Match Reports

Sun 1st April

Great Horwood 7 Water Eaton 0

On a sunny Sunday morning at Castle Fields the girls entertained Water Eaton in a league fixture with a full squad available for the first time this season. Horwood had easily won a friendly against the same opposition earlier in season so the girls were confident of a positive result. From the first whistle the girls were quickly into the game with Rihanne and Katie T making surging runs from midfield but couldn’t find the target. The defence was strong and assured with the ever dependable Georgie and Lara protecting Amber in goal, Katie L joined Rihanne and Katie T in midfield and Millie was the lone striker. The home team’s pressure told when another forceful run from her own half saw Katie T go one on one with the Water Eaton keeper and she finished in style. It was now all Horwood and minutes later Katie T scored another with a similar run and finish. Subs were made midway through the half with Sarah, Chloe and Evie replacing Georgie, Katie L and Millie. Just before the break Rihanne added a third with a good run and strong finish to make the half time a score 3-0.

At half time changes were made again and Rihanne, Katie T and Lara were rested and Horwood set up with Georgie and Sarah in defence, Evie, Chloe and Katie L in midfield and Millie up front. The girls continued to push forward looking for more goals and some nice passing saw Millie set up Evie to score the 4th. Changes were again made and Rihanne came back on to score a 5th from distance and Lara got into the goal scoring fun to make it 6-0 with her first league goal after a determined run and smashed finish. Water Eaton cause a few problems on the counter attack but on the occasions they did break through Amber was always on hand to snuff out any danger. The girls rounded off an excellent display with a 7th goal scored by a very happy Katie Lee with a smart finish at the back post for her first goal for the team. So Horwood ran out 7-0 winners with all 10 girls playing their part in a superb team effort, player of the match went to Rihanne for another all action performance but from 1 to 10 the girls all played an excellent match.

Sat 10^th March

Great Horwood 3 Preston Gawcott 0

 Horwood got back to winning ways with a good win over local rivals Preston Gawcott at home. The girls started with Amber in goal, Rihanne and Georgie in defence with Katie T, Katie L and Chloe in midfield and Millie up front. Horwood were soon on the front foot and Katie T went close twice with shots into the side netting. But another forceful run from midfield saw Horwood take the lead when Katie T shot hit the post and the unfortunate defender miss-kicked to score an own goal. Horwood continued to create chances but just couldn’t score a second goal before half time.

 The second half saw Evie replace Millie up front and Sarah coming on in defence which allowed Rihanne to play in her favoured midfield role. It wasn’t long before Rihanne was causing the visitors trouble and she made it 2-0 with a long range effort. Preston Gawcott came back into the game with a couple of quick breakaways but Sarah, Georgie and Katie L kept them out with the help of Amber in goal who had very little to do. The home team pushed for the killer 3^rd goal and with Rihanne and the fast improving Chloe dominating the midfield allowing Evie to score from the tightest of angles off the far post to her delight. So a comfortable victory and the opposition gave the Player of the Match to Rihanne for another great performance and also mentions for Chloe and Sarah who played their best games to date. 

Sat 26^th Feb

Great Horwood 0 MK City Jades 2

 After a heavy defeat the previous week Horwood had cause for concern when MK City Jades were next up, after the heavy defeat to them in the away fixture. Horwood were also without Lara and Katie T and only had 8 players available to make the task even harder. After a quick team talk to boast morale it was into battle with the team in orange and the Horwood Girls looked up for the fight. The home team managed to hold firm in the opening moments of the match but were always on the back foot with Rihanne and Georgie working hard in defence. The 3 girls deployed in midfield helped out with Chloe, Sarah and Evie battling hard against the physically bigger opponents. The visitors played some nice football and took the lead early in the half and then doubled it shortly after which has the home crowd worried about another heavy loss. But the girls dug in and managed to take the game to the opposition with Millie doing the front running. Katie L came off the bench and immediately took the game to the visitors with some excellent direct play, but as the half ended Horwood were unable to get a goal back and the half time score was 2-0 to the Jades.

 Another quick chat at half time gave the Girls more belief and it was the home team that looked good now playing some nice passing football and really having a go at the previously dominate visitors. With Rihanne bursting out from defence, Katie L wonder runs and Evie and Chloe working hard in midfield Horwood were now on top. But the Jades were always dangerous on the break and it took a world class save from Amber in goal to keep the score at 2-0. Horwood continued to push forward with Millie and Chloe nearly finishing in a goal mouth scramble but it wasn’t to be and the match finish in a 2-0 defeat. But the Girls all played well and can take great credit from a excellent second half, player of the match was a close call again with Katie L just pipping Amber to the prize.

