Godfrey grabs hat-trick as Town Ladies 1st XI put seven past Ashbourne
LOUGHBOROUGH Town Ladies 1st XI made the journey to Ashbourne on Saturday hoping to continue their unbeaten start to the season.
Although Town enjoyed the majority of the early possession, Ashbourne did well to break down Town’s attacks and frustrate the forwards. Despite spending a lot of time in Ashbourne’s circle, the sheer quantity of Ashbourne players there made it difficult for Town to get a strike on goal.
The best early chance fell to Georgina Godfrey from a penalty corner – a fast injection from Zoe Hainsworth allowed Godfrey to power a straight strike down to the keeper’s left that would have given Town the 1-0 lead if it wasn’t for a fantastic goal-line save by the post player.
Minutes later, Ashbourne almost took the lead for themselves as a counter attack allowed their forward to have a strike on goal – a smart save from Harriet Galpin kept the scores level.
As the half ticked by, Town finally had a break through from another penalty corner. Emily Hill’s strike from the right slip position was initially parried by the keeper, only for Ashleigh Godfrey to sweep the ball home on the reverse to give Town the deserved 1-0 lead. Just before half time Town went 2-0 up when Hill’s baseline drive set up Georgina Godfrey on the penalty spot, who made no mistake in her strike to seal her first goal of the game.
Resolving at half time to exploit the space on offer, Town returned to the pitch for the second half with renewed determination and energy. Although Ashbourne set up as they had in the first half, Town’s increased movement off the ball and fast pace meant that the home side struggled to contain their attacks.
Before long, Town took the 3-0 lead courtesy of Zoe Hainsworth who pounced onto a loose ball in the circle. Minutes later, Georgina Godfrey got her second of the morning from another straight strike off a penalty corner. Although Town now seemed completely unstoppable as they enjoyed attack after attack, Ashbourne still looked threatening.
However, Town defended well to keep their clean sheet intact – Sabby Choi on her first appearance for the 1st XI producing a commanding performance at centre back, earning her woman of the match.
Despite Ashbourne’s best efforts, Town could not be contained and another fantastic team effort saw Georgina Godfrey seal her hat-trick with a neat strike low into the corner. Now with a 5-0 lead, Town did not show signs of letting up.
A fantastic move in midfield from Hannah McCleery set up Emily Hill with a one on one with the keeper, but Town were denied the 6-0 lead with some smart goalkeeping. However, Town did not have to wait long for their sixth – this time Emily Burgwin weaved through five players in the crowded Ashbourne circle before finishing with a reverse strike underneath the keeper.
At the other end of the field, Town’s defence worked hard to frustrate Ashbourne, keeper Galpin pulling off a fine diving stick save to protect her goal. Ashbourne’s frustration continued to rise and they were reduced to 10 players after their defender saw a green card for dissent. Moments later a rugby style tackle from another Ashbourne player saw them down to 9 players as a yellow card was brandished by the umpire.
Ashbourne’s misery was complete when a fast run by Georgie Adcock on the wing found Zoe Hainsworth in the circle who smartly played the ball onto a tired Ashbourne player’s foot, earning Town another penalty corner.
This time, Georgina Godfrey’s strike was denied by the keeper, but only as far as the stick of Zoe Wright whose quick reactions allowed her to turn the ball into the goal on the post for her first Town goal and the 7-0 win.
At the final whistle, Town emerged triumphant after an emphatic display, setting them up perfectly for a tough home game next weekend against Nottingham Trent University 1st XI.