Team sheet: Connie Ridpath, Georgina Burns, Vicky Johnson, Charlotte Evans, Olivia Powell, Maddy Cullin, Neve McLoughlin Subs; Amealia Parker, Flossie Jones, Lily Butcher, Megan McKinnell  (all used).

1st Half

On a wet and heavy pitch Wigan faced Euxton girls in a cup game that turned out to be an absolute thriller. The Wigan midfield of Maddy, Olivia and Charlotte got straight in to the opposition to get the Wigan girls on the front foot. They went ahead after two minutes with Neve coolly slotting in at the near post. 

This settled the girls straight away to gain control.  It was Neve again who scored the second after strong work from the midfield trio. Vicky and Georgina were staying strong with both girls attacking down the flanks and using their speed and strength, they were both getting really strong tackles in to win the ball. A ball in from the left by Maddy was flicked goalwards for Neve to complete her 10-minute hat trick. 

Lily and Megan came on to give Maddy and Neve well earned rests. Lily got down the left flanks and was unlucky when a shot flew wide and was her usual energetic self. Connie had done a great save with her legs to keep the score 3-0, however Euxton kept coming back and scored a goal just before half time to get back into the game.  

Half time 3-1. 

2nd Half

Georgina had now gone in goal with Flossie going to left back. The Euxton team talk must have worked as they came out flying on all cylinders and were putting real pressure on the Wigan defence.  Vicky, Olivia and Maddy were all getting tackles in to stem the Euxton attack. 

Flossie was covering loads of ground to ensure the left side of defence was staying strong with here usual energy and fearless tackling. The pressure paid off with Euxton scoring next to turn the game into a fantastic cup thriller.  Amealia was trying to use her speed on the right and was unlucky not to get the ball up forward to Connie upfront. 

The introduction of Charlotte and Neve got the Wigan girls going forward again. A quick throw in from Vicky got Charlotte down the right flank to beat their defender, she then crossed over for Maddy to coolly shoot past the keeper to make it

4-2 (Wigan fans thinking game over). 

Once again, Euxton failed to be demoralised and again came back at Wigan to score a great goal to make it 4-3 with 5 minutes to go. 

Wigan defended strongly to finally come out winners 4-3 for probably the best match of the season.  Compliments should go to the Euxton girls and coaches who kept their girls going to make a fantastic game. 

Player of the match this week went to Charlotte.  She was full of none stop running down both flanks, creating chances for the strikers but also managing to get back into defence when Wigan’s backs were against the wall. Her great bit of skill near the end provided Maddy with the final goal, which in the end was the clincher in this game.

Team sheet: Flossie Jones, Georgina Burns, Vicky Johnson, Amealia Parker, Olivia Powell, Charlotte Evans, Connie Ridpath Subs; Lily Butcher, Maddy Cullin, Megan McKinnell, Neve McLoughlin (all used).

1st Half

After the previous weeks great performance against Burnley the girls were a little off form this week against Preston North End. Flossie started in goal with Vicky and Georgina in defence, both defensive girls were busy keeping the strong midfield girls of Preston at bay. Olivia started in midfield, was struggling with a chest infection and had to be replaced by Maddy who came on to liven the midfield up. Amealia on the right flank was showing she was getting used to this position, with great running and using her speed to trouble the defence. Connie was unlucky not to get Wigan in front with the ball just missing her outstretched foot. 

Preston went in front with a goal straight from the corner that curved in at the back post this was an absolute blinder of a shot that left Flossie in goal no chance. 

Wigan had the opportunity to get back in the game when they were awarded a penalty. Georgina stepped up and hit the ball with venom, but the ball flew just inches over the bar. Charlotte tried to get the girls going but it was one of them half’s where Wigan were struggling.  Half time 0-1.

2nd Half

Wigan came out determined to get back into the game. Olivia now feeling better had bravely volunteered to go in goal for the second half.

Maddy and Lily in midfield were driving them forward and sending good balls out to Megan on the right wing. Vicky at the back was now getting more into the game, her strong runs from defence was causing havoc in the Preston midfield. 

Neve up front was giving the defence a different challenge with her trickery and holding up of the ball. Flossie continued her good form on the left defence. With these two in defence, Wigan didn’t look like conceding a goal in the second half.  A run on the left from Maddy was followed by shot across goal that Megan knocked in on the back post for Wigan to draw level. 

