Incredible fighting spirit against unbeatable top of the table chippenham

After a great team talk in the changing room, Marlborough were ready for a big game against top of the league and unbeaten Chippenham.

Marlborough started hard and with good passes by Sophie Fynn, Jess Davis and Beth Palfrey, but Chippenham settled and started dominating the middle of the pitch making strong attacks into the Marlborough D. Marlborough held on, even with the increasing pressure on their goal, trying to move the ball away from danger. Defenders Anna Scott, Emily Carter-Davies, Amy Davidson and Annabel Ashely were ensuring crucial timed tackles and interceptions to reduce as many shots on goal as possible. After a few near misses from Chippenham and loads of excellent saves from goalkeeper Vicky Moxham, Chippenham were rewarded a short corner. After a couple of well defended corners, Chippenham slipped the ball this way and that and then finally scored. Chippenham then really turned up the gas, and they were soon rewarded with another short corner and another top end goal was scored, making the score 0-2. Marlborough were still fighting and there was some excellent passing up to the forwards Bella Busby, Neve Beer, Milly Dawson and Tess Christmas who were putting attempts and pressure on the Chippenham defence. Despite all the efforts in the last 10 minutes, Chippenham scored another excellent goal and at half time Marlborough were 0-3 down.
Marlborough knew they were playing really well and where they had to mark Chippenham hard. The second half started, and Marlborough were determined to bring themselves back in the game. The game was now a lot tighter with Marlborough plugging the gaps that Chippenham had exploited in the first half, with great passing and runs from defence to midfield and up to the forwards; Marlborough started spending more time in the Chippenham’s half. Marlborough were awarded short corners, but just couldn't get the ball in the back of the net. Chippenham kept up the pressure on the Marlborough, and the defence were solid and goalkeeper Moxham on fire with her saves. Unfortunately, Chippenham saw an opening and squeezed a difficult placed ball in the corner to make the score 0-4. Marlborough were not giving up, there was some excellent plays towards our attacking D, with a brilliant ball by Sophie Flynn to find Milly Dawson who ran along the baseline and passed to Catherine Manley who was perfectly placed in front of the goal to score Marlborough’s first goal, Marlborough’s efforts were finally rewarded to make the score 1/4. Marlborough were utilising on their new-found momentum, with excellent runs by Amy Davidson and Annabel down the side line, and movement by the midfield and forwards, Chippenham started to get flustered. Marlborough played higher up the pitch hungry for another cracking goal but despite their best efforts they ran out of time and the final score was 4/1 to Chippenham. Despite the loss, Marlborough were still upbeat as the determination and commitment to the final minute by the whole team was amazing, especially against a very strong side.
Vicky Moxham was awarded Marlborough News Online man of the match for her crucial and amazing saves throughout the whole game, well deserved.