After a problematic loss away the previous week the team was keen to win against quality opponents. For the first six minutes Garstang were on the attack but made no shots until Ali O’Donnell hit the keeper’s pads hard after nine minutes. Timperley got going and an end-to-end game ensued with Garstang the stronger on the break. Ali made a good break and put Keiry Horne one on one with the Timperley keeper but her shot went wide. Ali also shot wide and two minutes later got a cross just out of Gemma Trickett’s reach in front of the goal. Livy Cottam;- playing back in defence, rather than up front made some impressive fast breaks and after eighteen minutes gave Keiry another chance with a raised pass – again no luck! Timperley came back and on twenty minutes and won a corner but Livy cleared the ball with a super full-length dive. Timperley hit some dangerous raised balls hitting two Garstang players and the umpires stopped the game to call for caution. After thirty minutes Garstang at last scored when Ali fed Keiry on the right post for her to score across the keeper. The half ended with Garstang defending two repeated corners really well.;- including a great diving stick save by keeper Sarah Hart and holding on to their 1-0 lead.

Garstang started the second half on the attack down their right wing with Mel Gee and Scarlett Knight making some great runs to supply balls across the D. Gemma Trickett made a tremendous diving attempt to deflect the ball home but did not get contact. After seven minutes however Gemma got the ball to Ali O’Donnell for her to score past the keeper on the post making it 2-0. The game became scrappy as players tired and a Garstang player got a card and a short rest. Timperley made some strong attacks drawing some skilful defensive work by Livy Cottam and Donna Richardson. They continued to press hard and won a corner. The Garstang Keeper Sarah Hart made a good foot save in the aftermath. The last five minutes saw Timperley win a repeated corner and a corner with another good foot by Sarah and a good deflection of a shot by Rosie Atkinson.

This was a good win by Garstang;- despite at times, some over anxious play against good opposition.

Author + Photographer : Charles Jackman