The Champions League Final... No NOT That One!

Olympique Lyonnais vs 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam

A cottage in a ground? Are you sure Fulham aren't non-league?

The second Women's Champions League final and the second involving Lyon and Potsdam, came to Fulham's Craven Cottage a few days before the slightly higher profile men's game also came to London.  Last year Potsdam came out on top in Spain with a win on penalties.  Lyon have thrown a lot of money at the women's team since then, even hiring a manager specifically to win the Champions League.  Lyon's quest for revenge was boosted by the news that Potsdam's star striker, Yuki Nagasoto, was out with a knee injury.

Rare Potsdam pressure from a corner.

Potsdam had the best of the early exchanges with a couple of low shots testing Lyons 'keeper.  Lyon had been free-scoring, netting 27 goals over eight legs in the Champions League and averaging five goals a game in the league, and they soon mustered a response to Potsdam's pressure.  The first Lyon chance was unorthodox in it's delivery as Necib nearly put the ball home directly from the corner spot.  This was just the first chance of many for Lyon as Lotta Schelin and Camille Abily started to show why they are so highly rated in the women's game.  Potsdam were a threat on the break but it was Lyon who were the better side.

Lyon capitalized on their pressure well just under the half hour mark.  A cross was thrown in from the corner spot and Potsdam couldn't clear their lines.  Schelin saw an effort parried into the path of Renard who bundled into the Potsdam net.  Schelin had another opportunity to claim her place as the competition's top scorer but couldn't beat Sarholz in the Potsdam net as half-time approached.

Lotta Schelin worries the Potsdam defence.

Lyon sat back in the second period and this invited trouble onto their shaky back-line.  Inka Wesley and Babet Peter both headed wide absolute sitters.  Kershowski saw a shot saved by Lyon's 'keeper, Bouhaddi, much to her German counterpart's visible irritation.  The referee continued her shocking performance in a game that was rapidly slipping from her grasp.  The tackles were flying in and the ref. was doing nothing, this culminated in the turning down of two very good Lyon penalty shouts as the French team countered.

Lyon get their revenge.

Sarholz did well to keep her team in the game with five minutes left, claiming the ball from a clean through Dickenmann.  Dickenmann got the better of the same contest a minute later though, smashing home a belter from ten yards out.  This effectively ended the game as a contest and sparked celebrations on the bench and amongst the French fans.  This was only the second time in the game that Potsdam's fans and their cow bell fell silent and this silence lasted until the final whistle.  Lyon saw the game out to claim the Women's Champions League and their revenge for last year.

Next up: The last game of my season sees England take on Switzerland at Wembley in a Euro Qualifier.

Arsenal win a trophy. Yes, really!

Arsenal Ladies FC vs Bristol Academy Women's FC

The Ricoh Arena in Coventry is possibly the most out of the way, difficult to reach, ground in the Universe!  This probably goes some way to explaining the lower than average attendance for a Women's FA Cup final, as 13,885 people turned up.  The sides had fought out a 2-2 draw a week earlier, filling the underdogs from Bristol with confidence.

The Ricoh Arena at kick-off.

Bristol's confidence looked well founded as they asserted early pressure, a Jemma Rose header flying just past the post.  Arsenal soon found their feet though.  Fleeting and Nobbs both put efforts high while Bristol and England 'keeper, Chamberlain, had to deal with an effort from Houghton and a free kick, again from Nobbs.  The pressure paid off when the best player on the field, Kim Little, waltzed past two or three Bristol defenders and nailed home to put the Gunners 1-0 up with 19 minutes gone.

Fahey takes an Arsenal throw.

Arsenal continued to knock at the door, Nobbs was denied well.  Chamberlain did well to put the ball out from an Ellen White effort after Fleeting hit the bar in the 33rd minute.  From the resulting cross Fleeting went one better and put Arsenal 2-0 up.  White and Fleeting both had chances to grab the third before the break.  Arsenal 'keeper, Emma Byrne, did have to be on her toes as Jess Fishlock went through but the shot stopper gathered well.  Bristol finished the half by shanking a free kick high and wide.

Little has a go.

