LADIES BLACKPOOL TOURNAMENT – 02/06/23 – 04/06/23
Birmingham Ladies took a team made of over 60, over 50 & over 40 players to Blackpool to play in the Over 40’s tournament at the weekend. After a fun Friday afternoon/evening chilling in the sunshine, what we would call “team bonding” we got down to the business side of the tour on Saturday morning.
The tournament was organised into two leagues of 6 teams with the top 2 teams progressing to the Cup Semi Finals and the remainder 8 teams going into the Plate knockout.
The League Results:
verses Linlithgow Lions win 1 – 0 scorer Tracy Dudwell
verses Garstang win 1 – 0 scorer Tracy Dudwell
verses Leyton Orient win 1 – 0 scorer Paula Smart
verses Northampton draw 0 – 0
verses Braunton win 1 – 0 scorer Paula Smart
Finishing top with 13 points playing Braehead in the Semi Final
Semi Final:
verses Braehead draw 1 – 1 scorer Kelly Preece
Games goes straight to penalties, Birmingham up first
Kelly Preece – goal
Dee Reade – goal
Donna Nash – miss
All square after a great save from Tracy Evans, sudden death
Paula Smart – miss
Tracy Evans -miss
Tracy Dudwell – miss
All square with more saves from Tracy Evans, from the beginning again
Kelly Preece – goal
Dee Reade -goal
Another great save (and a smack on the head off the post!) puts Birmingham into the final verses Bolton Arena who had sailed through their leagues winning all their leagues games 5 or 6 goals to NIL.
Final:
We knew this was going to be a tough game, a plan was discussed and executed by each and every player. Reducing Bolton to just one shot on goal throughout the game which was handled by our top goalie Tracy Evans. Birmingham’s Kelly Preece had a shot shave the post. Birmingham was awarded a corner, whereby Dee Reade was able to pass the ball, with great movement off the ball by Paula Smart, to a waiting Kelly Preece at the top of the area to bang in a first time shot passed their goalie – which had Jan Trigg & Karen Downs jumping for joy on the side-lines. Birmingham continued with the plan, even with three free kicks being awarded in concession, held their nerve to win the final.
Overall, immensely proud of everyone in the squad, everyone played their part in making this a memorable win for Birmingham Ladies Walking Football Club.
