Saturday was match day 2 in the National League for the girls 1s at home, well Rubislaw to be precise, against CALA. The question was had they learned any lessons from the previous week and cleared their league rustiness.

A bright warm sunny day welcomed everyone to Rubislaw and a determined GCW “Girls in Black” set about earning their first league points of the season.  The squad featured two more debutants as it took to the field as Ava Airnes and Eva Sheal stepped up. The first quarter saw the visitors try to dominate possession and play but some resilient GCW tackling and movement kept the match in the balance. Jen Smith had an early chance but could not complete however in 10 minutes GCW pounced. Connie Hatfield won a tackle in her own half drove forward with the ball and engaged the last defender. Jen Smith peeled off to the top of the circle where the pass found her and she calmly played the ball around the keeper to give GCW a precious 1-0 lead.

CALA pressed to get a goal back and their were some hairy moments in the second period including a goal for CALA disallowed as no forward touched the ball in the circle. Half time came and GCW had weathered the storm and went in 1-0 up. The third period again saw most possession with the visitors but the chances kept falling to GCW. At the end of the quarter a foul whilst tackling  back saw Nicole Duffin spend two minutes in the sin bin. The score stayed the same after some fine corner defence by GCW but their passing was better and more controlled.

The final quarter and as expected CALA tried to throw everything at GCW. The GCW girls however “game managed” extremely well. Allowing the CALA girls possession but counter attacking with threat. The only real opportunity CALA had was an illegal shot at a penalty corner well saved by keeper Jess Walker. It looked like the game would be sealed when a counter attack found Eva Sheal in acres of space on the 25, she turned and took on the keeper neatly nutmegging her but the ball narrowly slipped past the post.

A yellow card for breaking down play by GCW was the only other threat but the game was seen out safely for a well fought and deserved victory.