Suffice to say the first half Arsenal dominance killed off the match and the second half was considerably less entertaining than the first.  Little was still dominating the middle of the park and Rachel Yankey created another opportunity for her with a pull back; Little's powerful shot saved well by Chamberlain.  A good run through the midfield ended with a free kick for Bristol 20 yards from goal.  Daley had a crack from the dead ball and clipped the top of the cross bar.  This was Bristol's best chance of the half as they dealt much better with Arsenal's threat.  They still couldn't contain Little though and the Scot came close twice more before full time.

Arsenal Ladies: Women's FA Cup Winners 2010/11

Arsenal had one last half chance before seeing the game out, Danielle Carter, on as a sub, running through on goal but unable to convert.  Full time saw Arsenal actually pick up some silverware and Bristol go away consoled by the fact that both clubs go into next seasons Champions League.

Next up: Olympique Lyonnais take on Turbine Potsdam in the UEFA Women's Champions League at Craven Cottage.

A good send off.

England Women vs Sweden Women

Kick off at the Kassam.

The England Women's side completed their World Cup 2011 warm up with a game against a highly rated Swedish side at Oxford United's Kassam Stadium.  Sweden currently sit fifth in the FIFA world rankings, five places above England, and come into this game having comfortably qualified for the World Cup including racking up a 17-0 win over Azerbaijan.  England don't have the best record against Sweden, having not won any of the last nine meetings between the side, but came into the night full of confidence after beating the USA for the first time in 22 years in a friendly just over a month ago.

England begin to apply the pressure.

There was no Fara Williams or Faye White in the side owing to knee injuries and their absence was keenly felt.  England started shakily and Sweden were unlucky not to take advantage of Alex Scott's poor clearance as the resulting shot slammed into the post from 15 yards.  There was more trouble for England as 'keeper Karen Bardsley fluffed her lines in claiming a corner, the ball fell to a Swedish player in the box but she couldn't take advantage.  After the initial scares England went on the attack.

It soon became apparent that the Swedish defence was just as shaky as the English.  Rachel Unitt pounced on a loose ball but the Swedish 'keeper got down well to keep it out.  As the English confidence began to grow, so did the risk of being done on the break with gaps appearing down the England's right flank as Scott and Clarke pushed on.  Bardsley had to be on her toes to keep the Swedes at bay, denying them twice before the break.  The Swedes had just about shaded a first half in which neither side had defended particularly well.

Kelly Smith: England legend!

The half time break saw a visit to an extortionately priced snack bar called off due to excessive queues.  I'm not entirely sure how Oxford United can justify their stadium charging £3.10 for a sausage roll or a bargain meal "deal" of a pie and drink for well over a fiver.  RIP OFF!

Sweden try to fight back.

Hope Powell's team talk was evidently of greater value than the food and England flew out in the second period.  Aluko and Carney were two of four changes made by Powell at half time and they helped England into the ascendency.  With a minute or two gone Aluko won a corner for Yankey to swing in and it was met by Jill Scott who diverted it over the on-rushing 'keeper.    Aluko was involved again moments later as Jill Scott turned provider with a ball down the wing.  Aluko ran onto it and did well to get a cross to Jess Clarke who couldn't make the most of it.

Sweden tried to start a fight back but could only rattle the woodwork as England stepped up a gear.  Carney and Aluko combined time after time with the former playing in the latter in but the 'keeper saved well at her feet to deny England.  Carney took the initiative on the next attack and was brought down, a touch easily, while shielding the ball in the area; she dusted herself off and coolly converted the spot kick to put England 2-0 up with twenty minutes remaining.

Karen Carney scores from the spot.

England made a few more changes, including a début for Fern Whelan, while seeing the match out comfortably.  This result, combined with the win over the USA will send England to the 2011 Women's World Cup in Germany full of confidence.  Fingers crossed the girls will get the job done.

Next up: More women's football as the FA Cup Final comes to Coventry with Bristol Academy taking on the might of Arsenal.

The Tinpot Boston Boy Awards sponsored by Sherpa Van, Tampax.

Awards 2010/2011

Although there are several games remaining for me this season, sadly Boston's season is over now.  As such I thought I'd throw some awards about haphazardly.  So here is some of the best (and worst) of the season 2010/2011.

