Sunday August 22nd, 2010
Radcliffe Borough, National Division
Rovers Ladies 4-4 Watford
Rovers Ladies kicked off the new Women's Premier League season with a dramatic 4-4 draw at home to Watford.
The visitors looked set to steal the points after coming back from 3-1 down to lead 4-3, but newly-appointed captain Nicky Twohig headed home in the dying seconds to secure a share of the spoils.
The roller-coaster encounter started in Rovers' favour midway through the first half. Katie Anderton played an intelligent pass down the left to Danielle Sheen, who cut inside before smashing the ball into the bottom corner.
Bang on half-time and the visitors struck level. A ball into the box was only half cleared out to the left and Charlotte Young's miscued cross looped into the top corner of the goal.
However, Rovers regained their lead 10 minutes into the second half. Charlotte Heyes whipped in a free-kick, Anderton let the ball run and it nestled in the far corner of the net.
Just past the hour mark and the hosts added a well-worked third. After a neat passage of possession, the ball was worked to Nicole Emmanuel 30 yards out and the new vice-captain drove through the centre of the defence, before rounding the keeper and slotting home.
But with Rovers cruising, the Hornets struck back with three goals in quick succession. Emmanuel headed a free-kick behind, with a Watford player stood offside.
However, the referee ignored the linesman's flag and a quickly-taken corner was finished off by Cori Daniels.
A minute later, a cut-back from the byline was smashed against Jenna Carroll's arm and a penalty was awarded. Cally Newell stepped up to score from the spot.
And the turnaround was complete nine minutes from time when Sarah Wilshire latched onto a ball in behind, before finishing well.
As Rovers launched a late onslaught, Krystal Parker produced a superb save to keep the score at 4-3. And three minutes into time added on, Levi Penny swung over a corner and Twohig (pictured) rose highest to power home the equaliser.
Manager Adam Lakeland said: "For me, my players won the game. The officials haven't helped us and as a result, Watford have gone home with a point.
"Only one team deserved to win and we can take a lot of positives from our performance.
"Our attacking play was good, we created lots of chances and looked dangerous going forward and from set-plays. We were the fitter team of the two and finished strongly.
"The only negative is that a big decision has gone against us and swung the game in Watford's favour. From then on, too many of our experienced players lost their shape and discipline, and Watford scored two quick goals as a result.
"That 10-minute spell has cost us two points. However, the way my players responded from going 3-1 up to 4-3 down, to then nick a point in the last minute, shows the character and never say die attitude this group has got. And that could prove to be a very important point come the end of the season.
"I've definitely gone through every emotion possible. When we scored in the last minute, it felt like we'd won the game, but at the final whistle, we were all very deflated and it felt like we'd lost it.
"All in all, there a lot of positives to take from the game and some negatives we need to work on ahead of our next league game against Reading."
ROVERS: Parker, Farrell, Heyes, Twohig, Carroll, Forster, Penny, Emmanuel, Sheen. Anderton, Chattell (sub Langford 83 mins).
Subs not used: Elliott, Munroe, Foster.
