their own weapon a long throw down the right side from Emma Kendall-Lovell found Leah Simpson-Holland in the box, she still had a lot to do but managed to find half a yard and get a shot away and give the blues some breathing space.
The Wellie were now playing with confidence, pinging the ball around with ease. Some great passes coming from midfield (especially Lexi Hirst and Leah Simpson-Holland) to unlock space behind the defence, and on another day the home team could have scored 3 or 4 more.
It was a another great pass forward this time from full back Tillyanna Jackson down the right side that set Clara Brown on her way, she dribbled fantastically into the box and slotted it past the out rushing keeper to get her second of the game.
In the end it was a game the hosts should have won and they did, even though maybe not as comfortable as it should have been. Next up is a internal friendly against the U12 boys team at Shaw Wood next week.
Armthorpe kicked off their season with a tough away fixture against league newcomers Epworth Town Colts. The hosts recently moved from the Lincolnshire league and come to the league with expectations to be up near the top. These teams have met twice in non competitive action recently, with each team coming away with a win. Armthorpe have been working hard to improve the tempo at the start of games and that paid off as the visitors started off the better team creating 3 good chances early doors before a great strike from Leah Simpson-Holland put the blues ahead. Armthorpe would rue those early missed chances when Epworth equalised midway through the half, and then made it 2-1 before half time. Both teams came out fighting in the second half with chances at both ends. The game started to get stretched and Epworth took full advantage with 3 goals in a 10 minute spell of which knocked the confidence out of the girls in blue. The Wellie did pull a goal back with a great play of football which fell to Libbie to provide the assist for Clara Brown to slot home. It was too little too late as Epworth added a final goal close to the whistle and the game finished with victory for the home team.
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