Best home game
3. Guiseley in the play-off semi final, second leg:  Although we lost this game on penalties and crashed out of the play-offs it was a fantastic match which swung one way and then the other before ending in the tension of a shoot-out.
2. Alfreton:  To go 2-0 down against the best team in the league during the first half then to pull it back and become the only team to do the double over them in the second was unlikely at best.  Fantastic atmosphere at York St that night as well.
1. Workington:  Whilst this match didn't have the excitement of penalties or second half come backs it was, for me, the point where I realised that United could compete at this level.  Beating a previously solid team so comprehensively indicated that Boston could just get something out of this campaign.

Best away day
3. Redditch:  Because winning 9-0 doesn't happen every season.
2. Alfreton:  Marching down the wrong road singing Boston songs, keeping the previously unbeaten league leaders out, seeing them miss a penalty and seeing Sleath score from our only real attack.  Priceless.
1. Workington:  This game had everything; a mammoth 704 mile round trip through snow and fog and going from 2-0 up to 3-2 down to 5-3 up again in end to end stuff.  Superb.

Best player
3. Shaun Pearson:  Scored 11 big goals in 38 appearances and has been ridiculously solid at the back.
2. Anthony Church:  The player Gareth Barry wishes he was, superb commitment and bags full of energy.
1. Gareth Jelleyman:  Quietly brilliant all season, consistent defensively and can swing in a cracking cross.

Worst player
Cecil Nyoni:  Thought he was billy-big-time, turns out he wasn't.  Couldn't hack non-league on a cold Tuesday night.

Special achievement award
Craig Singleton:  Puts in masses of effort doing the programmes, website, video interviews and United Live commentary service.

Best fans
Redditch:  For laying on food for our supporters and for still singing when 9-0 down, good effort lads.

Best chant
"The wheels on your house go round and round" heard at Gainsborough "Tinpot" Trinity

Biggest Joke
Brian Little: Football Genius of aforementioned Tinpot Trinity.

Most disappointing moment

Gloucester:  Going out of the FA Trophy at home when an away tie at Luton was waiting in the next round, not a great performance all round really.

Biggest Cheat
James Walshaw:  The Guiseley striker spends more time on his back than Katie Price.

So that's it for the awards and for Boston United this season.  I'll be here for one or two more matches before the long dark winter of, well, summer; starting with England Ladies vs Sweden Ladies in a pre-World Cup warm up at the Kassam Stadium in Oxford.

Play-offs: part two - that's why I don't play the lottery

Boston United vs Guiseley AFC

This play-off semi-final, second leg was put into context with the announcement of the sad death of Pilgrims Safety Officer, Richard Carrington, on Sunday morning following a lengthy illness.  A minute silence was impeccably observed in his honour by both sets of fans.

The players walk out to a packed York St.

An early trip to York St gave to opportunity to watch the Black Country derby, it also offered an opportunity to drown the nerves under several pints of beer while praying that Boston could defend more effectively than West Brom.  The ground started to fill early and the fantastic home support of 2538 was bolstered by a pitiful 102 from Guiseley, one fifth of the support the Pilgrims took to Yorkshire on a Tuesday night first leg.  The Pilgrims were hoping to field a full first team but unfortunately Kev 'Keith' Austin aggravated an injury in the warm up and so Kieran Murphy started.  Pearson and Dudfield did manage to make it back into the team with Clarke and Boyes missing out as the Pilgrims looked to overturn a 1-0 first leg deficit.

Churchy lines up a free-kick.

Boston were flying from the off as Pearson had his first effort cleared off the line, Yates put in the resultant corner and this time Pearson buried it.  Walshaw tried to restore Guiseley's advantage and managed to get a shot away without falling over much to the home support's amazement.  Dudfield and Weir-Daley both had chances but couldn't take advantage and neither could Guiseley as a shot was blocked by the Boston back line.  It was Boston who were having the better of an end to end game though and they were nearly ahead in the tie when Church smashed the ball into the crossbar either side of the break, including one from a belting free kick.

