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18th January 2009 - Sharnbrook vs Hoddesdon
An important game faced the home side; who haven't played for many weeks, due to true British weather! A good line up gave confidence to the squad, and just 5 minutes into the game Emma Butler netted her first goal of the match. The ball taken from the defence by Rachel Blair and crossed the goal mouth allowed an easy lead for Sharnbrook. Just 10 minutes later and celebrations were shared once again with Butler's second; a long throw by Anna Heaton, a cheeky little flick from Sarina Gill to Blair who once again set up a goal for Butler to slip in across the goal.
Beford half time was upon us Hoddesdon managed to find a gap in Sharnbrook's defence, as the home team slipped in energy and appeared more than ready for the half time rest; ultimately Hoddesdon scored their first, but the home team went into the second half with a one goal advantage.
Shouts of encouragement from the sideline were given by home fans to spur the team on and provide motivation. Although Sharnbrook had taken many corner's with potential opportunities to score the only goal from a corner came during the 80th minute when Heaton slipped an easy left foot from a corner by Ruth Derrick. Facing away from the goal watching debutant Vicki Corp as she moved, Heaton wrong footed the defence, turned and ran towards the ball to slot it in the back of the net. 3 vital points in the bag!!
Final Score: Sharnbrook 3 Hoddesdon 1
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30th November 2008 - Sharnbrook vs Royston Town
Sharnbrook held the away team well from 4 minutes, with confidence high and everyone moving about as much as possible to ensure they kept warm, on what was a very cold afternoon in Sharnbrook! The ball being played around by both teams, but with the home team dominating for the majority of the 1st half, allowing no goals to be conceded.
A positive team talk during half time, and a quick chance to attempt to warm up a little before going out to defend hard to retain the lead. But, at 70 minutes came Royston's first goal, and their next two in the final minutes of the game leaving the home team with head's low, and feeling frustrated that luck wasn’t on side with all key decisions during the game going the visitor’s way! The result does not reflect Sharnbrook's good performance, once again.
Final Score: Sharnbrook 1 Royston Town 3
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16th November 2008 - Sharnbrook vs Luton Town Reserves
A cup match, and a strong team once again was fielded...but with a difference in formation and playing positions for a number of the team, with captain and striker Butler taking a centre defence role and Spalding making up a double striking team with. A fantastic performance by the home team was just not enough to see away the Luton Reserves!
Town's first attempt came only minutes after kick off but was saved by Shelley Sharman, who gave a great performance all game; showing immense confidence to approach the ball and prevent Luton from not coming away with a double figure of goals. Luton dominated the sore card at 22 minutes, but Sharnbook did not let this affect them and the battle continued. Some successful passes by Sharnbrook did not lead to any goals, but more goals came from the visitors at 33 minutes, and just before half time at 45 minutes. As the whistle for the remaining 45 minutes, Town continued to pressure Brook and eventually broke through to score at 54 and 88 minutes.
Sharnbrook gave their best performance, and held a team, who possibly came to this ground, expecting more. Possession of the ball was not dominated by one particular team- possibly much to the annoyance of the Luton Ladies, but it was clear Luton were a step ahead of the game, by showing they could read their team mates moves more effectively than Sharnbrook. But some great opportunities came from Blair, Spalding and Heaton but did not reach the back of the net. The chances came from great linking balls between the midfielders; Gill, Derrick, Shreeve and Blair, to pass through to the strikers.
Due to the events the league Sharnbrook are in, it now allows them to be focused on regaining their rightful place in the Southern Eastern League (not the bottom!!!)
Final Score: Sharnbrook 0 Luton Town Reserves 5
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2nd November 2008 - Sharnbrook vs Brentwood Town
Imagine if you will a cold, wet Sunday early November. A muddy field, set out ready for a football match to take place. An event not to be missed!
