County Ladies turned their attention to cup action on Sunday afternoon, as they put a difficult few weeks behind them by getting back to winning ways away at Leafield Athletic in the FA Women’s National League Plate.
Following a three-game winless run in the league, they faced a Leafield side who also compete in the fourth tier of women’s football, albeit in a different regional division. Our opponents had enjoyed a strong start to their season, with three wins from their fist four league games, providing another tough test for Steve O’Hara’s side.
The County boss gives his view on the game:
“Sunday was a welcome break from league action, coming off our heaviest defeat in two years away at AFC Fylde last time out. Turning our attention to a cup fixture gave us a chance to relax and try a few new things out, without the pressure of points on the line.
“In the build-up to the game we had spoken about getting back to basics, addressing a couple of issues that had arose from that defeat, and I have to say we were excellent on the day.
“Leafield where a bit of an unknown quantity, not being in our league although playing at the same level, so we went there with no preconceptions of their standard.
“We just wanted to be ourselves and do what we do best, and right from the start we dominated the ball and the hosts really struggled to contain us. Our passing and movement was really good, and the only thing missing from an excellent first half was a deserved goal.
“We kept the pressure up in the second half and started to really test their ‘keeper.
“Leafield really only had chances on the counter, but we got the breakthrough on 65 minutes when substitute Jess Brady made excellent progress into the box and fired past th”e ‘keeper at her near post.
“We looked comfortable and our possession was making them work. They obviously applied more pressure as the game wore on, and a couple of lapses in concentration from us allowed them to have a couple of chances, from which Lucy Farrell made a couple of good saves.
“As the 90 mins approached we got into a bit of a habit of giving away cheap free-kicks, which allowed them to put some pressure us. Then, in the 96th minute of the game, one of those paid off for the hosts. Again a needless free-kick, this time 20 yards out, was rifled into the top corner, giving Lucy no chance.
“Extra-time it was, but we just calmed everyone down and said let’s get back to keeping the ball.
“Five minutes in to the first period, Maria Figueiredo scrambled the ball in from a corner to re-establish our lead. Two minutes after the restart, Leafield had a player sent off for a second bookable offence and that meant we could really relax a bit and make them work.
“We could have had two more in extra-time, but the ‘keeper made a couple of good saves and we hit the bar late on too.
“In the end it was a comfortable win, but I would have liked a couple more goals to kill these type of teams off.
“So we now progress to the first round proper, where our opponents will be Liverpool Academy on Sunday 29th September.
“Before that, we have two important league games. First up, we’re away at Donny Belles next Sunday, before a tantalising Stockport Derby against Cheadle Stingers at home under the lights on Wednesday 25th September, which promises to be an absolute belter as Cheadle have started the season very well.
“We hope to see as many of you as possible down at Stockport Sports Village on the night to hopefully make it a fantastic derby atmosphere.”
Cover image provided by Andrew Machin.