In a repeat of the first leg Guiseley were better after the break.  This improvement resulted in a goal as a free-kick deflected off the wall and fell to Rothery who beat Bastock from close-in.  Despite the improvement from the visitors it was still the Pilgrims creating most of the chances as Davidson and Clarke replaced Weir-Daley and Canoville respectively.  Yates had a great effort saved by the Guiseley 'keeper.  Yates was at the centre of most of United's good work in the second half and had another shot deflected just wide before his corner was returned to the box by Clarke, allowing Church to level the tie again.  Boston should have been awarded two or three spot-kicks during normal time but these were added to the one from the first leg in being turned down incorrectly.

The sublime Yates receives treatment in front of a heaving Town End.

Davidson had a chance to put United ahead early in extra time but could only nod wide from another great Yates cross.  Three minutes into the second period of extra time and a woeful clearance from Murphy allowed Stamp to spank in a wonderful effort from 20 plus yards.  The crowd was silenced except for a small contingent of joy in the corner of the York St stand.  The quiet lasted five minutes at the most.  Yet again Yates was at the centre of things, swinging in a brilliant cross for Davidson to convert to put Boston 3-2 up on the day and level 3-3 on aggregate.  The chance to win the tie fell to Boyes a few yards out completely unmarked and with only a minute or so to go but he leant back as he hit it and the ball sailed over.

Before this season I had never seen a Boston penalty shoot-out, now I've seen two.  Church and the cheat, Walshaw, both converted theirs but Sleath's penalty was brilliantly saved and Stamp gave Guiseley the advantage.  The Guiseley 'keeper made yet another superb save to deny Jelleyman, Boshell couldn't take advantage as his spot kick was fired straight at Bazza but Boston couldn't level up either, Boyes hitting the post.  Toulson spanked his kick against the bar giving Dudfield the opportunity to keep United in it.  Guiseley had to score to win the tie and Payton duly rolled the ball past Bazza to put United out.  I hate penalties.

The gutting feeling was tempered by immense pride in the performance and the overall achievement of the season.  The lads have done so well to even get to the play-offs.  Guiseley, whilst good enough on the pitch might not be good enough off it for the Blue Square Prem. and so I hope Telford win the play-off final, having seen off Nuneaton in the other semi.

Next up: England Ladies vs Sweden Ladies at the Kassam Stadium in Oxford will follow my 2010/11 season awards post.

Play-offs: part one

Guiseley AFC vs Boston United

Weatherspoons in Boston was the staging point for the pre-party-bus pints to settle the nerves.  Beers along with tainted coke ensured not only temporary balance issues as serious as those of the Guiseley front-line but a couple of unplanned "comfort" breaks en route to Yorkshire for the play-off semi final, first leg.  The balance issues also ensured that the party bus was rocking by the time we got to Nethermoor Park and piled out in full view of the cameras of Calendar or Look North or some other TV company that only shows an interest when we are at risk of playing Linscum next season.

Surely not as good as Eastwood?

There were Boston fans everywhere, along with the odd one or two from Guiseley dotted around; United must have brought 500+ of the 1000 odd attendance.  The Townenders presented their own player of the season award to Church, evidently disappointed that Pearson whitewashed the official awards.  The vocal support grouped together in one of the sheltered areas as the teams walked out, making it easy for the stewards to come and steal the inflatables and toilet roll; spoil sports.  Boston had made six changes from the weakened team that played against Vauxhall Motors; Canoville, Austin, Sleath, Semple, Boyes and Weir-Daley all coming in at the expense of Murphy, Pearson, Cullingworth, Frost, Dudfield and Stones.  Despite these changes it still wasn't what I'd call a first choice team.

Boston flew out of the blocks and had chances almost immediately as Yates sandwiched Guiseley efforts by nailing a free kick high before belting a second shot over.  Guiseley tested both Bazza and the integrity of the crossbar in response.  Following the initial shots across the bows the half tightened up and there were few chances.  Boston were having the better of the play but weren't helped when big Keith was forced off with an injury, having turned down a chance to play at Wembley with Darlington to remain with the Pilgrims.

The teams shake hands in front of the Boston fans.

