Cottage Farm Ladies

  The Ladies train on Mondays and Thursdays at Belgrave High School starting at 6.00pm in summer months, and at 9.00pm on Thursdays at Queen Elizabeth Mercian School in winter months.

Reports:

04/05/2003 - Against a team looking to win the title, the Ladies were missing too many key players. The Ladies started with only 10 players, and that soon became 9 as Emily Cotterill had to leave the field after a heavy fall on the hard ground. Unfortunately, the odds were stacked too much in Great Wyrley's favour, and they ran out comfortable 10 - 0 winners. The Ladies battled and didn't give up but it was not to be. A shame because with a full team, I think we could give them a good game.       Player of the Match: Caroline Bayley. 

13/04/2003 - A poor game but the Ladies were still too strong for Sandwell. The Ladies were weakened due to the ill Anna Kelly and the unavailable Emily Cotterill, but still found it too easy and their game was affected by it. Play was scrappy throughout but a hat-trick by Leann Benson, one direct from a corner by Lyndsey Hollyoak and one from keeper Gemma Smith who was let loose outfield in the second half.              Player of the Match: Caroline Bayley. 

06/04/2003 - The Ladies, unfortunately with only 10 players on the pitch showed a lot of spirit to dominate this game despite the handicap. They started brightly and put together some good moves and were rewarded when they were awarded a corner. Emma Gray sent the corner in, and after Leann Benson's initial effort was blocked, Anna Kelly pounced on the rebound to score. Stafford did not give up and got an equalizer when the Cottage Farm defence failed to clear a cross from the left. The Ladies were not disheartened however and  re-gained the lead when Leann Benson latched on to a through ball, cut inside and fired the ball inside the near post. The second half saw Cottage Farm creating the better chances, but they couldn't manage to convert one. With 5 minutes to go, Stafford got the ball into the box, and despite the efforts of Emily Cotterill and Vicky Roe, Stafford snatched the equalizer. Although Stafford had their moments, the Ladies created more and the better chances, but the name of the game is goals and they didn't come.                                 Player of the Match: Anna Kelly. 

30/03/2003 - Another good win for the Ladies, eventually. Playing against bottom but one Sandwell, the Ladies took an early lead through Leann Benson but struggled in the first half to get their game together, especially when they got caught in the offside trap too often. Despite this a number of chances were created and not converted in a scrappy half. After the break, however, the Ladies did start passing the ball around and got their reward. The Sandwell goal was under almost constant pressure as the Cottage Farm midfield completely dominated play. Five more goals from Leann Benson, and singles from Emily Cotterill and Emma Gray saw the Ladies to a very comfortable win.                  Player of the Match: Leann Benson

23/03/2003 - A great win for the Ladies against third-placed Darlaston Ladies. From the kick off, the Ladies were on their game and despite centre half Stephanie Parker being unavailable, they defended extremely well against a strong team. The sloping pitch was very hard and uneven and very difficult to play on, but the Ladies made light of it and played some very good football indeed. The pressure eventually told, and the Ladies took the lead through the lively Leann Benson. This goal was followed by an even better strike from Leann to make it two. Even better was to follow as Leann completed her hat trick with an absolute belter before half time. In the second half, with the slope in their  favour, Darlaston pushed forward in an attempt to get back in the game, but resolute defending by Tracey Tomes, Vicky Roe, Emily Cotterill and Jenny Lowe kept them out. To put the icing on the cake, Lyndsey Hollyoak got a fourth for the Ladies. In the last quarter, with the heat and pitch taking it's toll, Darlaston did come back to get two goals back but this came far too late to affect the result.    Player of the Match: Leann Benson.   