The important talk coming from Manager Andrew Sharman, as the home team wait nervously in the warm changing rooms to find out who is in the starting line up, and what tactics are going to be placed upon the team. After making their way onto the pitch, and captain's coming together, the whistle blows for the beginning of the match and both teams are gunning for the golden result of a win. The home team knowing Brentwood are near the top of the league with strong results behind them; but this was no put off for Sharnbrook. End to end football, with both the team in red and the team in blue taking opportunities to fire the ball past the goalkeepers but to no avail. It was a long battle and the first goal came at 42 minutes by Brentwood, after it deflected off a Sharnbrook player, own goal given.
The goal did not see heads drop by the home team who still had a win on their minds! The teams walked off the pitch just wanting to get carry on with the game to be able to grab the 3 points for a win, but the time out was well deserved after a long hard first half. A fighting, positive team talk was given by manager Sharman, with a number of additional words of advice from Captain Butler.
An effective interception by Rachel Blair eventually led to the goalkeeper being wrong footed, and a goal during the 52nd minute to make the score even once again. Keep the images of both teams with their heads up, and still knowing a win might be theirs.
With the home side knowing about the effective corners that Brentwood can execute, Sharnbrook had managed to not put themselves in that set play situation for 70 minutes. Only to find that the away team were to score twice, non the less, from corners during the 70th and 73rd minutes. This was the loss for the home team, who gained a lot from the game and were very unlucky to loose this game after it being evenly matched for the majority of the time.
Final Score: Sharnbrook 1 Brentwood 3
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19th October 2008 - Arlesey Town vs Sharnbrook
Black Sunday. Sharnbrook succumb to their heaviest defeat of the season away at ArleseyTown.
It was only a matter of time before the credit crunch hit Sharnbrook. The team was informed minutes before kickoff about the dire financial state of the club, and the possibility of nationalisation. The threat of the clubs back room staff being replaced by some back benchers from London, headed up by Gordon Brown as head coach was just too much for the girls to handle . Manager Andrew Sharman, uncertain about his future with the club said, “I’m uncertain about my future with the club”. This couldn’t have come at a worse time as just days before the clubs mascot, Barry the badger was tragically killed after his half time entertainment rehearsal went Horribly wrong due to an electrical fault with his Bontempi organ ………..
It’s easy to point the blame at something or someone else, but the truth is Sharnbrook were out classed by a well organised and disciplined Arlesey Team. Despite a much improved second half Sharnbrook could not contain rampant Arlesey, nor hit the back of the net.
Final Score: Arlesey Town 10 Sharnbrook 0
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12th October 2008 - Cambridge City Res vs Sharnbrook
The next round in the league cup saw Sharnbrook travelling to battle against Cambridge City Reserves; with the visitors knowing there was every chance it was possible to come away with a win. However, Cambridge went in hard and looked like they wanted the win more than Sharnbrook! With Sharnbrook trying a new formation nothing came about from strikers, even though it was a strong line up.
The majority of the first half was to be played in the Cambridge half, and Sharnbrook having to play defensively to hold off any goals. Finally Brook had chances to break through and attack at goal with effective crosses coming in from Butler, but unfortunately non were taken further for the lead.
Cambridge controlled the ball into the box towards Sharnbrook goalkeeper Jo McLennan. As McLennan went down to retrieve the ball from the player, the referee called a penalty just 5 minutes into the game!!! The spot kick was taken, directly at towards the centre of the goal, and the score remained 0-0. Only 5 minutes later Cambridge scored during play, and Brook made every attempt to reply but did not. A reasonable time into the 1st half Cambridge went 2-0 up, wrong footing the Brook goalie at 38minutes. Just 2 minutes later some skilful play in midfield from Sarnia Gill allowed a clear ball through defence for Butler to run onto and push the score up to 2-1. Sharnbrook back in the game but Cambridge, were hot footed and celebrated another goal to increase the lead at 41 minutes. But, Rachel Blair showed immense commitment to get the team confident, by scoring just one minute later to make the score 3-2 at half time.