Guiseley showed their Blue Square Premier class before the break as their floodlights and seemingly half the electricity in the ground failed, presumably because some Yorkshire Tea had been spilt on a generator or something.  Surely, surely Eastwood's ground is better than this?  There was just enough time for another injury before the break as the superb referee had to be replaced by the fourth official.  This was a shame for him, and probably for United too as the injured ref. hadn't been having any of Guiseley's falling over crap.

The sun sets over Yorkshire,
it's a good job the floodlights are reliable...

Someone had put another quid in the meter and the lights were back on as the teams walked out for the second half.  Guiseley managed one chance but it was Boston who should have gone ahead.  A stonewall penalty was not given by the fourth official, who showed why he hadn't given it by patting the underside of his arm where he thought the ball had hit the defender.  Last time I checked it was still handball when the ball hits an arm that's raised.  Mind you the fourth official should know better than me with all that time he has to read the rules whilst sitting on the sidelines...

Weir-Daley was denied but it was all Guiseley for a spell as the tide of the game turned.  Bastock made some excellent saves to keep the scores level but he couldn't keep out a worldy of a Peyton 35 yard free-kick, following a Church foul.  Guiseley threw everything at United in trying to increase the lead in the longest 15 minutes of play that I can remember watching.  Jason Lee brought himself on to try and alleviate the pressure but this only resulted in numerous Guiseley free-kicks as various defenders ran into Lee and bounced off.

Boston did well to hang on and ensure it's all to play for in the second leg.  There was a bit of trouble on the way out of the ground as three men and a dog the size of a horse seemed determined to take on 40+ Boston fans in a fight.  The stewards moved in and duly protected said angry northerners from their own stupidity.  I bet they don't turn up at York St.

Next up: Play-off semis, second leg.

Somebody else's party.

Hitchin Town vs Daventry Town

So then, a distraction before the first leg of Boston's play-off semi-final, something to keep my mind off it for a little while at least.  Hitchin Town vs Daventry Town in the Zamaretto Division One: Central play-off final looked likely to do the job.  Hitchin finished as the highest team in the division not to have points deducted so may have reason to feel aggrieved that they lost out on automatic promotion to local rivals Arlesey Town by a point.  The path towards the ground passed via a couple of decent pubs, Molly Malones and The Victoria, both worthy of a visit should you ever end up in Hitchin.

Kick off at Top Field.

Hitchin's ground is fairly tidy, although I'm not sure how much bouncing the stand made of wooden planks behind one goal could take.  I'm sure that programmes are usually readily available but the fact that the club were frantically printing more inserts to go into their programme from the week before seems pretty tinpot.  Not as tinpot as running out of programmes entirely, but still pretty tinpot.  The crowd was a bumper one, boosted by Arsenal fans and a good contingent from Daventry.  There were also a high proportion of attractive young ladies there, if this is what it's like in the southern league then I hope we get transferred south; if we don't go up that is!

Despite the hyperbole on the official report, there were no queues down the road as far as I could see.  There is a point here, I have only experienced it with Arsenal fans and usually from middle-class suburban, white lads who wish they were anything but middle class, suburban or white; they are terrible!  They come to lower league grounds and joke about "that one time they were at Highbury", they complain about the ground and the fans being quiet.  Yes, Arsenal fans complaining about a quiet crowd!  They sit there and compare the players to international players and then complain that the standard isn't the same.  I know it's nice they show an interest and more importantly bring in money but they should be banned from non-league.  BANNED!

Hitchin pressure Daventry from a free-kick.

Hitchin had the better of Daventry for large portions of the game and looked the better team by some stretch. There were complaints from the Hitchin fans about Daventry cheating, being overly-physical and diving about.  From a neutral point of view these claims were largely unfounded.  There were scant chances created with both defences standing strong until the 39th minute.  Following a good cross the ball was neatly controlled by Frendo who swivelled on the spot to spank the ball into the net.

