Heavy rain had presented a challenge to the line marking team who had worked through the night to ready the pitch for today’s clash. The muddy conditions had brought out a fine selection of coaching footwear, some more suited to the building site than the sports field. Once the Mellor ref had finished his brew and parked the dog we were ready for a prompt start.

After a spirited start Mellor soon found themselves a goal down. With only one sub it looked like a long morning a head. Mellor would need to come from behind to secure a win. Aimee produced some good early saves and Annabel battled well against Oxton’s tall no.12 to help Mellor weather the early storm.

Amy R produced an equaliser from an acute angle but celebrations would be short lived, with the opposite steadily extending their lead during the first half. Emily K competed well at the restarts and Miranda produced a number of strong runs to bring the ball out of defence.

Aiofe the midfield playmaker battled well to carry the team forward, with both teams denied a couple of goals by a combination of great saves and muddy goal mouths. Lucy, Anna and Matilda battled strongly amongst the towering opposition. Amy R’s tricky manoeuvres from behind goal played off to add a second goal

Despite the impressive interchanges between Aiofe and Miranda and some strong work in midfield from Sophie, Oxton extended their tally to six at half time.

After the half time briefing from Jess, Jenny and Emily B, the second half saw a strong start from the home team. Emily N rallied the defence worrying the Wirral team who struggled to find the form that they’d had in the first half.

Patsy and Maya, in only her second game, both showed great spirit helping to hold the opposition for much of the second half. With Aoife back on Mellor pushed forward and the team’s hard work was rewarded by a third goal when Miranda finished with confidence following a precise pass from behind the net.

A slight lack of focus led to Mellor conceding three late goals, producing a final score which perhaps didn’t fully reflect the closeness of the game. A well-deserved man of the match award went to the midfield stalwart and matches captain Sophie Heeds.

Thanks to Ris for manning the kitchen and all the parents for their catering input.

Dave Ramsbottom