On 21.9.19, the Kelburne Ladies’ 1st team begun their league 2 campaign away to ESM. In very hot conditions the young squad begun the match without 6 members of last year’s squad and 5 moving up from the 2nd team. Youngster Morven McEwan made her competitive debut and had to start the match after car trouble saw Player/coach Rachael Ewing-Day and captain Frances Strain miss the start of the match.
Unfortunately the strong ESM side came out fighting and within 10 minutes had scored 3 to put themselves comfortably in the driving seat.
Kelburne found their rhythm in the later stages of the first half. The score at the end of the 1st half was 3-0.
The 2nd half saw a number of great passages of play for Kelburne Ladies. Cara Bruce and Connie Reid linking well in the left hand side to create lots of attacking plays. While Rebecca Feeney and Jen Morgan worked hard defensively to deny the rampant ESM time and space.
The fast paced game was end to end and subs rolled readily as the temperature took its toll. Notably Dalia Stewart picked up the ball in the middle of the pitch and her speed and tenacity proved too difficult for ESM to match. Her string and powerful surge into the circle was rewarded with a calm shot that found its was past the ESM keeper, taking the score to 3-1.
At the other end Keeper Emily Irvine was dominant between the sticks and a string of ESM corners and attacks found her busy pads. Controversially ESM did score however during this period after a obvious kicked ball from their striker was then placed past a confused Irvine. The goal however stood as the sun drenched umpire claimed not to have seen any infringement.
The game finished too early for the young 1st XI who just seemed to have got into their stride as the final whistle blew. Most Valuable players were voted as Jenna Brolly and Emily Irvine whose defensive efforts demonstrated maturity beyond their young years.
It was a disappointing result to begin the league campaign - Nevertheless spells of dominance, exceptional effort and determination and some fabulous individual performances make the young Kelburne side a team to look out for this season.