1st Half
Upminster Ladies and City of Peterborough’s (COP) early exchanges were confined to the midfield as both teams looked to gain a hold on the game, Drew Bailey and Megan Miller linked up well to apply early pressure on the COP Defence.
With Upminster pressing high up the field , COP were unable to make an inroads into the Upminster D as Upminsters Defence held firm and were quick to pick up on any loose passing , moving the ball around and clearing down field to mount another Upminster probing attack.
A brief lack of concentration allowed COP to threaten the Upminster D but their effort was well wide.
Some intricate passing found Liv Fransham bearing down on goal , with the COP GK quickly off her line Fransham was denied.
Keeping the pressure on the COP Defence Riva Siggins found herself in space out wide with time to drive towards the D, her cross field pass was swept in at the near post by Kerry Hodges as the GK closed her down. 1-0 20 mins.
With Upminster dominating possession Bailey, Imogen Hodges , Lucy Falzon and Siggins continued to probe and pass their way through towards the COP D.
With space to move forward into Lauren Slater – Harvey sent in a long range which tested the COP GK, whilst Siggins was put through first by Flazon and then by Alexa Marston, on both occasions the COP GK’s leg came to her rescue as she was able to deflect the shots away.
HT 1-0
2nd Half
COP began the half in a determined mood , raising their game and pressing Upminster back, the defence stayed strong denying any clear effort on goal. As Upminster settled Bailey & Siggins again linked up well with the COP Gk clearing another effort away.
With COP moving the ball quickly they were able to find space behind Upminster’s Defensive line, GK Triggs saving with her stick as the player attempted to go around her but unable to hold the ball and clear the danger COP’s pressure resulted in the first and only S/Corner of the game from which the straight strike hit the post.
Passing out of Defence Upminster looked to ease the pressure ,Miller & Siggins combined to send the ball into the D which was cleared ,Siggins then found herself in open space driving towards the D her ball into the area resulted in a scramble from which Izzy Uzal was the first to react to finish 2-0 on 53 Mins.
The ever dangerous Siggins was quickest to react and intercepted a pass her ball into the D was finished by Fransham 3-0 on 57 Mins.
With Upminster going down to 10 Players COP made the most of the advantage, moving forward a reverse stick effort from the edge of the D reduced the arrears to 3-1 on 60 Mins. Sensing Upminster were nervous COP pressure told as a lack of concentration in the area allowed COP to pounce and take the ball around the advancing GK Triggs to make it 3-2 on 64 Mins.
As COP pushed hard for the equaliser Upminster were able to find Siggins who continued to stretch the COP back line and run the clock down.
Result 3-2 Upminster
