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WWLFC 1 Stocklake 2 - Thursday 25th April 2002
report by Marion Lyon

Wycombe Wanderers Ladies lost a closely fought battle against Stocklake Ladies at Adams Park despite taking an early lead. In front of an enthusiastic crowd of just over 200, the team gave everything to maintain their position at the top of the table, but lacked a bit of luck on the night.
Heather Scutchings chases the ball at Adams Park with Su Oakley looking on
From the kick off Blues sought to dominate midfield and create chances for the league's top scorer Su Oakley to add to her tally and much of the play was in the air as both sides worked hard to challenge every ball. Both teams had early chances and both teams failed to convert. Stocklake have conceded only 10 goals all season and their sweeper put in tackle after tackle that denied Oakley and Heather Scutchings any time on the ball. The bigger pitch gave Sophy Bowden and Jeunine Bray space to run on the wings and it was Bowden and Scutchings following up an Oakley shot that gave Blues the lead as Scutchings claimed her 11th goal of the season. A late tackle gave the visitors a free kick 15 yards outside the area, but the shot was wide and Blues pushed forward again. Oakley looked like making it two just before the break as she got past the Stocklake defence only to send her shot skimming over the bar.
Jeunine Bray on the wing at Adams ParkIn an end to end game, Esther Morley and Marion Lyon in the centre of Blues defence, together with Nic Thorne and Helen Scourfield had plenty of work to do, combining well with the midfield to keep the ball at the Wycombe end as far as possible. For the first thirty minutes Blues probably had the better of the possession with Karyn Atkinson and Amanda Quintal covering a lot of ground, but as the half drew to a close Stocklake stamped their authority on the game and started passing the ball around comfortably.
Tracy Sturges played bravely in the Wycombe goal picking up several hefty knocks before, during and after the Aylesbury side's equaliser early in the second half; Sturges parried the original shot onto the woodwork but couldn't claim the loose ball which fell to the feet of the on-rushing forwards. Almost from the re-start Wanderers created a chance to equalise as Oakley carried the ball in from the left, cut inside the first defender, and then a second, before beating the keeper only to see her shot cleared of the line. Thorne's well-placed free-kick was headed just wide by Morley who arrived late at the near post and Blues' luck seemed to be running out. Stocklake broke quickly and were never shy of attacking in numbers, their good passing and movement always made them dangerous, but their second goal took advantage of a moment's indecision at the back that didn't reflect the excellent defending that characterised both teams' performances.
Stocklake attack the Wycombe goal during the second-halfWith twenty minutes to play Wycombe still saw a draw as a realistic possibility and manager Graham Malcolm brought on fresh legs to help grab an equaliser. Bray and Bowden were rested after great work on the flanks and Anna-Marie West & Leah Asante brought on. As half chances continued to be made at both ends, Malcolm pushed Thorne forward to change the balance of the team and the gamble very nearly came off. The crowd all saw a clear handball in the box that the referee didn't see; a free-kick slid down the side of the pitch was played between Oakley and Scutchings into space but the keeper made no mistake with the shot and the resulting corner went just wide of the post. Luck had deserted us, but our battling matched Stocklake's silky passing and we felt a draw would have been a fair result. The crowd was a great support throughout the game and were fantastic applauding the team off the pitch so generously. Thank you!
Final Score WWLFC 1 Stocklake 2
Teamsheet: Tracy Sturges (keeper), Nic Thorne, Helen Scourfield, Esther Morley, Marion Lyon, Karyn Atkinson, Amanda Quintal, Sophy Bowden, Jeunine Bray, Heather Scutchings, Su Oakley, Subs. Anna-Marie West, Leah Asante, Lindsey Beverley, Amy Watters, Emma Dean
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