Alder Ladies’ Megan Law reports on her team’s Liverpool County FA Challenge Cup Final victory last Sunday against Merseyrail Bootle.
Both teams are currently challenging for the Liverpool County FA Open Age League title, with a few points being the difference.
Everyone involved in the both clubs knew it would be a tight game and hopefully one that would generate a huge crowd and help showcase women’s football. MerseyRail had a slight advantage over Alder as they had beaten them 2-1 earlier on in the season, however Alder didn’t let the previous scoreline affect them.
The first 10 minutes was all MerseyRail and Alder didn’t look too comfortable. The pitch was huge and definitely something neither club were used too. Alder absorbed most of the pressure that was coming at them, MerseyRail dominating the possession but unable to trouble the Alder keeper.
The breakthrough came when MerseyRail gave away a free kick in a dangerous position about 15 minutes into the game. Danielle Robertson, who has scored some stunning free-kicks throughout the season, placed the ball down about 30 yards from goal. The wall was set and the ref blew his whistle. Goal! Alder where 1-0 up thanks to an amazing strike by the midfielder. The whole team except the goalkeeper ran to celebrate, however she was seen jumping up and down and shouting in celebration.
The finalists pose together
The goal came against the run of play and MerseyRail where a little shaken. Restarting the game, they piled the pressure on but once again couldn’t seem to break through the strong Alder defence. Around 30 minutes and MerseyRail where still pressuring the Alder back four, a cross fell to one of the MerseyRail midfielders, who hit a volley and it smashed the corner of the crossbar, with the keeper rooted to the spot.
Alder started the second half off and it was like a new team had stepped out onto the pitch. The midfield was dominating, winning every ball. For the first 15 minutes, Alder controlled the game and came close to adding a second goal.
Around the 65th minute, MerseyRail seemed to come back to life and were once again controlling the game putting Alder under pressure. A miscommunication between two Alder players led to the MerseyRail captain hitting a volley at the goal which had the keeper diving to her left hand side to make the save.
The game was a little scrappy for the next 10 minutes as both teams were searching for a goal. MerseyRail had two dangerous free-kicks on the edge of the box but were unable to beat the Alder wall on both occasions. Little fouls where starting to come out and the players were starting to get a frustrated, the crowd becoming a little more rowdy with each foul.
About 12 minutes from time, Alder whipped a cross into the box which was fumbled by the MerseyRail keeper as her own defender clattered into her. Nadia Trapnow, a left side winger, had an easy tap in from about 7 yards out. Once again the team sprinted to the scorer, helping celebrate along with the crowd in the stands. The Alder bench could be seen telling the players to calm down and get back into the game, which they did.
MerseyRail restarted the game but were once again unable to get a shot of target due to the efforts of the Alder midfield and defence. The ball was in the MerseyRail half when the referee blew for full time. All the Alder players ran to each other, along with their subs. The team was going mad jumping on each other and celebrating the win.
After the quick celebrations, both Alder and MerseyRail shook hands along with the officials. Merseyrail stepped up first to receive their silver medals and Alder followed. The Alder captain stepped up with the co-captain and lifted the trophy with cheers from both players and the crowd. Team pictures where then taken and in a nice show of sportsmanship from the Alder girls, they asked the MerseyRail girls to get in a picture with them.
Overall it was a brilliant and entertaining game between two top teams. With over 200 people in attendance, it was a bench mark for women’s football.
Alder Quotes:
– Sometimes, a set of girls come together, who want to train and enjoy football, but most of all they want it more than the other team (Mick McMahon)
– A fantastic effort by the girls, done both themselves and the club proud. Hopefully the first of many. (Paul Barns)
SHE KICKS – the online community for women’s football
