Away at Home

Having worried earlier in the week that we were going to have to drop some of our 17 confirmed players, we ended up meeting up with only 12, injury and illness plagued us.

Our history against Cleckheaton didn’t give us much insight into how the game would be. We’ve both lost to them and beaten them in the past. They came down a couple of season ago, and usually present quite a strong side.

As the game started, we could tell that Cleckheaton had some good key players that we would need to watch closely. With Fretters back in midfield, she was commanding the marking well and we were able to shut down lots of the Cleckheaton hit outs.

We were able to make some really good breaks with lots of space down the wings and we’re making some dangerous attacks. Cleckheaton were strong and could make some quick breaks of their own.

We had some great chances, it was Gail who first capitalised and scored the first GOAL of the match, thanks to some great passing work in midfield getting the ball through to her for a shot. 1-0 to Batley.

We continued our attack, shutting down Cleckheaton hits and using the space well on the field to keep the ball moving. The left and right wings were proving great for us to break and get the ball through to the forwards. Another great move through the midfield got the ball in the circle again and a scramble in front of goal saw jo score the second GOAL of the game. 2-0 to Batley.

We were really pleased with our performance at halftime, but were keen not to get complacent as we knew that Cleckheaton would take advantage of any lapse in our game.

We started the second half still the dominant team on the field, working the ball around Cleckheaton and getting in some dangerous shooting positions. The midfield were working hard at keeping the ball moving and we were playing a very attacking game.

Gail managed to break through a third time, taking the ball into the D and scoring the third GOAL of the game 3-0 to Batley.

As the game went on, Cleckheaton began to shut down some of our more used attacks and were starting to push back against us a little. It was in a moment of poor marking that Cleckheaton got the ball through our midfield and quickly attacked on goal. The goal proved that they could easily attack us if we gave them chance. 3-1 to Batley.

Not disheartened, we were keen that Cleckheaton wouldn’t get another chance to score and went on the attack again, having regrouped in midfield.

The game ended 3-1, MOM was shared between Mel, Fretters & Newby.

Next week: Horsforth at home.

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