The Fantastic 4’s played really well at home against a Braintree side who would feel right at home playing against our 1’s or 2’s. Despite losing 2-5, the home team kept their heads up and battled on. The game started well with S&B working well up the pitch, moving the ball around. Braintree then got hold of a loose ball and skillfully dribbled around many of the home team scoring their first goal.
S&B determined to score, worked hard to get into the away 23 with great running between Neve H and Lexi H, slotted the ball across the goal, with Michelle H pouncing on it, slotting it home. 1-1. Braintree attacked again and despite the home team defending well with Izzy M cutting out many balls, Braintree nipped in and struck their second goal beating keeper Lea M.
The second half started well for S&B with the team determined to get another goal. Great linking play from the back saw Izzy M bang the ball up into a space that saw Lesley Tonking pounce and bang the ball into the Braintree goal. 2-2.
The home team then settled down using the space and moving the ball around when Braintree who had made some tactical changes took control of the game and again saw their lead striker get hold of the ball and again run through the midfield dribbling around players due to their experience and score again as S&B struggled to compete against the ability of this player. Each time the Braintree team took hold of the ball the same striker ran through the midfield and defence. Many great tackles from Katie A and Lucy P slowed down the away forwards, and some amazing saves using her feet and stick meant keeper Lea M stopped many more attempts at goal. Despite feeling dejected by what was happening the S&B team kept battling and pushed forward with several more attempts on the Braintree goal but each one was stopped on the line. Braintree then scored 2 more goals in quick succession using the same 2-3 experienced players to beat the home defence. Despite the loss and feeling cheated by the abilities of several of the away players, S&B played really well and never stopped running.

Player of the Match: Izzy Maskell