Post by Dave on Feb 5, 2023 18:53:46 GMT
Match Referee Mark Gill
Final Score Paignton Villa Woman 2 Signal Box Oak Villa Ladies 3
I am a firm believer that football should be for everyone regardless of sex age or ability. So many sports in the past were just men only sports, but times have changed along with peoples attitudes.
As far as football goes you will still find some who feel football should just be a mans game, but I am not one of them. Anyone who puts on a pair of football boots can dream that one day they will be playing at the highest level. While for most it will only ever be a dream, it does no harm and in so many cases help to make them the best player they can be.
You only need to look at the England Ladies team and all that they have achieved, inspiration for every single lady and girl who pulls on their football boots.
But football is much more than having any dreams, it is about being a part of a team, winning and losing as one and the friendships and bonds that are formed. Sticking together and overcoming all those defeats, while learning and improving along the way.
That very much is the case for the new this season Paignton Villa Woman’s team who are still looking for their first win. They have not let results get them down, they have not thrown in the towel and instead they have learnt from every game and look forward to the next one. They are already a better side than the one I watched in their first ever preseason game, they will keep going and their first win will finally come.
That may not be to day against Signal Box Oak Villa Ladies, a team that has already beaten them by four goals to nil this season. A team that knows that winning feeling wining four of the eight games they have played so far.
But the Villa woman will try their very best and put everything they have got into the game and will play with a smile on their faces. That is what proper football is all about and the reason I love the game so much at grass roots level.
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Match Report
I left Whiterock after the game wondering why the Villa Ladies had not won their very first match. The wonderful progress they have made since I last watched them play blew me away. They had enough chances during the game to claim all three points, especially in the first half. The only thing missing from their game today was enough composure in front of goal.
Sam Gill blew up for the start of the match and it was all action from the very start. Villa’s number 10 made a great run down the left hand side of the pitch and cut into the opposition box. Sadly her shot on goal lacked any real power and was easily caught by the Oak Villa keeper.
Shortly after this the Villa defence was caught sleeping and were split apart by a simple through ball. Oak’s number 12 ran beyond them and with just the keeper to beat fired the ball home. I wondered how the Villa Ladies would respond to going behind so early in the game.
Oak’s had the next chance when their number 8 hit a good shot from the edge of the Villa box that only just cleared the crossbar.
Villa then had a golden chance to get back onto level terms. A low ball was fired into the Oak’s box from the right hand side. Villa’s number 10 just needed to hit the ball first time and would have scored. But she let the ball run past her and as a result the angle became to tight and her shot on goal hit the side netting.
It was end to end football; Oak’s number 9 hit a shot from just inside the Villa box that went wide of the right hand post. Villa’s 14 hit a shot from just outside the box that went over the crossbar. Then from inside the Oak’s box number 17 hit a shot just wide of the left hand post.
Villa then got the goal their play deserved. A ball pumped up to the edge of the Oak’s box to number 17, she turned nearly and hit a shot high into the net. Villa’s 18 then went on a very strong run and took the ball into the Oak’s box. Very close in she hit her shot straight at the keeper; either side and it would have hit the back of the net.
That was it for the first half, honours still even but with a bit better finishing Villa could have been in front. The second half got under way and the first chance fell to Villa’s number 6. She took a shot from the edge of the box that went wide of the right hand post.
Villa then fell behind again when Oak’s number 8 found the back of the net, but the Oak’s lead did not last very long. A great ball played in Villa’s number 17 who was so strong on the ball. She picked her spot and you knew the ball was going to hit the back of the net the second her foot made contact with the ball.
Villa’s 18 was played into the Oak’s box and somehow managed to hook her shot over the crossbar, were Villa going to find the winning goal?
Sadly not as Oak’s took the lead again, it was the goal of the match and well worthy of winning it. The ball was fired back to the edge of the Villa box to number 7 who hit a first time powerful low shot just inside the left hand post.
Villa did not give up but time was running out. They won a free kick just outside the right hand side of the Oak’s box. The ball was fired at goal and the Oak’s keeper did well to push the ball over her crossbar.
Sam Gill blew up for the end of the game, Villa came so close but on what I saw today, that first win is not very far away. Lovely to see Sam and Jas today, keep working hard ladies you are so nearly there.