A tough team talk for all players was led by both manager and captain. Mandy Shreeve made her appearance in position at right wing. Making a noticeable difference from the offset, Shreeve had many opportunities to drive the ball forwards, but non were met by the strikers for a goal. The next goal came to trailing team Sharnbrook at 52 minutes to even up the score to 3-3; Blair receiving a ball from midfield player Handscomb. With the thought of extra-time, Sharnbrook knew they had to grab another goal from somewhere, and the opportunities were coming with the midfield linking well with strikers and defenders holding well together. The 75th minute arrived and a free kick was given 20 yards out. Hanscomb lined herself up and made the attempt... top right hand corner... Sharnbrook lead 4-3. Success was ours (along with the unnecesary struggles and pains)... through to the next round!
Final Score: Cambridge City Res 3 Sharnbrook 4
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28th September 2008 - Billericay vs Sharnbrook
Another hot day as Sharnbrook prepared themselves to take on the team placed at the top of league. A good team talk started Brook's game, and once play began Billericay attacked right from the word go! However, the score remained 0-0 for three quarters of the first half, even though Billericay pressed on the attack. Some great saves by goalkeeper Sian Davies, and effective defending tactics by all the team held Billericay's strikers back, allowing no balls to cross the line.
Then first goal came against Sharnbrook in the 26th minute, but heads did not drop and words of encouragement came from the sideline and on pitch from captain Emma Butler. But, only a few minutes passed as Billericay shot through the defence once again finding the back of the net. Before the end of the first half Billericay found the goal another 4 times; even though this was the case, a new found team confidence did not affect Sharnbrook as would be expected. A substitution was made; Jo McLennan in goal and Davies to execute skills on pitch. Making an early impression, Davies broke through with first class control, for Blair to give the Billericay goalkeeper something to stress about as the score reached 4-1... but it was 6-1 before half time. Although the game was very much against the visitors; manager, Andrew Sharman, and captain Butler, gave promising words to once again lift heads, and to give the team encouragement.
Getting stuck in from the first touch, Sharnbrook made every effort to hold the leading team at bay. But Billericay once again played the ball through the Sharnbrook midfield and defence, for their striker to plant her foot through the ball and celebrate another goal. As the end of the match neared energy levels began to decrease. But Billericay continued to make attempts to shoot, Sharnbrook replying with numerous effective defensive tactics and a few attacking chances. Through this struggle the home team scored one more before the final whistle.
As full time drew closer, an attacking opportunity for Sharnbrook was snatched as Anna Heaton made the run from the left wing to the right, to play a square the ball into the box, finding only the goalkeeper. Sarina Gill followed up, forcing pressure on the goalie who fumbled the ball, and the midfielder, Gill, played the it into the goal during the 80th minute. The final score finishing 8-2, but this was no representative to the final 25 minutes of the game, from the Brook's perspective, as each member increased their play level; but this was too little too late. A tough match overall, but Sharnbrook have come away with 2 more goals on their tally, and hold their position in mid table.
Final Score: Billericay 8 Sharnbrook 2
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21st September 2008 - Sharnbrook vs Kings Sports
Sharnbrook went out to this game confident for a win, but everyone knew it would be a hard game in the heat. Getting stuck in from the whistle allowed Sharnbrook to take the early lead with just 2 minutes on the clock, as skipper, Emma Butler found the back of the net. Coming from a ball passed by Anna Heaton down the line for Rachel Blair to run onto, and draw the goalkeeper from her line. Great ball across to Butler to see the home side put early pressure on visiting Kingsports.
Sharnbrook continued to apply the pressure- with numerous attempts on target- until the 30th minute when communication broke down, and the pace that had built up, slowed. Kingsports took their chances, and shots at goal were taken, but to no avail, as Sian Davies held her position in goal and the defensive line stayed strong.
The second half began with no changes to the line up. Every Sharnbrook player knew we had to go out, hold our position, and put every effort in to steal another goal. With Emily Hanscomb showing her skill in midfield chances were taken, but non-reaching the back of the net. Once again picking up the pace of the game, During the 78th minute Butler snatched her chance in the midfield to make a pass through Kingsports defence for Blair to control at her feet; run towards goal; once again drawing the goalkeeper out. Blair remained calm, leading the ball around her opposition to find the back of the net. A good game in which the home team continued to attack for the majority of the time, and ultimately came out on top.