Sat 18^th Feb

Woburn Lionesses 4 Great Horwood 0

 After a few weeks off due the snow and frost Horwood were back in action away to the Woburn Lionesses first team at Wavendon Gate. The previous meeting between the two teams saw Horwood lose a closely fought match 4-3 but this was a different match. From the first whistle the Home team were on the front foot and Horwood had to fight hard to keep the much improved Woburn team at bay. With Georgie and Rihanne working hard in defence and Chloe, Katie T and Evie helping out from midfield Horwood managed to keep at bay but it was difficult to get forward and Millie was a lonely figure up front. Eventually the home team took the lead with a good goal which beat Amber in goal.

 Into the second half and Woburn took complete control with the Horwood girls struggling to get into the game, Katie L join the action and helped out at the back but the home team were strong and add another 3 goals during the half. Horwood did break out on a couple of occasions but never really trouble the opponents goal. The match end 4-0 to the home team but it could have been so much worse if not for some robust defending from Goergie and some excellent saves from Amber, which made her this weeks player of the week.

Sat 28^th Jan

Woburn Lionesses Blue 0 Great Horwood 1 (Rihanne)

Horwood were looking to continue their good form with an away match at the newly formed Woburn Lionesses Blue team on a cold morning. The game started with Horwood on top with the advantage of playing downhill the Girls pressed looking for the opening goal. They were camped out in the home teams end for most of the half but couldn’t find their way passed an inspired home Goalkeeper. Katie T, Evie and Millie all went close but could beat the keeper, we stayed defensively solid with Chloe, Rihanne, Katie L and Georgie holding any breakaways up and Keeper Amber had little to do.

In the second half Horwood were playing up the slope but still looked the more likely team to score. Again Millie was close to scoring again and visiting supporters started to wonder if it was going to be one of those days. As Horwood continued to press Woburn did manage to break away on the attack a couple of times, but Amber kept her concentration in goal and made a couple of good saves. Horwood’s domination eventually paid off when Rihanne pick up the ball in midfield and set off on her now renowned massy runs, and finished it of with an excellent strike into the bottom corner. Horwood held on to win a their first away game of the season and deserved the win. Player of the week went to Millie for an excellent display playing up front on her own.

Sat 21^st Jan

Great Horwood 1 (Rihanne) City Belles 0

 After a 6 week break for Christmas and some weather effected cancelations Horwood got back into league action with a match against City Belles at home. Earlier in the season these teams played out a closely fought match with the Belles won 2-1, could Horwood revenge that defeat?

The home team started brightly with Amber in goal, Georgie and Rihanne in defence, Katie L and Katie T in midfield and Chloe and Millie up front. The improving Horwood girls continued to boss the first half and were rewarded when the excellent Rihanne burst out of defence and surged up the pitch beating a couple of players before hammering home an unstoppable shot from the edge of the box. Horwood nearly doubled their lead when the Belles keeper did well to save shot from Millie. The home team were looking good and Chloe was starring as the half ended.

 Into the second half and Horwood started well again but the second goal would not come and the visitors started to come back into the game. With Evie and Sarah both coming on it was becoming a hard battle after a first half of such dominance. But as a team the girls defended well and if the defence was beaten Amber was on hand to keep them out with another good display in goal. Horwood only had a couple of quick counter attacks but with a strong defensive performance saw the girls hold onto their lead and ran out 1-0 winners.

 An excellent win in a game of two halves, special mentions to Rihanne for an excellent goal and Chloe for her best performance to date. The team all enjoyed the hard battle and the win, with hopefully more to come in the next matches.

Sat 11^th Dec

Great Horwood 0 Tattenhoe Youth Tigerlillies 1

 After being heavily beaten by the same team in the cup the previous week Horwood welcomed Tattenhoe Youth to Manor Fields. Horwood boasted a full squad of 10 for only the second time this season and the tactics were changed to hopefully reduce the threat of the Tattanhoe goal scoring machine. With Lara starting as a marker on the visitors main striker it seemed to unsettle the opposition and Horwood battled well with Katie L and Goergie playing strongly in defence with Lara enjoying her girl marking role. Katie T and Rihanne were playing well in midfield with Evie doing a good job as the lone striker. But just before half time a quick break gave the visitors a chance which they took to make it 1-0 at half time.

 Into the second half and Horwood really made a great effort for an equaliser, with fresh legs coming on with Millie, Sarah and Chloe coming on and working hard. Horwood came close to scoring with Rihanne and Katie T both testing the keeper. But Tattenhoe were still dangerous on the break but Amber would not be beaten again in the Horwood goal and made some excellent saves. The girls continued to flood forward in the last minutes looking for a deserved leveller but the visitors stood firm and the game ended in another defeat to Tattenhoe but in a completely different manner.

