After a tough opening fixture last weekend, Upminster Ladies 1st team made the long trip down the M20 [some via the Channel Tunnel] to face Folkestone at the Three Hills Sports Centre.
On a relatively warm late September afternoon, both teams found it hard to find any sort of rhythm with possession being turned over on numerous occasions. A few half chances had passed when a mistake from the U’s defence gave the ball straight to a Folkestone forward who made no mistake putting it past Upminster’s goalkeeper to take a 1-0 lead into the break.
With Upminster looking to push forward to get an early goal back, they were undone again when a hit into the ‘D’ was deflected in to give Folkestone a 2 goal lead. Then a lapse in concentration from a sideline ball saw Folkestone score their 3rd goal of the game. With nothing to lose, Upminster switched formation and started having a little more success. DOTM Slater pushed the U’s further up the pitch and POTM Simpson was able to effect the game higher up the pitch. The U’s other POTM Nugent took the initiative when she drove a quick free hit into the ‘D’ released the ball which fell kindly to Blackwell who made no mistake on the back post to pull a goal back with 12 mins to go.
Folkestone were reduced to 10 players when their midfielder was given a yellow card, which only invited further pressure onto the home team. Upminster had a 3 on 1 breakaway to get another goal back but the final ball was lacking once again and Folkestone managed to hold on to take all 3 points.
Upminster now face Chelmsford 2’s at home next week and look to get a win under their belts to kick start their faltering start to the season.
DOTM – Slater
POTM – Simpson/Nugent
