Boom - ladies back on track

A wet and windy Saturday afternoon at Salisbury didn’t dampen our spirits. Marlborough started strong and dominated possession. Switching the ball around the back we were keen to use the wide channels and throw the ball into space. our efforts paid off. Annabelle Ashley fed a line ball down the right to Tess Christmas who dribbled into the D forcing the keeper to kick straight off the back line and a short corner was given. A straight strike from Anna Scott was effortlessly deflected on the reverse by Emily Carter-Davies into the far corner. GOAL. Keen to keep up the momentum we were awarded another short corner shortly after the restart. Another powerful strike from Anna Scott smashed against the backboard but was disallowed for being too high as it crossed the line. We continued to press and won 6 short corners in the next 10 minutes, but despite getting a shot on target with every one, the Salisbury defence stood strong and we were unable to break through. In the final 10 minutes of the half Salisbury upped their tempo and the pendulum seemed to swing. A break through the middle caught Alice Thompson on the wrong side and she was penalised for a hand on the back of her player in the D. Salisbury were awarded a short corner and Alice green carded. Down to 10 men, salisbury capitalised on the advantage and continued to press. Calm and controlled defending with fantastic tackles from Amy Davidson , Annabel Ashley and Emily Carter-Davies kept Salisbury at bay and despite them winning a further short corner they were unable to score, hitting it straight over the cross bar. One final attack saw Catherine Manley feed through a perfectly weighted ball to Tess Christmas who faced the keeper 1 on 1. A great save and clearance, we were glad of the half time whistle.

The second half saw Salisbury come out fighting, with Marlborough struggling to gain back possession. Preferring the right, they passed the ball around well and penetrated our D time and time again. A great double save by Vicky Moxham kept us in the game with only a 1-0 lead Marlborough’s nerves were showing. Sophie Fynn controlled the middle and her distribution was invaluable to keeping our heads up and regaining our confidence. Anna Strover made some cutting runs which opened up the Salisbury defence and forced a foul. Salisbury were slow to react and Neve Beer took a quick ball out on the right. Driving into the D and along the back line she slipped it back to Sophie Fynn on the P spot who swept it in to make it 0-2. GOAL. Despite a second Marlborough goal, Salisbury continued to press in search of a consolation goal and maintained possession for the remaining few minutes but were unable to convert their chances.
Marlborough News Online Man of the match was awarded to Emily Carter-Davies immensely strong in defence and for her first goal of the season.