 An excellent effort by the girls with Lara taking the man of the match honours for her girl marking job with left the visitors goal machine goalless,

Sat 3^rd Dec

Tattenhoe Youth Tigerlillies 7 Great Horwood 0

 Great Horwood U10 Girls went into the cup match against Tattenhoe Youth full of optimism after their first league win the week before but were brought down to earth with a bump. The girls found themselves up against a well drilled side with most of the opposition being u10 compared to Horwood’s mainly u9 squad. The Tattenhoe team also boasted a talented striker who gave the Horwood defence a real tough time. Playing up a slope in the first half Horwood were not overly upset at the 3-0 score line and hoped to use the slope to their advantage in the second half. But Tattenhoe never let the Horwood girls settle and powered in another 4 unanswered goals to dump Horwood out of the Cup at the first round. The girls did keep going to the end of the match but were just no match for bigger team and the striker who scored 6 of the 7 goals.

Sat 27^th Nov

Great Horwood 3 (Rihanne, Evie, Millie) Mortonville 0

 Great Horwood U10 Girls team won their first league match with an excellent 3-0 victory over a Mortonville side who had only suffered 1 pervious defeat this season. On a bright but windy morning at Manor Fields the Horwood girls produced their best performance to date. The game started with Katie T in goal as regular keeper Amber was available and the rock solid Georgie and Katie L in defence. With a strong midfield pair of Rihanne and Lara who was making her league debut and Evie and Chloe playing up front. Horwood were soon dominating with Rihanne running the game from midfield and it was just that Rihanne opened the scoring with a well taken goal. The home team continue to press forward with the knowledge that the home goal was being well protected by the two Katie’s and Georgie. Just before the half time whistle Horwood made it 2-0 when Evie pounced a loose ball in the box to fire home.

The second half started with Horwood still in control but the visitors did start to create some pressure on the Horwood goal but Katie T would not be beaten making some great saves. Georgie was joined by Rihanne in defence and both helped to stop Mortonville’s attacks. Lara and Evie were tackling hard in midfield whilst Chloe was joined by Mille up front and they both battled well to keep Horwood on the front foot. Horwood came close to increasing the lead with good efforts from Lara, Evie and Rihanne and it was pleasing to see the girls passing the ball well and again getting back on top. Their dominance was repaid when the fast improving Millie burst through two defenders and placed a shot into the corner of the net for her first goal, 3-0 to Horwood and the win was secured.

 An excellent performance by all 8 girls with Katie T being voted player of the match by the opposition for her excellent display in goal, but it could have gone to any of the girls as they all played their part. With 3 more matches before the Christmas break surely another win with come soon with the girls continued improvement.

Sat 12^th Nov

Great Horwood 0 MK City Jades 6

After a couple of close defeats Horwood had hoped to produce a positive result against a team they had had a couple of close battles in friendly matches. But it was not to be as the Jades were on top from the first whistle to the last against a Horwood side that looked more than a little jaded themselves. The first half was very forgettable with the Jades scoring 4 unanswered goals to leave Horwood 4-0 down at the break.

A stern half time team talk seemed to bring the girls back to life and they play well at the start of the second half, creating a few chances but it just wasn’t going to be Horwood’s day. As the half wore on the Jades again started to take command and scored twice more to make it 6-0, it would have been more if not for a player of the match performance from keeper Amber. No game next week so back to the training ground for some much needed practise, but the girl’s did stay positive afterwards and are looking forward to putting things right against Mortonville next time out.

Sat 5^th Nov

Great Horwood 1 (Katie T) Cranfield Colts 2

 It was back into league action this week as Great Horwood played Cranfield Colts at home. The visitors arrived with a large squad which boasted more U10 than U9 against the mainly u9 Horwood squad, but the Horwood girls were unperturbed by this as the match started. The first half was a close affair with both teams attacking in waves and coming close to scoring, but it was the visitors who scored first with a swift counter attack to go 1-0 up. Horwood fought back and before the half time whistle were back on level terms when Katie T burst through Cranfield’s defence and fired home, 1-1 at half time.

 Into the second half and both teams pressed looking to take the lead, Horwood coming closest with Evie, Rihanne and Katie T all going close. But luck again deserted Horwood for the second consecutive match as the winner was an unfortunate own goal when a Cranfield cross was unluckily deflected into her own net by Katie L. Horwood came close to equalising with the visiting keeper making a excellent save from Rihanne and Katie T’s long range lob just missing the target.

