Pre-Season Friendly - Cambridge United WFC v Solihull LFC

  A change of pace on the Supporting Women's Football Blog this Sunday the FAWSL season may well be in full swing, but elsewhere across the country the winter 2016/17 leagues are preparing for a new season, from county level all the way up to the FA Women's Premier League (FAWPL) with plenty of friendly matches being played this weekend and it is to one of these I headed this Sunday to watch Cambridge United WFC play Solihull Ladies FC.

  Regular readers of the blog will know I'm always trying to see as many different women's football teams play as possible and although I follow Cambridge United WFC more than any other side, they were playing a side from another FAWPL Division One this afternoon. There are 4, Division One Leagues feeding into the FAWPL Northern and Southern Leagues above. Along with the Northern and South West Division One Leagues, Cambridge United WFC play in FAWPL South East Division One whilst Solihull Ladies FC ply their trade in the FAWPL Midlands Division One.

  An interesting match up on paper and intriguing to see how two sides playing at the same level of football albeit in different leagues will match up. Comparable records last season with Cambridge United WFC recording a 6th placed record 36 points tally, Solihull Ladies FC finished 4th in their league with 35 points.

  Pre-season friendlies are about building fitness levels and match sharpness, trying out new players and new formations and styles of play. Players getting used to each other, breaking in new boots and kit. 

  For Cambridge United WFC this was also their 1st game at their new home for the 2016/17. Will be playing their football at Mildenhall Town FC. Played a game there last season. Have moved a little closer to me too. A nice little stadium that boasts an excellent playing surface very well maintained. The pitch is a good size with a slope that varies in gradient depending on where you happen to be standing. A small seated and covered stand and covered standing area either side of the clubhouse which holds a bar and refreshments. Is in a prime location being in the heart of the town centre itself very close to the main shopping area, rare for a football ground these days and Cambridge United WFC are hoping to find new support from the town and the surrounding area over the season.

   One to the game itself, not my regular in depth match report today, a pre-season friendly the format can vary roll on roll off substitutes and clubs trialing new players etc, so a match summary instead...

   The game to be played in 3, 30 minutes 'halves' it is the visitors Solihull Ladies FC who travel up to Suffolk for there 1st pre-season friendly to get the 1st period underway. Wearing an all red kit have 9 players making their debuts for the side with just a couple more available on the bench. Cambridge United WFC have several new faces in their starting line up too with others stepping up from the reserve side, several 1st team players absent. A chance for others to impress the management team.

   Up the slope in the 1st period Cambridge go forwards the outlet the pacy Laura Mills out wide right looks to lift the ball into new signing Nicole Perschky inside the box, Solihull defend intercept the ball runs back to Mills her 2nd ball lifted into the box is caught by goalkeeper Sarah Parks. Solihull too are finding some joy down the right flank getting the ball deep squaring the cross into the box just can't pick out an attacker the Cambridge defence winning the ball.

   A good tempo to the match played under a bright sunny sky, the pitch having been watered before the game. Cambridge with more progress up the right win a corner the ball returned to the taker is fired along the face of the area the shot from outside the box over the crossbar. Solihull working the ball down the right flash a shot over the bar themselves. Parks gets down quickly to stop a low Mills shot from the right as she is played into the box, they take the lead from the next attack Mills the scorer as she get's free on the right takes on the shot from the top corner of the box sending the ball across goal into the top left corner 1-0. The brighter side in the opening period of the game Cambridge have the lead as the referee brings it to an end.

Laura Mills on the ball for Cambridge opens the scoring

  Chance for both management teams to put their observations across. Cambridge now attacking down the slope get the 2nd 30 minute period underway, rotating players and early strike hit on the half volley outside the box goes wide. Solihull get themselves back on level terms early on working the ball up the left side of the pitch is fed into their attacker inside the box, closed down the ball isn't cleared comes back to Samantha White one of those making her debut today right on the corner of the area takes on the strike hitting it low and hard towards the near post is past the diving Verity Crook and in 1-1. Solihull put the bar over the crossbar from a free kick 25 yards out from goal.

Samantha White scores the goal to make it 1-1 for Solihull Ladies FC

  Solihull are performing much better in the 2nd period keeping a solid shape and not letting Cambridge in behind as much as they were in the opening period. Mills always a threat out wide does find a way past flashes a cross along the six yard box Perschky racing in far post turns the ball wide of goal. More end to end action during this period. Parks produces a top class save to deny Mills as she strikes from distance right side outside the box arrowing for the top corner Parks turns it around the post for a corner kick. 

  60 minutes played the score level at 1-1 a good workout for both sides so far, a coin toss to decide who'll take kick off in the final 30 minute period. Cambridge take it going up the slope once more. Becky Taylor having com on during the 2nd period has an early chance as she heads a Mills cross wide at the far post. Isn't long after before Taylor gets on the score sheet to give Cambridge the lead Mills with the through ball central on halfway as Cambridge counter Taylor is through on goal bearing down on the area, Parks comes out to meet her Taylor strikes early sending the ball past her and into the back of the net 2-1.

   Solihull are starting to tire their 1st pre-season friendly, Cambridge starting to apply more pressure getting bodies up and around the area as the visitors struggle to get the ball clear it rolls favourably into Gemma Croucher central outside the box sends a looping shot back in unlucky not to score as the ball rebounds off the crossbar. Parks is called into action on a couple of occasions to hold onto shots, the home side pushing late on for another goal get it Taylor on the score sheet again played in from the left into the area the pass provided by Mills shoots sending the ball across the keeper and in 3-1.

   The final score Cambridge run out 3-1 over Solihull 3 contrasting periods to the game, Cambridge starting the much better, Solihull regrouping and winning the 2nd period, tiring visibly at the end Cambridge with a little more football under their belts took advantage to seal the win. A good workout from both sides as they build for a new season. 

  Enjoyed the game, my thanks to Sarah Westwood, 1st team manager for Solihull for her assistance today will keep a look out for their results and best of luck for the coming season. Good to catch up with Cambridge United WFC too, won't be long before I'm back at Mildenhall Town FC. The FAWPL season begins on Sunday 21st August.