The girls lined up against the team from The Wirral with both squads a couple of key players down. After a frantic finish to the previous match against local rivals Stockport, the game got off to a relatively slow start. Finding themselves a goal down, the match was delayed after some strong defensive work by Mary resulted in an injury to one of the oppositions players.

Following a good equaliser from Aoife the home team began to build a steady lead. At 4-1 down Mellor sprang into action with the midfield trio of Miranda, Sophie and Aiofe competing well with strong charges the length of the field. Aimee pulled off a series of saves to foil Oxton and the game reached half time without either team adding to their tally.

Coach Emily Baythorpe’s half time team talk seemed to do the trick as Mellor came out all guns blazing. Aimee produced further good work in the goal. The younger players Annabel, Martha, Lucy and Katie competed well against their towering opposition. Amy’s dodging around goal and the teams patience paid off as Mellor pegged Oxton back to 4-4 with Aiofe bagging a further three Mellor goals.

Casually passing the ball out of defence, Mellor were growing in confidence. Emily K encouraged the team on from the touch line, who despite being on crutches following a training injury, had made the journey to support. The whole team continued to work well with good ground ball work from Harley and Anna.

Mellor perhaps feeling the effects of over 1 ½ hours play struggled to stay with Oxton who seemed to slip into another gear and extended their lead with the game finishing 9-4.

Dave Ramsbottom