ARDROSSAN Ladies first team travelled to Cumbernauld after a two week break and produced a first class display against tricky opposition.
The girls attacked from the first whistle and put the Cumbernauld goalkeeper under pressure with shots from Daniela Young and Fiona Matthews. Fiona opened the scoring with a reverse stick flick over the goalkeeper’s head into the far corner after she had blocked Fiona’s first effort from a Linny Fisher pass. Shortly afterwards, Fiona Matthews was played through by Lauren Stevenston, she evaded two defenders before lifting the ball high towards goal. Amanda Stewart was on hand at the back post to ensure it went in. Daniela Young added a third before halftime after good link up play between Tara Mair and Fiona Matthews. Daniela also hit the post, again from a clever pass from Tara Mair.
Cumbernauld got one back from a short corner just after the break but Ardrossan replied in minutes as Linny Fisher sped up the wing, played a release pass to Fiona Matthews whose powerful cross was met by Daniela at the back post. The Ardrossan defence were coping well with the Cumbernauld attack up until now, with newcomer Isla Thomson fitting in well in the back four alongside Kirsty Dunlop and Chantelle Fisher. Both full backs, Eilidh Smith and Laura Mackie had fine games and prevented any attack up the wings. They did put pressure on the Ardrossan defence but Mhairi Dale in the Ardrossan goal pulled off a string of good saves but couldn’t do anything with an untidy Cumbernauld strike to make the score 4-2. This spurred the Ardrossan girls on and after that there was only going to be one winner as Daniela Young and Fiona Matthews both added one apiece to their goal tally after some excellent two touch play.
A great team effort against a team who were a thorn in their side last season. Lots of positives from the game with Linny Fisher and Lauren Stevenston’s pace causing all sorts of problems in the wide positions. Tara Mair had a hand in three of the goals will quick thinking and accurate passing. Jenna Gossman and Kirsty Blackwood were strong in midfield, breaking up any attack through the middle and playing some delightful passes to the strikers, but Cumbernauld had no answer to the Ardrossan strikers, who were on top form on Saturday. Player of the match was Fiona Matthews, with undoubtedly the goal of the season and Linny Fisher was voted the opposition’s player of the match.
Squad: M Dale; K Dunlop, L Mackie, J Gossman, E Smith, K Blackstock, L Stevenston, C Fisher, I Thomson, F Matthews, L Fisher (Capt); A.Stewart, T.Mair, D Young. Coach: W Dorrian, Assisant Coach: C.Jenkins.
ARDROSSAN second team’s game away to Arran, was cancelled due to adverse weather conditions.