Match Report from Ladies game today

[KarenFaz]

17/12/06 Padiham v Accrington Stanley Ladies

The results are going to come! That is the overwhelming feeling after the ladies played in a pulsating encounter at Arbories in Padiham today in front of a great crowd of 93.

It is unusual for the girls to be playing at a ‘proper’ ground, they are used to playing on mud flats and wastelands, so it was a welcome relief to be playing a game on a good, if not wet pitch, after six weeks without having a game.

Within the first ten minutes new signings, Ashleigh Broughton and Hannah Jones went close as did lone striker Sarah Worden, but it was in the defensive areas that we were strongest. The return of Jamie Schofield after injury saw the best defensive display that Stanley have played since their formation just five short months ago.

The Stanley players knew that it was going to be a tough encounter, our previous game with Padiham left the players feeling angry and a need to beat them in the return match was in the minds of all the players today. It was unfortunate to see two goals go in before the half-time whistle but after half-time it was obvious that Padiham thought that Stanley were going to be a pushover for an easy win. The Stanley players did not sit back they wanted a win more than anyone in the match and maybe that took over somewhat in the minds of the players. Their concentration seemed to slip in the last quarter of the game, which let in two more fortunate goals for Padiham. The score did not reflect the effort put in by the girls at all, they deserved much more.

The game was slightly marred with an unsavoury atmosphere being seen throughout the match. Stanley Ladies Manager Karen Fazackerley commented: ‘Our girls, who are in their first season in this league are still getting used to the banter that is seen in a football match, but there is a MASSIVE difference between banter and nastiness and as their manager I feel I have to stick up for the girls, the nastiness seen today is not a good thing to see in women’s football.’ Karen continued: ‘I for one do not want to see it on any football pitch that Stanley Ladies play on again. Our girls do not deserve it when it has been noted by other managers in the league that Stanley Ladies have a great team bond with great characters playing for them and I can assure fans and opposing teams that it will not be broken by anyone, no matter how hard opposing teams try to break them it only makes them stronger as a team!’

They now have a three week break until January 3rd 2007 when they return to training and with the first game being against title favourites Rochdale, the games keep on coming stronger than ever!

Stanley Squad: McNaught, Geldard, Worden, Jones, Broughton, Doyle, Wilson, Schofield, Newsome, Robinson, Carter
Subs: Kinsley, Hindle

MOM: Jamie Schofield

Result: Padiham 4 Accrington Stanley Ladies 0
Attendance: 93
Venue: Arbories Stadium, Padiham

[Wynonie Harris]

Sounds like they played well. Hopefully, the results will start coming soon. Good crowd as well. I've seen the Stanley first team play in front of less than that!

[Dan]

The ladies were brilliant. Simple as that.
Against the side top of the league, having not had a game for about 5 weeks and with a couple of debuts and players carrying injuries, 4-0 is a respectable scoreline.
It was an entertaining game, and a proper contest, which isn't something I thought I'd hear myself say in the days of 30-odd nil maulings against PNE. As Kaz says (in her somewhat bizarre match report - quoting herself?????? Is that the 1st sign of madness? ) a result will come.
The biggest thing for me is to see these girls proud to represent Stanley, enjoying themselves, and improving leaps and bounds with every game.
And the Psycho is well and truly back!
Also, great to see some Stanley support there!

[KarenFaz]

lol Dan

Just copied and pasted it from the official site which is why looks odd, Dan you have just volunteered your services as club journo lol

Kaz

[sparkie]

Yeah, I too am a little dissappointed with the attitude of the padiham players and staff. Once again their players chose to try and intimidate our players with petty threats and snide digs. I'm glad to say all of our girls did themselves proud and didn't rise to the bait.

I was again a target for the digs and comments but this time I kept my mouth shut, unlike last time when one of their players threatened to kick me in the head!!!

As for the performance, satisfied all round is the verdict from me. I dearly wanted our first win yesterday, but the dissappointment of that was well and truely covered by the pride and passion the girls showed and the massive improvement from the last game against padiham.

There's a real sense of optimism and a buzzing team spirit at the moment and as far as I'm concerned our next game can't come soon enough.

Onwards and upwards, COME ON YOU REDS!!!

[Kiwi John]

Good onya ladies.2007 could be the start of something big.