New Year - Match Report Alysham Ladies v Attleborough Ladies

  Let's start the new year with some match action been a long Christmas period without a game, that said I hope all players, coaches, volenteers and supporters of the game had an enjoyable time. The weather was going to be the biggest enemy to me getting to see a game this weekend and with the terrible rain we've had up and down the country it was going to be a certainty that plenty of games were going to get called off and planning would have to involve several contingency options thus I had a list of possible games to go and attend.
    Wanted to start the year off with a local Norfolk league fixture however and thankfully the game I wanted to see survived the Norfolk Division One game between Alysham Ladies FC and Attleborough Ladies. Taking place at the Alysham Recreation Ground it was clear to see why this game might survive the weather the pitch being marked out up sloping ground it is most certainly not the flatest pitch out there nonetheless we had a game on.
    Alysham Ladies were comfortably in mid table in the league going into the match having played 8 W4, D1, L3. It was a different story however for Attleborough Ladies who were bottom of the table having played 7 and lost 7. The home side lining up in orange shirts and socks with blue shorts were playing up the slope in the 1st half Attleborough were kitted out in a claret strip with sky blue trim.
   Knowing the stats leading up to the game it is sometimes a case of wondering how long a team that has been struggling can hold out... the longer the better you would hope. Alysham started the stronger had a couple of half chances as Attleborough struggled to get the ball to their fowards. The early goal came from a corner a scramble from a ball flashed across the box was poked home to make it 1-0. After that the 1st half was a lively encounter Alysham had more chances but shots were wide of the post and Attleborough's keeper was quick off her line to gather when needed.
     When Attleborough did break they were reluctant to do so in great numbers meaning Alysham could close down any danger. As the half wore on though Attleborough were getting bolder sprang the offside trap a couple of times and with better finishing could have easily gotten level. Breaking in numbers though left the visitors short at the back and Alysham countered well just before half time to score a 2nd then 3rd goal and have a strong lead to take into the 2nd half.
     Attleborough could have done with an early goal their striker had a chance but an Alysham defender and the on rushing keeper did enough to force the shot wide. After that Aylsham really started to push Attleborough back a cross from the left hand side found the head of their attacker unmarked and it was 4-0. The 5th goal came direct from a free kick 20 yards out that was struck very well past the keeper. A 6th came 10 mins later this time Alysham beating the off side flag and the striker getting the ball over the charging keeper.
    The last and 7th Aylsham goal came as their attacker pulled off the shoulder of the last defender moved the ball between her feet to create a better angle and slid it behind the keeper into the net. A comfortable win from the home side to see them move up the table. Attleborough remain bottom but can take heart from the chances they created in the 1st half.