Daventry tried to get back into the game after the break but the chances just weren't falling for them and when they did they couldn't take advantage.  Dav. Town were punished for not taking their chances when the Canaries deservedly went 2-0 up, a swinging free-kick flicked in off the head of Dean Gilbert with an hour gone.  Daventry were unlucky not to pull one back as they hit the woodwork twice and forced a fantastic save from Hitchin's Jimmy Carr look-a-like 'keeper in the space of a minute or so.  At this point some of the Daventry fans decided that the game was effectively over and that it'd be better to go and taunt the surprisingly quiet Hitchin/Arsenal fans with what were allegedly EDL chants.  Idiots.

Hitchin celebrate their first goal.

Hitchin defended stoutly and could have caught Daventry on the break a few times.  The Canaries couldn't find the killer third but in the end it wasn't required as the final whistle blew.  There was a mini pitch invasion from the Hitchin fans but it was all pretty reserved really; a very strange atmosphere.  The Daventry fans staged their own eye-watering pitch invasion, a man in a purple morph suit was joined by a man wearing a tiny orange mankini in showing one of the Dav. Town players their appreciation with a hug.  Poor man.  The subdued atmosphere was not quite as inspiring as the thought of the pub and so the journey home began.

Next up: PLAY-OFFS! Boston United are hosted by Guiseley in the BSB North play-off semi-final, first leg. Coverage on United Live and BBC Radio Lincolnshire.

In the driving seat.

Boston United vs Vauxhall Motors

So it's the last home game of the regulation season once again, doesn't seem five minutes since the last one!  This time round the guests were Vauxhall Motors and there was nothing important resting on the result at all, which makes a change.  So you'd think it'd be a relaxed atmosphere at York St. and you'd be right.  1610 people, including six or seven from Ellesmere Port, turned out on this deceptively chilly day in south-east Lincolnshire.  The lack of importance this game merited was mirrored in the team selection.  Six changes were made as the opportunity to both rest important players and get match fitness or experience for others was grasped with both hands.  Cullingworth, Pearson, Murphy, Frost, Stones and Dudfield all started at the expense of Sleath, Canoville, Austin, Semple, Boyes and Newsham.  The one player who could have probably used the rest, Anthony Church, started again.

This photo epitomizes the excitement of the day:
nothing is happening.

Stones scored within four minutes of kick-off of his first league start.  Doing well to mug the half asleep defender he laid the ball off to Dudfield, who neatly gave it back, allowing the new boy to slot home.  Brilliant start!  Stones could have scored again a few minutes later but couldn't hit the target.  Vauxhall made the odd chance or two but they were consistently wayward.  It said something about the quality of the game that Stones was Boston's biggest threat on goal.  Yates was supplying plenty of ammunition to the big front-man but it was Cullingworth who supplied his best chance.  Stones had the ball in the back of the net following a diving header but it was ruled out for off-side.

Dudfield and Murphy both had chances but a combination of good goalkeeping and poor aim kept the score to 1-0.  Church had the opportunity to change that and he grasped it with both hands.  A free-kick was incorrectly awarded for hand-ball about 30 yards out with five minutes of the half remaining.  Church set himself, then spanked it into the top corner, 2-0.

The second half was very relaxed, so relaxed in fact that barely anything happened.  Pearson narrowly missed out on putting the Pilgrims 3-0 up after being set up by who else but Jamie Yates?  It was Danny Sleath's head which preserved the scoreline at the other end with a stunning goal-line clearance, how the ball didn't go in I have no idea!  The ponderous Stones had another goal chalked off, this time for a push, to keep his tally at one.  The only other real chance of the half saw a still underwhelming Stef Frost have a good shot stopped by an even better save to keep the score at 2-0 in the dying moments.

The traditional end of season pitch invasion.

The end of season awards threw up about as much excitement as the game with Shaun Pearson unsurprisingly collecting all but one of the awards he was eligible for.  The award he didn't collect went to the young fans' player of the year (who is always a striker), Spencer Weir-Daley.  The achievement award went to Chris Cook.  It's not surprising that the afternoon was a little drab as the play-offs are the main event now, this game was just a sideshow.  The way things fell means that Boston will compete in a two legged semi-final against Guiseley and then the victorious team will play the winner of AFC Telford United vs Nuneaton Town for a place in the BSB Conference National.

Next up: Hitchin Town FC vs Daventry Town FC in the Zamaretto Central Division play-off final at Top Field.