Staffordshire Women’s County League Cup Semi Final. Shrewsbury Town 3 – Stone Dominoes 1: Stone Dominoes Ladies were knocked out of the League Cup on Sunday as two late Shrewsbury goals turned the tide in a tight game.
The strong wind made playing football difficult and prevented the Dominoes playing their usual passing game. Both teams struggled to get hold of the ball or keep possession. Stone piled on the pressure for much of the first half but few shots were taken and those that were fell wide of the target. Shrewsbury had a one-off break after Stone lost possession and from a corner bundled the ball home to take the lead.
After the break Stone came out a different side, passing the ball about, working hard off the ball and it soon paid off. Vikki Garner charged the ball down from the Shrewsbury defender, then taking on another defender, Garner set her sights on the goal and with her left foot smashed the ball past the keeper. Back in the game, the Dominoes were on top of the game for the next 10 minutes, with Mollie Prime and Laura Baskerville both causing havoc around the Shrewsbury defence. Central midfielders Jules Kendrick and Nat Price played well considering they were against three Shrewsbury midfielders, they played the ball around the pitch well and out to wingers Kerry McCourt and Mollie Prime, who both looked dangerous when on the ball.
Substitutions were made and continued the pressure on Shrewsbury as Stone looked for the next goal. A slight formation position change unsettled the midfield and Shrewsbury were allowed back into the game. A midfielder broke free from the defence, with central defenders unable to challenge for the ball, taking her shot across the keeper, Charlotte Perry pulled off a wonder save, diving to her left and palming the ball away for a corner. The corner came in and with the wind, looped over Perry’s head however Jules Kendrick headed off the line and Stone were able to break.
Possession was equal for both teams, with few chances coming to either side. But with 10 minutes left a Shrewsbury attacker broke free and managed to give Shrewsbury the lead. Stone changed their formation, going 3-4-3 to give a more attacking edge. Chances came for Garner, Prime and Kendrick but nothing was too challenging for the Shrewsbury keeper and the luck just wasn’t on the Dominoes side. Shrewsbury won another corner in the last few minutes of the game and took full advantage to extend their lead.
Player of the match was Becky Arnold for another impressive performance in the centre of defence.
[box type=”info” align=”aligncenter” ]Stone remain top of the league, however, and are away at Newcastle Town on Sunday 19th April, 2pm kick-off[/box]
