The Emery’s Stadium, home of Stoke City Women based in Staffordshire and compete in the Women’s National League Northern Premier Division.
It’s a rare Thursday night for me and one not be taken for granted. Stoke City Women vs Boldmere St Michael’s Women! Can the Women’s game continue to rain goals and entertainment?
Work is done for the day and now for the journey across to Staffordshire. Into the Peak District I go, past Calver, past Hassop, into Leek and into the ground with around 30 minutes till kick off… I could watch the game here in all fairness.
£3 to watch this Women’s tie… Must remember to bring cash to Non-League! I’m finally in and here come the teams, may the best team win!
Kick Off! 6 minutes in and Boldmere come forward, it’s a through ball to number 8 and she’s in here… SAVE! Good save there by Liz Hobson in the Stoke goal.
18 minutes on the clock and Stoke have a corner, it’s played in… The header… It’s wide!
Stoke are looking just the better of the 2 teams here tonight so far but Boldmere do possess an element of danger on the break. 34th minute and Stoke play a ball through, the keeper comes for it… And gets there but it comes to Rosie Axten for Stoke on the right and she’ll cross… But Boldmere are there to clear.
41minutes now and Boldmere play down the right hand side, it’s crossed in, it’s dealt with poorly there by the Stoke defender and number 14 for Boldmere will get there… And she pokes it in!! Boldmere have the lead!! A massive roar from the Boldmere squad as they go 1-0 up! 0-1!
Right on half time and Stoke have a free kick on the left, it’s played into the middle… It’s there!! It’s headed in by Meg Bowyer for Stoke!!! It’s level! 1-1! The Referee blows for half time straight from kick off to really give the Boldmere manager something to think about for the half time team talk.
Second half, 48th minute and Stoke have a throw in on the left, it’s played in, in comes a cross from the left, Roisin Kivel is free… OH! It’s come off her shoulder and it rolls wide… Massive opportunity there!
53 minutes gone and Boldmere play the ball into the middle from the left, it comes for number 9 in the box to shoot… Well held by the keeper! Wish I could catch like that!
3 minutes later and Stoke play it forward looking for Roisin Kivel and she will get there… She rounds the keeper… No! The keeper gets a vital hand on it and Boldmere do clear the danger.
65th minute and Stoke are all over Boldmere here and it’s looking like a matter of time before they score again. They come forward again, it’s lumped into the middle… The keeper gets it away but only to Rosie Axten on the right and she goes for goal from 30 yards… That’s going IN… OH MY WORD WHAT A SAVE THAT IS!!! The keeper for Boldmere somehow manages to claw it away from the top corner and out for a Stoke corner! That is the best save I have seen this season! Sensational! She’s down in her goal… But she’s back up ready for the corner, in it comes… Boldmere head away but only to Molly Holder on the volley… OFF THE BAR!! Boldmere clear, how close can you get!?
77th minute and Stoke continue to press, they have it down the right and it’s crossed in, it comes to the far side and it’s driven back across, it’s ROISIN KIVEL… OH ANOTHER INCREDIBLE SAVE! Boldmere clear again, my word that is 2 sensational saves by the Boldmere keeper here tonight! A very strong right hand there to prevent Stoke leading here.
1 minute later and Boldmere play a long ball forward for number 9 to chase, out comes the keeper… She gets there and clears… Hold on a minute that’s come off her own defender and……… IT’S ROLLED IN!! Oh no!! Wow! Boldmere somehow have the lead from the most unlikely source! 1-2!
80th minute now and can Stoke get themselves back into this game here? Boldmere have won the ball back on the right wing and they drive into the box, it’s played across for number 9 to shoot… It’s blocked… And the keeper claims the loose ball! Stoke are losing their heads here…
85th minute now and Boldmere have a free kick from around 25 yards out in a good shooting position, number 9 steps up… She’s hit the inside of the post and……… It’s not gone in and Stoke are reprieved.
Into stoppage time and Stoke have a corner, in it comes… Keeper comes for it… She hasn’t got there and it’s off a Stoke head… It’s wide! So close! The goal kick is taken… And that is it! A huge roar from the Boldmere squad! It’s a massive win for them and they certainly owe it to their keeper!!
FT: Stoke City Women 1-2 Boldmere St Michael’s Women
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 2/10 – A bit of noise from the spectators here tonight.
- The Ground: 6/10 – It’s a nice little setup! Very unique with the stand at the bottom and the elevated view above although it does restrict the view slightly but I do love elevated views!
- Expense: 10/10 – £30 for fuel and £3 for a very good game! Thank you!
- Overall Experience: 9/10 – I quite enjoyed tonight! I do love a game with a bit of drama!
27/40