This was another tough tie for the Candy Ladies, having narrowly lost out to the league leaders last week they now faced a big test against second place Blackburn Utd Ladies, who are probably the best footballing side in the league overall this season.
Whereas last week the Garngad Girls had to cope with Partick’s physical style this week they faced a Blackburn team who play fast paced, passing football, at a high tempo. Although defensively St Roch’s coped comfortably enough with the visitors attacks they struggled to get any real passing game of their own going forward and the Roch’s Caz Docherty and Mags McKenna spent most of the first half chasing a succession of long balls over the top.
While not exactly the style the home side would prefer to play it did create one or two half chances, but by and large these were dealt with comfortably by the visitors keeper. However in another repeat of last weeks game it was late in the first half when St Roch’s conceded the goal which ultimately separated the teams.
Again, just like last week, the Ladies responded well, coming out in the second half keen to get back into the game and Claire Wright came closest with a driving run up the left channel and low shot across the keeper who did extremely well to push the ball clear at full stretch.
St Roch’s worked extremely hard to keep the pressure on the visitors, who for their part, kept pushing on looking to make the game safe, it ended up a tense and at times fraught second half but entertaining nonetheless.
While two close, back to back losses are hard for the Candy Ladies to take it must be remembered that Partick and Blackburn Utd are established, experienced teams while St Roch’s are still earning their stripes in their first season in League football.
The ladies can therefore be proud and encouraged that they have run such teams so close. Equally St Rochs can now go into a run of games full of confidence, knowing that they took seven out of nine points from their next three opponents in the first half of the season.
Reported by St Roch’s Ladies
Picture: St Roch’s Ladies – Claire Wright