02/03/2003 - The Ladies started off much better in this game , and soon stamped their authority on the game. The midfield of Emma Gray, Anna Kelly, Karen Moss and Lindsey Statham dominated, The defence of Vick Roe, Emily Cotterill, Stephanie Parker and Jenny Lowe were solid at the back and Vicky Cobb and Leann  Benson were always threatening up front. The Ladies created a host of chances but a combination of near misses and good saves from the visiting keeper meant things were all square at the break. The second half started in much the same way, but due to a defensive error, Yates managed to go in front. Worse was to come as Vicky Cobb had to be carried off with severe ligament damage. From the resultant free kick, Emma Gray equalized, and 5 minutes later Leann Benson ran clear to push the ball into the corner of the net for a well deserved lead. One more twist in the game came when unfortunately one of the Yates' players dislocated her kneecap late on and had to be taken to hospital. A well derved win for the Ladies. Player of the Match: Stephanie Parker. 

23/02/2003 - Playing against the league leaders, Stone Dominoes, the Ladies matched them for 80 minutes, after the first 10 minutes where we were half asleep! In the first 10 minutes, we conceded 3 sloppy goals, one with the help of the ref who couldn't get out of the way, and then after that Stone barely had a shot. In reality, as the ref said afterwards, apart from the first 10 minutes, the game had 0 - 0 written all over it, and he was probably right. It was a hard fought game where both sides battled hard and gave 100%. Stone will obviously stay top of the table, and our Ladies have dropped a point that they possibly deserved, apart from 10 minutes lack of concentration.     Player of the Match: Emma Gray.  

16/02/2003 - How did the Ladies lose this one! Gemma Smith, in goal, barely had a shot to save, whereas our Ladies had umpteen chances which on this day, we couldn't put away. The defence was much more solid than last week, the midfield were competitive and, in the first half especially, supplied a good supply of possession to Leann Benson and fit again Vicky Cobb up front. Alas, this was not to be our day against fourth placed Cannock, but it does show that we more than matched them and should be looking for better things in the not too distant future, especially when we get a full squad back.             Player of the Match: Anna Kelly.

09/02/2003 - Due to illness and injury, the Ladies could only field 10 players, and 4 of those were not fit to play, having climbed out of their sick beds to turn out. Playing against third placed Stone Dominoes at their fantastic venue in such circumstances was never going to be easy, and on a very heavy surface made it doubly difficult. However the Ladies never gave up, and although they weren't at their best, they kept the score down to 0 - 4, which in light of the problems was not so bad.                     Player of the Match: Leann Benson.   

02/02/2003 - A depleted team took the field in conditions which quickly deteriorated with wind, rain, then sleet, snow and hail, and freezing cold to boot. In these sort of conditions, good flowing football was never going to happen, but both teams fought hard. The Ladies created probably the better chances, but it was never quite their day in front of goal. The defence played extremely well again and Stoke never really had a clear cut chance. Unfortunately, however Stoke did get the only goal of the game although it took 2 deflections off defenders before rolling into the net.                  Player of the Match: Emily Cotterill.

26/01/2003 - A good performance from the Ladies on a very heavy pitch at Yarnfield. Both sides struggled to come to terms with the surface, where it was difficult enough to run, let alone play football, but as they settled the Ladies started to play some good football and gained the upper hand. Stafford,  however, who had one or two very good players in their side, and were playing down the slope, got the first goal and followed it up 2 minutes later, with a second. In the second half, the Ladies really pressed hard, but at first the goals would not come, but the woodwork got a hammering on at least 4 occasions. Eventually, the Ladies got their first through Lyndsey Hollyoak. Shortly after, Emma Gray took a left footed free kick about 35 yards out which wasn't her best, it probably didn't help that her boot came off! Panic set in for Emma as the ball came back, so she hit it with her still booted right foot. The ball sailed over the keeper's head for the equalizer. Leann Benson got the goal that both the Ladies and she herself deserved, with a great goal where her pace allowed her to bravely slide in to steer the ball past the keeper. Another good win and a great fight back.         Player of the Match: Karen Moss.               