The girls now realised they could win this game and went on the attack forcing five corners in the last five minutes. However, it was the Preston defence who held strong for a well deserved final 1-1 draw.

Player of the match went to Vicky, this is the second game on the run that she has won this. She shows consistently how to be strong and organised in defence. In games like this when the team struggle to get on top Vicky ensures everything is mopped up at the back and gets the girls forward at every opportunity.

NEXT GAME DETAILS: Euxton (Home- Cup Game)

6th November 2010

Team sheet: Flossie Jones, Georgina Burns, Vicky Johnson, Amealia Parker, Charlotte Evans, Olivia Powell, Neve McLoughlin Subs; Connie Ridpath, Lily Butcher, Maddy Cullin, Megan McKinnell  (all used).

1st Half

On a wet and cold morning Wigan took on an unbeaten Burnley team. From the beginning it was easy to see why they were unbeaten as they were a well organised and skilful team.

It took Wigan five minutes to get into the game before the midfield of Olivia, Charlotte and Amealia started to take control. With Olivia and Charlotte playing some great through balls to Neve upfront. Flossie volunteered for goal and was looking comfortable and confident, she got some great kicks in to drive Burnley defence back. 

The back two of Georgina and Vicky were keeping the skilful Burnley strikers at bay. A driving run from Vicky followed by a great pass through to Neve created the first goal.  Neve coolly shot across goal to score with a sublime finish to make the score 1-0 half time.

2nd Half

Burnley again started strongly in the second half but were again thwarted by the strong Wigan defence with Flossie now partnering Vicky. Maddy, Lily and Megan were now fresh legs in midfield and pushing forward, they were also defending very well as a unit with all of them getting behind the ball when required. Connie, upfront got onto some great passes from Megan and was unlucky not to get a shot on goal. 

Lily turned her defender to gain a free kick on the edge of the box, Vicky banged it in to cause panic in the defence with Maddy laying the ball to Megan on the right who slotted the ball leaving the keeper no chance. Burnley kept coming at Wigan and Amealia made a couple of great saves with her feet to keep the visitors scoreless. 

A great team performance with every member of the team working hard to close the opposition down and they now appreciate the defensive work is as important as scoring goals.  This is probably the team’s best performance of the season against a very organised Burnley team.

Player of the match went to Flossie who is now showing what a committed and strong defender she is. Her reading of the game and understanding when to tackle is something all the girls should watch. The award has been coming for the last couple of games where she has constantly been excellent in defence.

NEXT GAME DETAILS:

Preston North End (Home) 30th Oct 2010

Team sheet, Connie Ridpath, Flossie Jones, Georgina Burns, Megan McKinnell,  Maddy Cullin, Lily Butcher, Neve McLoughlin Parker

Subs; Amealia Parker, Charlotte Evans, Olivia Powell, Vicky Johnson (used)

Scorers: Neve McLoughlin (3), Maddy Cullin (3), Connie Ridpath (2), Olivia Powell, Vicky Johnson, Amealia Parker, Charlotte Evans

1st Half

The girls got back to winning ways this week with an emphatic 12-0 win. 

Wigan got into the game straight away with an early goal from Neve playing upfront for the first time.  Maddy was next on the score sheet with herself and Neve linking up brilliantly to create the goal. 

Megan in the unusual position of midfield proved her versatility by making some superb breaks and getting some fine passes through to Neve and Maddy. 

On the left midfield Lily was strong as usual but also getting her head up to lay some fantastic balls into the middle. 

Flossie and Georgina were solid at the back ensuring Town Green got very little chances.  Connie in goal had one save to make to keep Town Green scoreless. Maddy and Neve scored two more each for half time score 6-0.

2nd Half

Connie was out of goal and playing striker, which proved a positive move as she scored first goal of the second half with a fine shot. 

Across the middle now was Olivia, Charlotte and Amealia who were causing the opposition none stop problems, with their enthusiasm in tackling and running.  Olivia was next on the score sheet with a fine strike from outside the box. 

Vicky at the back was striding forward making great yards down the right flank. It was Vicky who scored the next goal when her and Charlotte worked a short corner enabling Vicky to get a shot on goal and score. 

Connie got her second goal and was looking dangerous.  Amealia got her first goal of the season which was reward for previous hard work, she was also interlinking with Connie playing midfield and striker. 

