After two intense games this week, we arrived at St Thomas More High School a little worse for wear, but still well up for another challenge as we faced last Sunday’s opponents again, this time in the league. The sun was out and conditions were beautiful as we warmed up on the school field. It was a rare kit clash, as the home side wore green and white stripes, so it gave us an opportunity to wear our snazzy change kit.
The hosts were first to threaten with a shot fired over the crossbar, but a few minutes into the game Savannah Hart sent a long pass over the defence and Madyson Hepple brought it down wonderfully with a touch and then fired low and beyond the keeper to give us an early lead. Allotment had another couple chances on goal, with one looking like it was going in, only to bounce off the crossbar and another shot well saved by Louisa Paxton.
We were looking to add to our tally and were pushing higher up the pitch, coming close when a lovely through ball from Millie Gibson was fed to Maddy, but her shot was blocked at short range by the keeper diving in front of it. Celtic were looking fired up now and pushed back, with Louisa making another great save when the ball was crossed into the box and an opposition keeper hit it first time, triggering her cat-like reflexes to stop it going in. The shots kept coming and eventually it became too much, when Louisa had initially claimed a stray ball in a crowded box, only for an Allotment player to knock it out of her hands and over the line to make it 1-1.
Whilst the hosts were now looking in control of the game, showing nearer passing to retain possession, we still were threatening on the counter, with their keeper kept on her toes when Abbie Humphreys launched a powerful effort her way, forcing another good save. It looked like the half was going to end even, probably a fair reflection on the game so far, but Allotment scored twice in the final two minutes in what felt like a real sucker punch before the break, with both goals taking big deflections to send it past Louisa, who had otherwise had a superb showing in goal.
With barely any time to register the goals, the half time team talk had a sudden shift in tone, with an admission that the second half was going to be very difficult, as we had to overcome trailing by two against a very fit and capable side that showed no signs of going easy on us. Thankfully, this half would see us playing downhill on the uneven pitch, even if it was just wishful thinking that it would make a difference.
A rallying cry to fire up the players was almost immediately silenced, when Allotment scored a quick goal after the whistle was blown to restart the game and that mountain we had to climb now looked like Everest, with the scoreline 4-1 to the hosts. We did our best not to let heads dropped and took advantage of an understandably more relaxed opponent, having a spell of good passing and playing in their half and when we worked our way into their box, Maddy pulled it back for Francesca Brown, who struck the ball well, only for it to be well held by their keeper. The goalie then launched it forward and with the Spartans back line sitting so high, their forward punished us and went through clear on goal, finishing to make it 5-1.
Following our 3-1 victory in the FA Cup last Sunday, their manager had pointed to a lack of quality finishing as the reason for his side’s defeat, but that certainly was not an issue for them today! With a number of Blyth players carrying knocks and one eye on next Sunday’s massive game against Morpeth Town, we had to take a more pragmatic approach and focus on not aggrevating any injuries whilst still working to keep the scoreline respectable. Whilst we were now playing a bit more sensibly, Destiny Ditchburn saw the opportunity to reduce the deficit and with the Allotment keeper stood well off her line, she launched a ranged strike over her head, seeing it dip below the crossbar to make it 2-5.
The tempo of the game slowed for both sides, with Allotment themselves also nursing a few, but we continued to work hard despite the game now looking beyond us. Though defending is a team effort, Emily Rose in particular did a great job holding the line and did well to prevent anyone getting through, quickly closing the ball down and making smart decisions on the ball to play it out from the back. The hosts were still trying to add to their tally, but were limited to ranged efforts, with one on target but well held by substitute keeper Olivia Trood.
Right at the end we came close to reducing our blushes a little more, when a Blyth corner was whipped into the opposition box and Destiny got a shot away, but the keeper (who to her credit was standing in for their regular goalie who had picked up a knock) stood strong and managed to push the effort clear to safety. We were very much playing for pride at this point and pushed right up until the final whistle, but the game ended without any further goals and we fell to our first defeat of the season. Thank you to West Allotment Celtic for their hospitality following the game, the food at the Scott and Wilson was delicious and helped take away the taste of defeat in our mouths.
Today we were up against a very strong side with lots of experience at this level, so there is no shame in the result. If anything, it provides added context to just how impressive our victory against them at Croft Park was, as they still remain among the favourites to win the NFL Premiership. For us, it’s back to the training ground as we prepare ourselves for our biggest game to date. Plenty of lessons were learned today, including what improvements need to be made to become competitive at this level, but once again a performance full of character from Spartans and a great effort from everyone.
Three games in a week has been tough, but all attention now turns to the 20th of September at Croft Park
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