Upminster remained at the top of T2 Group 1 after a somewhat scrappy win over Crostyx at Coopers on Sunday. After their high energy performances against Old Loughtonians and Blackheath and Elthamians in recent weeks Upminster had to show a different side to their game in this contest, but they still picked up their third win from three in the competition.
The home side began the game in their normal manner and forced a number of early short corners but Coco Thomas and Kara Smith were denied by the Crostyx keeper. Poppy Bates was dominating the midfield and it was no surprise when halfway through the first half she found Teagan Bunn on the right and her ball forward found Siena Zamora who calmly finished to give Upminster the lead. Bates played in Daisy Middlemiss soon after and she fired narrowly wide while Anya Shorter’s pace on the left flank was causing the visitors defence continual problems. However, as the half wore on Crostyx came into the game more, but fortunately for the home side Amber Stannard and Leila Wells were both enjoying excellent games in defence and were able to thwart a number of attacks, and when the visitors did find their way into the D Upminster keeper Caitlin Smith was on hand to clear the danger.
The second half began in the same vein as the first had, with Upminster on the attack and creating a number of opportunities. Coco Thomas made a powerful run forward before finding Eliza Bell whose shot was blocked well, while Thomas and Kara Smith unveiled a number of inventive short corner routines but were again denied on more than one occasion by the visiting keeper and Middlemiss then fired wide from a tight angle. The pace of Zamora and Grace Tilson was causing the visiting defence continual problems, but it was midfielder Bates who doubled the Upminster lead with 15 minutes to go, knocking home the rebound after her initial shot had been well saved. At this stage the game looked all over, but with Upminster beginning to tire Crostyx enjoyed a late renaissance, and with six minutes to go some hesitancy in the home defence allowed the visitors forward to scrambled the ball home and give her side hope. However, Upminster dug in and worked hard in the final minutes to ensure they continued their unbeaten start to the season. Next up is an exciting looking National Cup tie with Old Cranleighans next Sunday.
