Baileans continue good start to 2015 with win over Lichfield

This was always going to be a tough game against a very physical Lichfield side who are having an excellent first season in the Midland Premier.

It was Matlock who made the most positive start and within the first few minutes they were in the lead.

After some good work down the right hand side, the ball was drilled into the circle, knocked on by Sarah Wain and then picked up by Leyanne Beacham who turned her defender and slotted the ball into the net on her reverse stick.

From the re-start Lichfield came out hard and Matlock were under constant pressure until half-time but held on to their lead.

The second-half proved to be no different and Matlock were unable to get the game under their control.

Lichfield kept coming and won several short corners which Matlock managed to keep out with some excellent saves from Ali Milyard.

Jodie Carson worked tirelessly in midfield and Lisa Beacham displayed some top class defending.

Things only got harder, with two players receiving yellow cards and Matlock having to endure two periods with ten players.

Eventually, with ten minutes to go Lichfield broke through the middle of the Matlock defence in open play and equalised.

It was looking like the best Matlock could hope for was a draw. However, Baileans finally started to get a hold on the game and with six minutes left some fantastic team play was rewarded.

The ball was picked up in the centre of midfield and moved out to Laura Boddy before being worked into the D and confidently finished off by player of the match Sarah Wain to score and seal a win that Matlock desperately needed.

Baileans fifths were away to Burton fourths and having conceded 22 goals to Burton this season knew they were in for a tough encounter.

This time, however, they defended well throughout to secure a 0-0 draw.

Burton attacked from the start but with Helen Greer and Janice Bush deployed in defence alongside Gaye Smedley and Lindsay Allen, they formed a formidable quartet.

Liz English, usually a midfielder, was playing in goal and was also in resilient form.

After a goalless first half Matlock created more in the second but couldn’t find a way through whilst at the same time holding firm at the back to secure the draw.

Player of the match was Anna Rowson-Jones