19/01/2003 - The Quarter Final of the County Cup, and inevitably the Ladies are drawn against a top team, Wolves from the National Premier North Division. I guess, inevitably, Wolves won, 8 - 0 as it happens, but the Ladies never gave up in a battling display against a very good and very committed team who, incidentally, train 4 times a week. Wolves were always completely on top, but the Ladies defended very well as a team and made the Wolves work for every goal. The Ladies were a credit to the club, well done Ladies. Player of the Match: Emily Cotterill.

15/12/2002 - Another win, another clean sheet. As with most derby matches, this was never going to be a game of free flowing football, but it was very keenly fought with both teams not giving up on anything. In the first half when Tamworth Ladies had more of the possession and applied some pressure, Cottage Farm Ladies defence held firm and restricted Tamworth to only one chance which was off target. Cottage Farm despite being pegged back, when the opportunity arose pushed forward and created two very good chances which they couldn't convert. In the second half, the tide turned and Cottage Farm applied the pressure. For 25 minutes, they pushed Tamworth back and again created chances but couldn't finish. As Cottage Farm tired, Tamworth came more into the game and it became end to end stuff. Gemma Smith in goal, then pulled off a superb save to push the ball away for a corner when Tamworth produced their best chance. With a minute left, the ball was played out of the midfield to Vicky Cobb on the right, who made ground before sending in a pinpoint cross to Lyndsey Hollyoak to score the winning goal in a really good performance. Well done Ladies, perhaps not a great performance, but a great victory.                             Player of the Match: Gemma Smith

08/12/2002 - Hey, we're on a roll here, 4 wins out of 5, 3 clean sheets on the trot, we must be doing something right. On a freezing cold afternoon, the Ladies produced another strong performance against Yates. On a surface which was a bit bumpy, the Ladies created more and better chances and could have finished with 5 or 6 but for a very good performance from the Yates' keeper. Yates were restricted to only one real chance, which Gemma Smith in goal did very well to save. Otherwise the re-arranged defence (due to injury and unavailability) of Vicky Roe, Emily Cotterill, Steph Parker and Emma Gray were very solid. Leann Benson who is looking more like her old self was a constant threat up front and scored both the goals. Anna Kelly, still fighting her way back to fitness, was superb in midfield. On top of her fitness problems, Anna got caught by some knees in her ribs, but would not give up, She constantly broke up Yates' attacks and got the attack moving. All in all, a very good performance by all 11 players. Well done Ladies!                                            Player of the Match: Anna Kelly. 

24/11/2002 - Another good solid performance brought their second consecutive clean sheet, and second consecutive win. With Lindsey Statham and Jenny Cope coming in, in place of the unavailable Gemma Arnold and Caroline Bayley, the Ladies carried on in the same fine form as last week. Gemma Smith, in goal, commanded in and around her box and the defence, whenever possible, looked to play the ball out through the midfield rather than kick it away. The midfield worked hard and looked creative with a good supply of balls through to the forwards. APS never gave up, and battled away throughout the 90 minutes, but were met with stern resistance whenever they broke. Cottage Farm created numerous chances and the pressure paid off with goals from the influential Anna Kelly, and another by the always dangerous Leann Benson. A very good team performance.                                                                                                         Player of the Match: Stephanie Parker.

17/11/2002 - A much better performance from the Ladies on a very heavy pitch. With Anna Kelly back after her long layoff, the Ladies were looking much more like their old selves and passed the ball around much better than of late. The defence of Vicky Roe, Gemma Arnold, Steph Parker, and Caroline Bayley looked solid, the midfield of Vicky Cobb, Anna Kelly, Emily Cotterill and Emma Gray passed the ball round very well at times and were strong in the tackle and Leann Benson and Lyndsey Hollyoak were lively and threatening. The final score of 2 - 0 probably did not reflect the Ladies superiority as many more chances went begging. But this should not detract from a much improved, and at times a very good, performance. Well done Ladies, much more like it.                                Player of the Match: Emily Cotterill.

