Old Loughts Ladies 1s - Maidstone Ladies 1s 0

November brought the first of Maidstone Ladies 1st XI’s double header weekends with Sunday’s match away at Old Loughtonians Ladies 1st XI. Although Maidstone had some tired legs following Saturday’s battle to come back from behind against Crostyx, the team had a good warm up and were looking to start the match strong as they had finished the day before. Old Loughts had a similar game plan and immediately piled on the pressure whenever Maidstone had the ball. The defence managed to soak up most of this but were struggling to string passes together playing out into the bright sunshine. As the half progressed, Maidstone began to hold onto possession a little more and some good triangular passes through the midfield and corresponding baseline runs out wide from forwards Emily Bush, Claire Weddle and Katie Gibbons allowed some success in the Old Loughts D. A resulting short corner was stuck well by joint Player of the Match Rachael Ferguson but saved by the opposing keeper. Towards the end of the half, Old Loughts benefited from their familiarity on the bouncier pitch and broke for a one-on-one against Maidstone keeper Becky Ward. Ward came out strong to make a well timed challenge on the forward, but the tussle left both players on the floor with Ward without her helmet. The rebounded ball was picked up by an Old Loughts player running in behind, who struck at goal and the ball deflected into the goal. However, after some deliberation between the umpires, the goal was disallowed as the strike was deemed dangerous with the two players on the floor. The score remained at 0-0 at the close of the half.

Old Loughts again came straight out of the blocks for the opening minutes of the second half but defenders Ferguson and Helena Scott made some important interceptions and clearances to keep them at bay. The transfers improved as the defence settled into the half and Maidstone began to find more space for creative players Lizzie McClintock and joint Player of the Match Louise Fox to set up some attacks. Unfortunately, the luck was not with Maidstone and the home team’s pressure allowed them a drive into the D from the left hand side of the pitch. Although Maidstone got a touch on it, the bobbled ball reached an Old Loughts player around the penalty spot for her to slot it into the goal, putting them 1-0 up. Maidstone did their best not to be disheartened by this and continued to battle in the middle of the pitch. The team was unlucky not to gain any success and although the players did not give up the fight the match finished 1-0. Maidstone hope to put this result behind them and bring back the positivity and winning ways away against a strong Blueharts team on Saturday.