Ladies 4th XI Vs Ilkeston 1

Ladies 4s 4-3 Ilkeston Ladies 1s

This was going to be a tough game against top of the league Ilkeston, and for the first few minutes Derby only had 10 players. Thankfully, Donna and Keely turned up pretty quickly and we got ourselves rearranged. Ilkeston were certainly fast on the attack, making us feel like we were going round and round in circles.
Ilkeston were the first to score, but Derby pulled the score back with Donna finding the back of the goal after an impressive run up the pitch. Soon after, Ilkeston scored again using Vicki to put the goal in, although there was a time-out and some contention due to us thinking that Ilkeston had been outside the circle when they took the shot. Unfortunately, it didn't go our way and Ilkeston were 2-1 up at halftime.
Second half, competing with a wind that kept coming and going along with the rain, Derby concentrated on marking players and more communication. Ilkeston had many opportunities to get another goal, including several short corners, but Derby kept it out.
Then the surprise attack came from Karen, when she scored twice in quick succession. Ilkeston did pull the score back with a direct hit that went straight through Katharine's stick, but Donna upped the ante again with a leisurely tap into the back of the goal after the goalie came out too far for the tackle.
Man of the Match votes were evenly spread, but Karen go the deciding vote between her and Heather for her two goals.