Flirting with success

Chapter 5

It's match day. I'm terrified but yet still excited. Despite having played in the WSL before, It was always as the underdog. Now, being the favourite to win, there is an increased pressure to perform. I started my day with a traditional match day breakfast of beans on toast. My nutritionist would be severely disappointed but this did not phase me.

Whilst waiting for my toast to pop I got out my phone and started to rewatch footage of our opponents. I must have watched several hours by now but it helps steady my nerves. Somehow I had to figure out how to get the better of Gilly Flaherty. Gilly is a very experienced defender who doesn't make it easy for attackers. I've only come up against her once at Bristol. She had a way of frustrating me even when I didn't have the ball. Thankfully, my new teammates have experience playing alongside Gilly so they know some weaknesses I can exploit.

The morning went by in a flash. Before I knew it we were on the way to the CFA for a 2pm kickoff. The atmosphere in the changing room on game day is completely different. A new set of people emerge not at all like the people in training. Banter is the heartbeat of the club during the week but a deaf tone silenced the room. Nick arrived and gave us a final run through tactics. Having worked hard in the week despite distractions I had cemented myself in the starting lineup.  Once he had finished captain Steph offered me some words of wisdom and soon after we left for the pitch.

The game started pretty slow. Possession is the main principle in city's game. They never force the ball through the thirds but hold it at the back and and tease the opposition forward allowing us to expose them in behind. It wasn't until the 23rd minute when I got my first significant touch of the ball. Caroline had weaved it through midfield before passing it out to Lauren in the wing. She sent in a pinpoint cross which I headed towards goal forcing a save from the keeper. 

With Caz stood over the ball ready to take the corner, I felt a presence pushing against my back. It was Gilly. Natural instinct kicked in and I pushed back in resistance which led the ref to pause play and have a word. This is exactly the mind games that she is so good at. Having got in my head I was unable to make something of the corner which was easily cleared.

To their credit West Ham were holding up unusually well to the growing city pressure. The game continued, by now I had found my feet and started to get into my rhythm. Shortly before half time I was able to get on the end of a cross, this time beating the keeper putting city up 1:0.

The whistle blew and we went into the changing rooms. Despite being ahead at the break Nick wasn't pleased with the performance. He was quite strict in his team talk. A disappointed manager is something I'm more used to.

We started the second half with wind in our sails. It was clear that after a good first half performance the heads of West Ham had dropped. This allowed us to get the better of them. Our midfield were continuing to penetrate the back line sending in glorious balls. Unfortunately I couldn't take advantage of them. I could see Gilly getting more and more frustrated. The next ball that came in left just Gilly and the goalie standing between me and a debut brace. Using all the tricks in the locker I got past Gilly. Before I knew it I was brought flat to the ground.

A roar from the fans shook the stands of the academy stadium. Rolling around on the floor in pain i wasn't entirely sure what was happening. The physios rushed onto the pitch. As a precaution I was subbed off. It wasn't until I was off the pitch that I realised Gilly had been shown a red card. On the way down the tunnel towards the physio room we exchanged a heated conversation that was picked up by the dugout cameras.

With their captain missing from the game West Ham crumbled. Eventually the game finished 4:0. Janine converted the penalty I had won whilst Georgia came on to score two of her own.

With an upcoming match against Arsenal will Sophie continue to make enemies of her opposition or will she form a different relationship with her opponent?