Lye Town Ladies reserves managed to hold on for a 1-1 draw away against Gornal Athletic despite being down to ten players in the second half.
Just after the half hour mark, Leigh Taylor opened the scoring for Gornal with their first shot of the game, she hit a thunderous effort from a decent distance out and it went straight over goalkeeper Ash Walton’s head.
Early on in the second half, Lucy Dale levelled from the penalty spot after winning the penalty herself and then all the drama unfolded…
Full story of the game:
On a damp and dreary October afternoon, both teams struggled to gain possession of the ball early on, but it was Lye who had the first chance, Olivia Scott was clean through on goal but rushed her effort and fired it well over the bar. Shortly after the Flyers had a big penalty call waved away by the referee for what looked like an obvious handball from the Gornal defender.
Lye were dominating all over the pitch, there were some good tackles going in, first and second balls were being won, they just couldn’t find the opening goal they desperately needed, and after the half hour mark they ultimately paid the price.
Gornal midfielder Leigh Taylor found herself with all the time in the world in the middle as no one closed her down and she fired a powerful effort towards Ash Waltons goal, it was straight down her throat however it just managed to go over her head and put Gornal in the lead against the run of play.
After the goal the game went slightly frantic both teams were hoofing the ball around instead of getting it down and playing football. Lye finished the half the strongest once again they just needed to get in for half-time and regain themselves as a team.
The half-time score was 1-0 to the home side thanks to Taylor’s strike, the Flyers were dominant though, they just couldn’t score. So a big second half was to come.
Just seconds into the second-half Lye substitute Gee Thacker was booked for kicking the ball away in frustration with a decision made by the referee, Gornal came out the blocks a lot quicker than the Flyers and would’ve scored a couple more if it wasn’t for their efforts being straight at Walton who saved them easily.
Eventually Lye did regain control and a brilliant move saw the ball go out to the right hand side, then find Lucy Dale in the box who turned and tried to shoot, but the ball hit off the hand of one of the Gornal defenders and the referee signalled for a penalty. Dale stepped up to take the resulting penalty and pulled the Flyers level with a great finish, the Gornal keeper had no chance.
Just minutes later Dale nearly grabbed her second of the game, her low effort across the keeper nearly snuck in, but the Gornal keeper did well to keep hold of it and get her body down well to keep the game all square.
Then with around 15-20 minutes to go Lye striker Sarah was sent off by the referee for allegedly putting her head in on one of the Gornal defenders. After the red card, the girls dug deep, continued to work hard and hung in well. Despite Gornal having the advantage there was no real clear cut chances created by either side.
So at full-time the score stayed 1-1, a well fought draw for the Flyers considering they were down to ten players with a decent amount of time to go. Lye dominated large parts of the first half and were unlucky to go in 1-0 down, but take nothing away from Taylor’s strike, it was a great goal. They rallied together second half, got back into the game thanks to Lucy Dale and maybe would’ve gone onto win if they had 11 on the pitch.
The point leaves them 5th in the Birmingham County Women’s League, Gornal are level on points but one position ahead in 4th on goal difference.
Looking ahead to this Sunday, the Flyers take on 3rd placed Coventrians at Lye Town FC, all support would be greatly appreciated from the players and managers.
Sporty AF 