Last goal of the game went to Charlotte when her fast feet totally bamboozled the defender to strike the goal just inside the post. Georgina nearly got her first goal when another short corner with Charlotte enabled her to get a stunning left foot shot away that was just curving in only for the goalkeeper to make a great save.

Flossie was again solid in the second half and was working the corners as well as being strong in the tackle. Neve was in goal for the second half and had little to do due to the strong defensive performance.

Final score 12-0. 

Player of the match went to Neve this week for a stunning first half performance in the unusual position of striker. Her holding up of the ball enabled the midfield to get forward and when she had a chance she finished with great composure. 

Team sheet: Charlotte Evans, Georgina Burns, Vicky Johnson, Neve McLoughlin, Olivia Powell, Maddy Cullin, Amealia Parker Subs; Connie Ridpath, Flossie Jones, Lily Butcher, Megan McKinnell (all used)

1st Half

The U10’s fell to their first defeat of the season in a hard fought game against a strong Mill Hill side.  At the back Georgina, Flossie and Vicky were all strong in the tackle, keeping the Mill Hill at bay. 

Georgina was particularly strong down the left, keeping the Mill Hill danger girl in check. Olivia was covering every blade of grass with a tremendous work rate in both attack and defence.  Maddy and Neve were trying to get on top, but finding the midfield of Mill Hill hard to penetrate. 

Connie on the right was unlucky when she had two shots that just went wide. Amealia and Megan upfront were looking dangerous, but both were unable to get clear shots on goal. Charlotte (goalkeeper) was called into action just the once to keep the half time score at 0-0.

2nd Half

The second half was very much same as the first, with both sides battling for supremacy. Olivia continued from the first half and made a fantastic break and was unlucky not to set Megan up in front of goal. 

Vicky made a crunching tackle to get the girls on the attack and Georgina and Flossie continued to take no prisoners. 

It was Mill Hill who scored the only goal in the game when a break from midfield left Maddy in goal with three players running at her, despite her best efforts Mill Hill scored. 

Maddy made a couple of saves to keep the Wigan girls in the game. Charlotte, Olivia and Lily continued to press and try to get chances to Amealia and Megan. Despite all this pressure the time beat Wigan, with a final score of 1-0 to Mill Hill.

Although it is the first defeat of the season the girls were outstanding, in working as a team for each other and were unfortunate to come away without a point. 

Credit to Mill Hill who are a hard and strong team to beat and will surely be near the honours at the end of the season.

Player of the match went to Olivia for an outstanding display in midfield, both in attack and defence she was relentless and gave Mill Hill something to think about all match. She showed how physically fit she is by covering every blade of grass.

NEXT GAME DETAILS:

ACADEMY - AWAY 26th SEPT 2010

Team sheet: Megan Mckinnel, Vicky Johnson, Charlotte Evans, Connie Ridpath, Maddy Cullin, Neve McLoughlin, Amealia Parker Subs; Lily Butcher ( used)

1st Half

The girls started well and were constantly on attack from the whistle.  Maddy, Neve and Connie were all getting attempts on goal but were either wide or well saved by the keeper. 

Amealia upfront was again working hard but was unable to get the first goal on the board.  At the back Vicky and Charlotte were extremely strong in both attack and defence. 

Vicky in particular was driving the ball forward, making great yards down the right side.  Lily came on to right midfield and was her usual tigerish self with great runs down the wide and tackling. Megan in goal made one good save when a high bouncing ball was collected with ease. 

Despite all the pressure half time was 0-0, with the St Mary’s keeper keeping us at bay.

2nd Half

Connie was now helping in defence with Vicky and both were playing well at the back. 

Charlotte now in midfield was causing problems upfront and from a great pass Megan opened the scoring with a cool finish across the goalkeeper.  Wigan were now on top with Maddy, Megan, Lily and Neve all going close. 

Despite all the Wigan pressure it was St.Mary’s drew level when a free kick from outside the box was drove home clearing the wall and Amealia (in goal) was unlucky not to keep it out by getting a hand to it. 

Wigan again went looking for the winner but were beaten by the clock and absolutely outstanding performance from the St.Mary’s keeper who must have saved at least 6 goals.

Final score 1-1.  On most other days the girls would have won this game, as it is they came up against a well organised defence and an inform keeper.  

Player of the match went to Charlotte for her defensive effort in the first half and also engineering most of the attacking play and goal chances in the second half. Vicky ran her close with some outstanding defending and runs from deep.