An excellent solo strike from Mandy Walker saw TRUK take the 3 points in the opening fixture of the Clubs United 5 a side league following a tense game against the excellent Camden Bells.
In an end to end first half both teams had good chances to take the lead with Camden hitting the post on 2 occasions whilst TRUK forced the Camden keeper into a string of excellent saves with Lucy, Paula and Orlagh all going close. It was Camden however who got the breakthrough on 16 minutes when Lucy and Mandy failed to clear and a deflected shot bounced past the helpless Claire in goal and Camden took the lead. The lead was short lived though as an excellent TRUK move saw an equaliser soon after when a good move saw Paula play and exquisite defence splitting pass with the outside of her right boot and Maysa tucked the ball into the bottom corner to get TRUK back into the game. Half time came with the scores level….
TRUK came out for the 2nd half on the front foot and soon took the lead when Mandy smashed the ball into the bottom corner from the halfway line with a fabulous strike and then Paula nearly extended the lead with a great shot with her left foot which the Camden keeper made yet another excellent save. Both teams still created the odd chance but some excellent game management from TRUK saw the game out and TRUK come away with a deserved but hard fought 3 points.
TRUK Claire Green, Paula Griffin, Mandy Walker, Lucy Clark, Orlagh O’Driscoll, Abi Cornell, Maysa Pritilata
Goals Maysa Pritilata and Mandy Walker
POTM: Mandy Walker