Another Solid Win For Mill Lane Girls

Mill Lane United travelled to Hornsea without their top goal scorer, but were still looking forward to a repeat of the open competitive games that the two teams shared last season in the East Riding girls Football League.

The match got off to a slow start, Mill Lane pushing forward without great conviction, Hornsea playing a well organised and physical game, but neither side giving much away to the other. The defenders from both sides were solid, and it was clear that goals would not come easy in this match, especially as the pitch was heavy, which was hampering any fast-flowing football.

It took two individual efforts to break-through the home defence and give Mill Lane a two-goal advantage before half time. The first goal fell to Emma Smith, who surged forward from midfield, riding defensive challenges, and then finished with a clinical strike from range. Not to be outdone, Courtney Osler cut in from the wing, carried the ball past three opposition players, and put the ball past the goalkeeper to extend the Mill Lane lead to two goals.

In the second half Mill Lane United stepped up their game, and the home team found themselves under pressure for long spells. The Mill Lane midfield gave a commanding performance, with Emma Smith linking up brilliantly with her team-mates and causing no end of trouble for the home side, Courtney Osler and Jodie Brown winning possession of the ball, and Millie O’Neill crossing some dangerous balls in from the wing. The developing understanding between Courtney Fee and new girl Emma Smith, gave Mill Lane their third goal as the two players exchanged a series of passes before Smith finally put the ball in the bottom corner.

Despite their spell of dominance the away team were unable to add to the score-line, being denied by some last ditch defending, excellent reflex keeping, and by the woodwork on four separate occasions, including a looping chip from captain Kaytie Holdridge that rebounded off the bar into the danger area only to be dealt with by the ever vigilant Hornsea defence.

The Hornsea girls remained competitive throughout, working hard to regain possession, defending with determination, and launching attacks of their own that tested the Mill Lane defence. Indeed late in the second half they might have got back into the match had it not been for two good saves by the Mill Lane keeper, Emily Hood.

Mill Lane awarded Emma Wray their player of the match award, for an outstanding and adaptable performance that had seen her swapping between defensive, midfield and forward roles as the match unfolded.

Special mention goes to the Hornsea goalkeeper who took a heavy knock to the head and bravely carried on in the game, making important saves for her team.