My love

Tottenham

I arrive at kingsmeadow at 6pm and walk in with Sam as she pulled in the same time as me. We get to the changing rooms and get into our warm up kit. Emma tells us what we need to do and then we walk out to warm up. We go back in and Emma tells me I'm starting. I felt happy that I was being given the chance.

I look around the stadium and see a couple of the arsenal girls sat together. We go back in and have our team talk before walking back out to start the game.

I look around and absorb the atmosphere, it was amazing no wonder Chelsea always play amazing with the support of the fans, it really feels like a family and a home here.

The game kicks off and Sam passes to me, I run forward but a Tottenham defender tackles me and gets the ball, they start attacking and Beth England gets the ball and scores. We were already 1-0 down and it had only been three minutes.

I run up the pitch and Sam crosses the ball to me, I dribble past the midfielders and get outside the penalty box, I use all my force to kick the ball, I fall down as I kick it. But it goes in, I hear the Chelsea fans cheering my name and I immediately stand up and celebrate. The game was now equalised.
I hear Emma shouting at me "Ella get the ball from Millie" she says.

I put my arms up in the air to show I'm open and Millie crosses the ball to me, no defenders were around me and I thought I was offside but I kept running towards the goal. The goalkeeper ran out towards me to get it but missed, it was now an open goal and I had to move fast. I kick the ball in and goes in the left top corner. I run towards Sam and jump on her back, me and Sam only knew each other for not even 2 weeks, but she felt like my best friend, I knew her from playing against her obviously.

But I never knew her personally, she always seemed so happy and passionate about football and that inspired me. I aspired to be her, when I was 17. Since she played a couple more years before I played professionally, I always wanted to be her. Growing up we didn't have many women footballers to look to. The only time we would see them on the tv was England women. I knew what I wanted to do, I knew I wanted to be a footballer, and Sam was one of the first female footballers I ever aspired to. Other than Kelly smith and Alex Scott, Sam played a different game. She didn't see this as her job but infact something she loved. Not many times do you ask someone and they reply with I love my job. But with Sam, she's different.

The game starts again and we were winning 2-1. Beth England has the ball again and I see her running towards the defenders. I sprint down the wing and slide tackle her. I get the ball and pass the ball towards Sam. She scores making us in the lead 3-1.

At half time we walk into the changing rooms and Emma says "I love how we are playing, I can see the passion in all of you." As she says this, I change my boots. "Ella, I love the energy you put on the pitch. Them goals were amazing. Sam keep going and you can get some more goals"

"For this half, Ella your going to be attacking more okay"

I nod my head and we walk out, I walk with Jessie Fleming. "Why did you change your boots" she asks me.
"Superstition I guess" I reply
I run onto the pitch and take my position.

The game kicks off again and at 65 minutes, I run towards a spurs midfielder and tackle them. They fall over but I get the ball and keep running, the referee blows her whistle so I turn around. She was still on the floor so I go over to her and pat her back. I put my hand out for her to grab onto to stand up, but instead the medical team come over. The girls from Tottenham start coming towards me and shouting at me. I put my hands up in defence, the referee comes over and gives me a yellow card. She stands up and starts smirking at me.

I go to the referee and say "she was just faking it"
"Right okay" she replies
"She was just smirking at me, that's just time wasting" I say
"I'm sorry, we don't have var in these games. What do you want me to do?" She asks
"I want you to give her a yellow card" I say
"Your wasting time in the game now" sam comes over and pulls me away.

They get a free kick, but I end up winning the ball. I run towards their goal but before I get there Ashleigh Neville tackles me. I guess this was some sort of revenge for what I had done to her. She twists my ankle. I lie on the grass and they end up scoring. The referee blows her whistle and comes over to me, "your going to let that count. She's twisted my ankle" I say. I'm still on the ground and the medical team come over. They do an assessment on me then I stand up, she gives Ashleigh a yellow card but let's the goal count so it's 3-2. I limp to the side and try running on it, but it was too painful. They signal to Emma and I get substituted. I walk towards the bench and Emma says "you did a good job, I'm proud of you"
"Thanks Emma" I say and walk with the medical staff down the tunnel.

They check my ankle even more, but I hear a roar from the crowd. One of the medical staff gets the game on their phone, Ashleigh ended up getting a red card. I change into the Chelsea leggings and jumper, I walk back out limping and sit on the bench. Emma comes over and asks "how long you inured for"
"Depends when the next game is" I say
"Next week on Wednesday" she says
"I will have to see if my ankle feels better" I say
"Alright, well good game yeah" she says
"Yeah" I reply

Lauren James went on for me and scored a goal making us lead 4-2. The game ends and we stand in a huddle. "Very good game, well done girls. As my treat I want us all to have a little party, to celebrate Covid is over and our win"

We all shout team and then go see the fans, I take some photos. Before hopping over the barrier and going up to Beth,Viv, Gio, Teyah and Leah.

"I'm really sorry Ella" Teyah says.
"Hey don't worry about it" I reply
"You seem really happy" Beth says
"I really am, I love it here they are all amazing" I say
"You can tell" Viv says
"It's like my love for football has grown, if that's even possible" I say
They laugh at me and gio looks at me, probably because I hadn't told her about me and Leah being back together. "G, pia called the other day. You flying to Brazil sometime?" I ask
"My flights next Tuesday and Rafas is Thursday"
"I'll go with Rafa, if my ankles okay. If not I'll come with you because I have a game on Wednesday" I say
"Did she hurt you" Leah asks
"Nah, it's all part of the game isn't it" I say
"I better go, me and the Chelsea girls are having a party tonight. I won't be home till late, I hope that's okay" I say, mostly aimed at Leah.
"Yeah, no that's fine" she replies
"I'll come back to change though, then we are going" I say.
She smiles at me and I give them all a hug before walking back. Sam looks at me and runs to me. I jump onto her.

Leah's POV
I see her walking down the steps back towards the pitch. Sam starts running towards her and Ella jumps onto her. I say to Beth "is there something going on between them?"
"She's with you Leah, and Sam she's with Kristie. They just look like friends" Beth replies
My phone starts ringing, it was my mum "hello"
"Hiya, sweetie everything okay?" She says to me
"Yeah, what about you" I ask and sit a couple rows infront away from the girls because most people wanted their shirts signing or a photo.
"I'm sorry" she says, her voice cracking and I can hear small cries.
"Mam, what's happened" I say. I start to shake endlessly.