Final Score: Sharnbrook 2 Kings Sports 0
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14th September 2008 - AFC Kempston vs Sharnbrook
The game got off to a lively start with action at both ends of the pitch, and with 5 minutes gone Sharnbrook took the lead through an own goal. A well worked corner from Helen Spalding and Emma Butler was met by the head of an AFC Kempston defender and put into the net. The game continued in the same fashion with Kempston coming close but having two goals disallowed due to offside. Eventually after 40 minutes Kempston equalized through a lobbed shot from distance which caught Jo McLennan off her line leaving the score all square at half time.
The second half saw changes to both sides in an attempt to seek a win, after which a midfield battle ensued. Kempston broke the stalemate and capitalized on a defensive error to score in the 66th minute; the ball was snatched from the Sharnbrook defender who was under pressure on the edge of the box, the ball was crossed to the attacker who looked to be in an offside position, who tapped in at close range. The linesman had flagged for offside but was over ruled by the referee. Sharnbrook’s attitude was 1st class and they battled to get back in the game. With 15 minutes left a tactical change in the formation was made which had an instant affect. Emily Hanscomb’s headed ball from midfield fell to the feet of Emma butler who steadied herself before shooting across the Kempston keeper into the bottom left hand corner. 5 minutes later Sharnbrook where back in the lead. Substitute Rachel Blair’s shot went in off the post after she pounced on the Kempston keepers failed attempt to catch the ball. Sharnbrook spent the last 5 minutes plus injury time on the back foot as Kempston looked to equalize, but failed.
Final Score: AFC Kempston 2 Sharnbrook 3
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7th September 2008 - Kings Sports vs Sharnbrook
A great all round team performance gave Sharnbrook there first three points of the season with an away win at Kings Sports.
Little could separate the teams within the first 20 minutes. Kings came close to scoring after a goal mouth scramble, which was eventually cleared. As the game progressed Sharnbrook looked the more likely to score and did so on the 22nd minute. Emma Butler received the ball on the edge the box and drilled her shot low and hard into the bottom left hand corner. Some nice football followed which led to Sharnbrook’s 2nd. Sian Davies vision enable her to pin point her cross into the path of Helen Spalding, who one on one with the keeper slotted home. Minutes later came the 3rd. Ruth Derrick surged through the middle of the park, saw an opening and fired her shot across the keeper into the net.
The second half saw kings apply the pressure, with wave on wave of attack, testing every inch of the Sharnbrook defence. This however left Kings vulnerable and enabled the visitors to counter. Butler came close after her header went inches past the up right, and Anna Heaton’s shot from distance hit the underside of the cross bar, but failed to cross the line. On the 78th Minute Davies broke the deadlock. She received the ball from butler and lobed the keeper with her left foot. A well deserved goal for Sian. And the icing on the cake in a hard thought game.
Final Score: Kings Sports 0 Sharnbrook 4
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31st August 2008 - Royston Town vs Sharnbrook
This was probably the toughest fixture Sharnbrook could have wished for as there first game of the season, with relegated Royston looking to make there mark on divsion one south, as they attempt to bounce straight back up to the premier league.
The first half ended goalless. Royston had more than there fair share of chances to take the lead but resolute defending from Sharnbrook & goal keeper Jo Mclennan kept the home side at bay. Unfortunately the deadlock was broken within 10 minutes of the restart. Sharnbrook’s defence was stretched and Royston took advantage scoring twice within minutes, this inturn knocked the wind out of the visitors, who had worked hard to keep the score level. Confidence started to flow through the home side and they extend there lead in the 62nd Minute. Sharnbrook thought back and came close but it wasn’t to be there day. Royston’s 4th goal was a peach, perfectly placed in the top right hand corner leaving replacement keeper Shelley Sharman helpless.
FinalScore: RoystonTown 4 Sharnbrook 0 |
