Wetherby Athletic LFC V Wakefield LFC - 31-1-16
Well, this wasn't a game I'd like to relive in a hurry, and I was only watching on the sidelines! After a convincing win against them away, Wakefield LFC came to The Ings with revenge on their minds, and certainly endeavoured to make it more difficult for the Orange Army this week.

It was great to get a game on at The Ings after months of wet weather, and Wetherby went close initially a few times, but it was Wakefield who came closest, forcing a great save from Kelly Jackson who tipped a long range effort over the bar. Wetherby then went close again, after a long throw out from Kelly Jackson found Louise Ross, who played it infield to Adele Murphy-Hartley. A fab ball wide to Megan Maxted was nearly rewarded when her cross was just hit inches wide by Rebecca Furey... Agonisingly close, and such beautiful football!

Unfortunately it was Wakefield who took the lead, when a cross from their No.11 cam across the Wetherby area and a deflection back from Adele Murphy-Hartley rolled under the keeper. 1-0 to Wakefield at halftime.

It didn't take long for Wakefield to take this lead and build on it, going 2-0 up after 50 mins, when a Wetherby corner was cleared and the Orange Army were caught on the break.

The determination of Wetherby was clear, when they managed to get a goal back soon after, with Martyy Petrova's follow-up making sure after a Lucy Crann effort was deflected back from the keeper.

Wakefield didn't let this phase them though, as Wetherby failed to contain their best player Biglin, and she was allowed too much freedom in the Wetherby box - flicking home a cool finish to give Wakefield a 2 goal cushion once more. 3-1 with 20 minutes to play.

The next 20 minutes will be forever etched in my memory (similar to the Westella game of last season), as the 14 players in Orange gave their all to get themselves back in the game. Helen Murphy-Hartley and Adele Murphy-Hartley worked tirelessly in the middle of the park to win challenges and get the ball back in the Wakefield half. The back four (Rianne Woodham, Sarah Holmes, Becky Davies and Louise Ross) ran their socks off trying to hold off the pace of the Wakefield forwards, with Holmes and Davies making some great challenges in the final minutes.

With 18 minutes left, Rebecca Furey made a great run through on goal, and hit a fantastic shot which the keeper couldn't hold - and luckily Martyy Petrova was there to finish once more. 3-2.

5 minutes later and a great ball from Helen Murphy-Hartley cut through the Wakefield defence, giving Rebecca Furey a run at goal. Her finish was only kept out by the far post, and a goalmouth scramble then took place, with Lucy Crann and Rebecca Furey determined to find the back of the net. It fell to Martyy Petrova however, to bring it level, and to coolly slide it home to get her hat-trick.

With 5 minutes to go, Wetherby managed the impossible, when they won a free-kick 30 yards out. Lindsey Hopton hit a fabulous ball into the box, and although it looked to be heading straight to the waiting arms of the keeper, Martyy Petrova once again nipped in front of the keeper and knocked the ball home. Against the odds, with 3 minutes to play, Wetherby were in the lead! The next few minutes were tense (to say the least!) and it took a last ditch tackle from Becky Davies in the Wetherby area to keep this lead intact.

What a game! What a performance! Perhaps not the greatest football ever to have graced the 1st team pitch at The Ings, but definitely one of the most spirited comebacks for the Orange Army.. Another 3 points and another win for Wetherby in the North East Premier. Well done everyone..

Player of the match went to the amazing Martyy Petrova, who added 4 to her season tally, taking her to 3rd top goalscorer in the league with 11 goals in 7 games. To quote one of our more negative supporters yesterday - "You'd be alright if you only had a goalscorer!" Well, we have one thank you. And it's a testament to the team that we have 4 players with 4 or more goals this season :) Close runners up for MOM were Adele Murphy-Hartley, for her sterling performance in the middle of the park, and Sarah Holmes, who also worked tirelessly at centre back. Well done everyone.. We rebuild and we take that determination onto the pitch against Hessle next week..
#orangearmy
#sundayfamily
#comebackkids
#squeakybumtime