 A really good performance from all the girls, Amber with some great saves in goal with her ever reliable and strong defence of Katie L, Georgie and Sarah. In midfield Katie and Rihanne playing some nice football and Millie, Evie and new recruit Chloe putting in the running up front. With some luck surely due to the girls that first win is just around the corner, that combined with their determination and team spirit the future looks good for the girl’s.

Sat 30^th Oct

Great Horwood 8 (Katie T (2), Rihanne (2), Lara, Sarah, Evie, OG) Water Eaton 1

 After a month with no match a friendly was arranged to sharpen the Girl’s up before the league matches restart. Horwood looked sharp and bossed the match from the start with Millie going close to scoring on 2 occasions before Lara and Katie T both scored excellent goals. Horwood played well and with Georgie and Katie L at the back stopping any Water Eaton breaks the first quarter ended with Horwood winning 2-0. Changes were made for the second quarter as Horwood boasted a full squad of 10 players including new recruit Chloe who played well in her first match. Water Eaton showed some nice play during this quarter and pulled a goal back but couldn’t score again with Amber making some fine saves to keep Horwood 2-1 up at half time.

 Into the second half and Horwood really put Water Eaton under pressure from the start and forced an unfortunate own goal before lightening strikes from Rihanne and Katie T made the game safe. More changes were made into the fourth quarter and more goals followed with Sara, Evie and Rihanne scoring to make it 8-1 to Horwood. An excellent match played in superb spirit by both teams and a bumper crowd was on hand to enjoy the game. Horwood can look forward to the league matches ahead with confidence after a strong performance

Sat 24^th Sept

City Belles 2 Great Horwood 1 (Rihanne)

Great Horwood played City Belles at their Melbourne pitch in their first away match of the season. Horwood again only had the bare 7 players available against City Belles squad of 9 so it would again be a full 40mins for all the girl’s. Horwood lined up with Katie T in goal with Rihanne, Georgie and Katie L in defence, Millie and Sarah in midfield and Evie up front.

It was Horwood who started on the front foot with all players passing the ball around nicely but just couldn’t find a way to goal. City Belle grew into the match and started to test the visitors defence, and from a corner took the lead when Katie.L clearance was unfortunately block and the rebound flew into the net giving Katie.T no chance in goal. Horwood continue to press and scored a deserved equaliser when Rihanne controlled their keeper’s clearance and fired home from distance to make it 1-1.

The second half started with Horwood under pressure, but the defenders Katie.L, Georgie and Rihanne held firm with the help of the tireless Sarah and ever improving Millie in midfield. City Belles kept up the pressure on Horwood and it told in the end when a high ball into the box was inadvertently sliced into her own net by Rihanne, 2-1 to City Belles. Rihanne came close to an equaliser in the dying minutes and Evie too had a shot just flash wide but the match ended with the home team winning 2-1.

Another strong display by Horwood and the first points can’t be too far away after 2 good performances. Player of the match was given to Sarah for her hard working midfield performance.

Sat 17^th Sept

Great Horwood 3 (Evie 2, Katie T) Woburn Lionesses 4

Great Horwood’s first ever Girl’s team made there league debut at home against Woburn Lionesses in the Buck’s Girls U10 North Division. With only the bare 7 players available for the first match Horwood started with a 3-2-1 formation with Amber Cox in goal, Sarah Mullins, Georgie Kilkenny and Rihanne Rush at the back, Katie Thrift and Millie Tyrell in midfield and Evie Sirett up front.

The home team got off to an excellent start passing the ball around nicely and deservedly went into the lead when Katie T played Evie through to beat the keeper at her near post. Horwood then doubled their advantage when Evie hammered the ball home from 10 yards to make it 2-0 midway through the first half. But Woburn began to get back into the game putting the Horwood defence under pressure but Rihanne, Georgie and Sarah keeping them at bay, but when the visitors did get through the Horwood defence Amber was on hand to keep them out. As the half drew to an end Woburn managed to get a goal back to make the score 2-1 at the break.

The second half started with the visitor setting the pace and before long they had equalised with a well taken goal. But Horwood were still determined and again went back into the lead when Millie passed to Evie who crossed for the dangerous Katie T to smash the ball home to put Horwood back into the lead. As the half wore on it the visitors started to take control with a squad of 11 players at there disposal, to Horwood’s 7 girl’s who were starting to feel the pace and tire a little. Woburn equalised for the second time and with only 4 minutes to go scored again to make it 4-3, the Horwood girl’s pushed forward again to try and find the equaliser they deserved but could find a way through.

A disappointing defeat but many positives to taken from a really good team performance which just came up a little short. Evie was given the player of the match for her 2 goals and an assist but all the girls deserved credit a courageous effort.