Pro-Life Kelburne Ladies 2s Win vs Grange Ladies 2s - 8.4.17

An unusually blisteringly hot spring day saw Kelburne Ladies 2s travel to Edinburgh to take on Grange Ladies 2s. Despite missing a number of regular players from their squad due to the start of the Easter holidays, which resulted in them travelling with just one reserve, the team was hopeful of continuing their run of good form that would see them further improve their position in the Championship League B table. However, it was apparent from the blow of the first whistle that Grange Ladies had other ideas. The opposition started very aggressively and quickly overcame a somewhat surprised Kelburne, creating chances that despite significant skill and bravery in goal by keeper Phoebe Jones Williams, eventually resulted in 3 goals against Kelburne in the first half. The shock score at half time was 0-3 Grange. But the spirited Kelburne’s Ladies 2s were not going to stand for this. And this positive attitude in the face of adversity, coupled with an inspiring team talk at half time by Manager, Dale Houston, proved nothing short of transformational. The squad regrouped, started communicating with each other again and, as a resulted, once again started to show the form that has seen a massive improvement in their performance over last season. The practiced and experienced Kelburne defence of Taylor Bain, Ellie Houston and Joy Fraser marshalled by Drew Berry put up strong resistance to the repeated Grange attacks. This, coupled with tireless work by the energetic midfield trio of Katrina Miller, Kirsty Gorman and Amy Crawford, sapped the drive and energy of the opposition. Skillful and strategic work at the front from birthday girl Bethany Allan and team mate Tara Patel saw Grange making some serious errors in the D and three short corners were won by Kelburne in quick succession. These were swiftly and clinically converted into unstoppable goals by talented veteran Kelburne player Berry, giving her a well-deserved hat trick. Kelburne’s comeback had created an exciting 3-3 challenge, with just 10 minutes to go. However, the team then had to hold on to this draw for a nailbiting 5 minutes as Grange attempted to mount a belated comeback. It fell to striker Rachel Bannatyne who seized the opportunity to pick up the pace, sending a precise and carefully timed pass up to fellow striker Lucy Bliss. Bliss continued the charge up the field, swept through the Grange defence and aggressively hammered home the winning goal with just 5 minutes to go. What a turnaround and a great team effort by the Kelburne Ladies 2s in a match that was played in a great competitive and sporting spirit.

Final score 4-3 Kelburne (Berry 3, Bliss 1).  Next up for the Kelburne Ladies 2s is a double header at the weekend against Erskine Stewart’s Melville Ladies 2s and University of Dundee Women’s 2s as they continue to press for a top 5 finish and increasing their positive goal difference.