03/11/2002 - This was a very disappointing result with the Ladies going 2 goals up in 10 minutes, only to sit back and concede 4 soft goals. In the first 10 minutes, the Ladies played some excellent football and scored 2 good goals from Emma Gray. Unfortunately, they then sat back and allowed Stoke back into the game. Stoke pulled one back just before half time, and then went on to dominate the first 20 minutes of the second half and scores 3 more goals. They then got back into the game and went close a few times but it was not enough. The Ladies were not helped by having 3 or 4 players not feeling 100%, but this was a disappointing result.     Player of the Match: Gemma Smith.

13/10/2002 - Although this was a good win, in some ways this was a bit of a disappointing performance. Although the Ladies had a lot of chances and obviously were the better team, there was a reluctance to support the player in possession, to call for the ball and put a foot on it. The Ladies also need to be a bit calmer in front of goal. This made the game very scrappy especially in the first half. Again, there were players unavailable which did not help, and the conditions were not easy, but there is more ability in the team than this performance showed. But a win is a win. Goals from strikers Leann Benson 2 and Lyndsey Hollyoak 2, plus singles from Emily Cotterill and Vicky Cobb saw the Ladies home.                             Player of the Match: Vicky Cobb. 

06/10/2002 - A much improved display from the Ladies against a good team. Although there were still a few players missing, the Rangers put a much more spirited display against unbeaten Great Wyrley. In a very fast game, the Ladies were always under pressure against a very fit and mobile team, but still managed to create a few chances and should really have got a goal or two. But it was not to be and Great Wyrley wrapped up the game with an almost unbelievable goal from 30 yards that dipped under the crossbar into the top corner. Something to build on as the strength of the squad improves.    Player of the Match: Vicky Roe.

29/09/2002 - A disappointing performance from an under-strength team sums this game up. Severely depleted by illness and unavailability, the Ladies slumped to a very disappointing defeat against a very physical team. In the first half the Ladies more than held their own, and had enough chances to be leading, but went in behind. The second half got worse with the discipline and positioning being poor and the heads then dropped. Even without a full strength team, we should have done much better.    Player of the Match: Vicky Roe. 

15/09/2002 - A good start to this match saw the Ladies dominate the opening quarter and gain a lead through Leann Benson. Unfortunately, some sloppy defending saw them give it away to be 3 - 1 down at half time. Cannock then struck again early in the second half before a stirring fight back by the Ladies saw goals from Emma Gray and a second from Leann put them right back in the driving seat. However it was not to be as Cannock struck again just before the end to wrap up the win.    

            Player of the Match: Lindsey Statham.

08/09/2002 - A good performance in the Ladies first home match of the season. The Ladies were well on top throughout the match but failed to turn that domination into goals for a long time. Eventually, a mistake from the visiting keeper allowed Vicki Cobb's cross-shot to sneak in. However, a moment's hesitation in defence allowed APS into equalise. The second half followed a similar pattern with plenty of chances going begging until eventually new striker Lyndsey Hollyoak struck with her first goal of the season. Shortly afterwards following a corner, a goalmouth scramble resulted in Vicki Cobb smashing in her second. Another good performance from the Ladies, but we will have to work on the shooting!                                                             Player of the Match: Jennifer Lowe.

 

01/09/2002 - In what was the first match for basically a new  (and young) team, which was not at full strength, the Ladies played some very good football indeed. The passing and link up play was good, some of the defensive work was good, and the work rate and teamwork was very good too. On a very hot day, and on a bumpy pitch, the Ladies eventually lost 0 - 4, but not without giving Wolverhampton Utd a scare. A penalty miss, plus several other missed chances meant that that this could quite easily have been a 4 - 4 draw. A good start, and with one or two players to come in, a performance which provides a lot of confidence for the season to come.                                                                  Player of the Match: Vicki Roe in her first ever competitive match.