Rayleigh Harriers v Fire Hawks

Firehawks vs Rayleigh, Chichester Playing Fields, Wickford, 28/11/2021
Attendance: 35
Weather: Sunny, bitterly cold breeze!
*Lola
The Firehawks headed into todays match full of confidence after last weekend’s fine performance. They were greeted by a street-wise Rayleigh team, who swapped ends at the start of the match, meaning the Firehawks were playing with the wind and down the slope for the first half of the game. This was obviously going to mean a tough second half was in store for the girls.
The Firehawks controlled possession and applied early pressure but has nothing to show for it. Rayleigh started to get themselves into the game, but they were met by a defiant Freya and Maddison in the defence. Lola was called into action in goal and made a good save from distance. The Firehawks still continued to find themselves attacking but they were confronted by most of the Rayleigh players sat in behind the ball. When they did find there way past the defence, luck and composure just didn’t seem to be with the girls.
The Rayleigh ‘Sam Allardyce’ style of football eventually paid of for them, when their striker was able to fire a shot into the bottom right corner. 1-0 to Rayleigh. The Firehawks nearly responded straight from the kick-off, with Isla’s run and shot resulting in a corner. This put them in the right frame of mind and saw Freya’s cross find Fearne, who was unable to find the back of the net. The Firehawks continued to up the pressure and manager, Jon, could be heard showing his approval at his sides ‘intense and quick’ football. The Firehawks looked dangerous when they had a corner, with the ball often landing in within yards of the goal but, again, they just couldn’t find the equaliser.
Selina and Annabel were then introduced to the game, with Selina quickly called into action and displaying her composure and defiance in defence. Maddison’s form from last week continued and a determined and skilful run didn’t result in a deserved goal unfortunately. Isla started a run from the halfway line where she was tripped from behind, but her low centre of gravity kept her on her feet and she made her way into the box with the ref having played a good advantage. Prior to shooting wide, she may well have had another ankle clipping that disrupted her momentum(you’d think her dad had written this, but VAR would have proven him right(maybe)) Lola made another good save from distance. Gracie and Abbie then replaced Isla and Fearne, and Abbie was very quickly back into the action, forcing the Rayleigh keeper into a good save, and very soon afterwards Lola was doing the same in the Firehawks goal, ably supported by Freya who helped to clear the danger. Towards the end of the half, Freya(this weeks Ronaldo) made a great run down the right before playing a fantastic ball into the box. Playing downhill is often an advantage, unfortunately on this occasion it meant the ball just kept rolling and Annabel just couldn’t get onto the end of it.
Firehawks went into the break 1 goal behind.
The second half saw the Firehawks playing up the hill and Maddison wearing the goalkeeping kit. An early run from Isla, where the ref played another advantage after a trip, saw her shot blocked and another Firehawks corner earned. Abbie sent in a whizzpopper of a corner that baffled the Rayleigh defenders. Lola’s late run into the box saw her in the perfect position to fire it into the back of the net and make it 1 each with all to play for.
The game opened up after the leveller with the Firehawks looking very likely to score the next goal, unfortunately, Rayleigh’s lone striker found the ball at her feet and fired off a powerful strike from outside the box to make it 2-1 to the home team. The Firehawks continued to press forward and apply the pressure on the Rayleigh Girls. A 10-year-old spectator commented on numerous occasions that Rayleigh had ‘parked the bus’ all game, and it’s very difficult to disagree. This definitely made it difficult for the Firehawks when they did get into the box and may well have affected the composure they usually show in those situations. Nevertheless, the Firehawks continued to push forward with every ounce of effort they had, playing very attractive football, as they had done all game, with Fearne and Selina both taking a turn in goal and showing their versatility and calmness, leaving Gracie to dance through the midfield. The last 5 minutes was nerve wracking with wave after wave of Firehawks attack. Despite it looking like an equaliser was imminent, it just wasn’t the girls day and with a little bit of luck thrown in it could have been a completely different result.
Despite the score line, the girls certainly can’t be disappointed with their performance. They played fantastic football, displaying their passing as a team, as well as some fantastic individual skill and they never gave up. The Firehawks were the better footballing team, playing against a team who were very physical and had a very direct style of play in difficult conditions. If the result was just on footballing ability and style of play, then the Firewalks would have bagged themselves 3 easy points, unfortunately this is not the case but I’m sure that the girls have all learned a thing or 2 from todays experience and it will stand them in good stead in future battles. No matter what the score, you only need to think back to the pre-season tournament at the same ground just a few months ago. Compare that to the consistent performances the team put in week after week and you can’t help but see the difference and smile. The hard work that Jon and Andy put in with the girls has a large part to play in that. Jon has earned himself a week off, where I’ve made him promise not to talk about todays match and what could have been(good luck Charlie!!!)
Player of the Match: Isla