After three successive wins and a hatful of goals, Watersiders were looking to sustain their promotion push against a youthful City of Portsmouth side today.

A capacity crowd (Rowena and Steve) at the Sports Centre were eagerly looking forward to this match up, with the Watersiders boasting a strong 14 woman squad. There was a debut for Rebecca and a return for Esther who had fully recovered from her horrific facial injury sustained a couple of weeks ago.

The first twenty minutes was evenly contested with both teams pressing but the defences standing firm. As the first half went on, Watersiders started to turn the screw exerting more pressure with some fine moves resulting in the CoP goalie making some good saves. Becca danced her way through the Portsmouth defence but a last gasp challenge from the defender preventing the opening goal of the match.

However CoP continued to press forward and were awarded a short corner just before the half time break. A good strike from the top of the D was cruelly deflected in off Nat who was guarding the left post. 0-1 to Pompey at the break.

CoP started the second half the stronger of the two sides, with the Watersiders being pressed back but again some good defending marshalled by Alex in goal and strong tackles by Cherry, Nat and Coolio kept them at bay. Watersiders then started to assert their high tempo pressing game forcing CoP to make mistakes which created some good chances for Katie, Kelly and Abbie. A short corner number 5 move nearly resulted in a goal for Becca but agin the CoP goalie denied the equaliser.

The match then turned on a highly contentious moment. A Waterside attack was broken up and the ball cleared down the pitch was picked up by the CoP winger. On hearing the umpire’s whistle both teams stopped however it was from the match on the next pitch. In the confusion that followed the CoP player carried on her run unchallenged and took a shot which was saved by Alex. The rebound was picked up by the same player who squared the ball to her team mate who scored. The goal was given and Waterside were fuming with the umpires but their protests were waved away.

Picking themselves up from this, Waterside continued to press and the pressure paid off when a clearance out of the D was picked up by Emma who then passed the ball through to Jo, who shimmied her way past the defender, rounding the goalie to fire into the net. Game on!

With only minutes left, Watersiders buoyed by the goal, went looking for the equaliser and were awarded a short corner. An excellent short corner routine was just agonisingly inches away from the equaliser by Katie. So close!!

The match ended 1-2, the Watersiders did not deserve to lose particularly to a dubious second goal. The team showed great fighting spirit with all 14 players playing their part. POM was deservedly awarded to Becca, with a fine array of passing and silky skills.

I’m sure though that today’s result will soon be quickly forgotten tonight at the Xmas do with one or two beverages and a few shapes being thrown on the dance floor (Kelly and moonwalking??).