The Team

League match
SUN 28 OCT, 2pm	Manchester Stingers	2	v	2	Buxton

Scorers
Jinny Ursell (30)
Rachael Taylor (35)

Player of the Match
Jinny Ursell

Match Report
G'day once again Stingers. First of all i would like to express my excitement at again being asked to write the match report, and second i would like to express my disappointment. What has the team come to, that between you all, you cant take half an hour out and support your club? tut tut indeed. All i can say Stingers, is you can count your lucky stars that i have a job that entails me doing naff all for 40 hours a week, or you would be in trouble.

Anyway, before I turn into Maggie, I'll commence with the report. The sun was shining at 1pm when Stingers gathered at the clubhouse in preparation for the game against Buxton (what's with all of this nice weather anyway, it's better than in melbourne). Captain Shelly was still unfortunately missing due to injury, so Captain Scouse filled her boots, after a fantastic performance in the last game.

Due to the pitch being entered into the Chelsea Flower Show in a few weeks time Stingers were not allowed to warm up on it. This didn't seem to deter their concentration though, and they were extremely focussed; their not to distant memories fully recalling the level of competitiveness that previous encounters with Buxton had brought.

Irish Nic stepped up in defence, a sheer testament to her versatility. With a strong Stingers squad and immense talent on the bench there were hints from the outset that this was going to be a fist clencher. And Stingers didn't disappoint; when Paul blew his whistle they dominated, demonstrating ability to listen to the gaffer's repetitive talks in the dressing room, "first to the ball, closing down,
tackling, don't wait to be tackled, challenge," and actually apply them for once. Stingers looked sure to score, but football, being a cruel sport, allowed luck to prevail and from nowhere, a long shot from outside the area caught a day dreaming Mrs Goggins off her line and sailed into the back of the net. One nil Buxton.

This temporary glitch failed to deter Stingers and they pressed on. Jinny, demonstrating consistent form again, laid an accurate pass to Katie Fingers who made a mighty fine run up the wing (perhaps she has realised that without me by her side to constantly cover for her and save her bacon, she actually has to do some work in defence). Anyway, going off on a tangent there, Jinny passes to Fingers, Fingers takes a shot at goal, and as predictable as Arsenal's tactics misses by a mile, but luckily for the more astute Stingers, they realised it wasn't a bad cross, so the beautiful and elegant Liz controlled it and laid off an elegant pass to Jinny, who, like one of her toys powered by a duracell battery, hadnt stopped running the whole time. From 20 yards out, Ursell powers home and hits the cross bar with a screamer...... the crowd gasp....Harris almost tears up her yamaka, and after an eternity, the shot goes in off and bounces into the back of the net. 1-1! The crowd roared, the players celebrated and Jinny jogged back to the centre spot with a spring in her step.

Striking whilst the iron was hot and demonstrating some wicked play, a second Stingers goal was inevitable. In a matter of minutes Jo Bennett put in a great cross from the right which the athletic Liz cheekily flicked on, to the feet of Rachael Taylor, a this season goal virgin who fired home, and became a woman. 2-1 Stingers.

The half time whistle blew and the Gaffer ushered everyone into the dressing room and warned us not to be complacent - and to keep it tight at the back, tighter than Jinny's wallet i think she said, or something like that.

The second half kicked off much like the first and Stingers were again first to the ball. The pressure remained and the chances were coming, however, Stingers were lacking in the final outcome: no goal came. Tempers flared a little as some fouls seemed to be overlooked by the ref, and Stingers began to lose their cool. A final chance to seal the game was messed up spectacularly by Jinny who missed an open net as the out of place keeper recovered ground to tip the goalbound shot onto the post. Dear me. Inspired by this, Buxton pressed on, and started to battle. Maybe they lifted their game, or maybe Stingers were trying to settle for 2-1 and lost their concentration. Who knows? Not even Septic Peg.

With ten minutes to go, Buxton got lucky as they attacked the Stingers goal. The Yellows were determined to defend, and tried thier best, however a header by Jo Bennett cruellly landed into Stingers' own net. In the dying minutes Stingers fought back and were devastated when the final whistle blew. 2-2. A noble effort Stingers, lady luck was just not on our side, but a fantastic performance.

Im signing off now, i do wish you would let me enjoy my travels in peace. The Australian economy is suffering as a result of my comedy genius. Good luck for next week girls.
Maxine Bell

To much surprise Jane has also written a report for this week's game and offers her few but well-thought-out words on Sunday's game:

On a wet morning Stingers faced Buxton in what is always a tense affair. With a buffet fit for a king prepared Stingers were ready to battle.

The game started well with some good passing from Stingers. After 10 minutes Buxten had a shot from about 20 yards and in what only can be described as an absolute farce the ball hit my fingers and rolled in. Stingers bounced back with some delightful play and put Buxton under pressure and had many shots on goal but we knew it was coming. Buxton were putting in some rash challenges and Paul seemed to miss those to the frustration of stingers. Stingers pulled one back from a great shot from Jin which really lifted our spirits. Lizzie, ( massive toes) had a lot of possession but when your feet are that big its difficult to control the ball but she does it to the best of her ability. Stingers kept the pressure up and Stingers got another with a great goal from Rach.

At half time we knew we could win with another 45 of hard work. The second half was equally as good with stingers shooting from every angle. Buxton didn't have many chances and seemed quite deflated towards the end. Buxton had a corner and unfortunately was headed in by Jo and that levelled the scores. It was a great header though..............Stingers were by far the better team and it was a great performance. Stingers are at home to Mac town next Sun.
Jane Laycock