Isle of Wight Ladies 3s headed to Romsey in a cold but welcome sunny day with only 8 players. As expected Romsey put the Island’s defence of Cathy Somekh, Kaitlyn McFarlane, Vicki Brodowska and Rhea Thakrar under pressure from the start. They were unable to break through until a scramble in the Island’s goal mouth resulted in the award of a penalty flick for Romsey. Wightlink Player of the Match Tia Shuttler in the Isle of Wight’s goal stepped up to save her first ever penalty flick and keep the Island’s goal safe! Vicki Brodowska, hitting from the back, linked up well several times with Dee Brown (nickname tinker Bell) who created lots of chances by weaving through several players down the right wing but Carole McFarlane, Rhea Thakrar and Georgie Mac were unable to convert. Half time 0-0.

Feeling confident after keeping a clean sheet for the first half Kaitlyn McFarlane, Georgie Mack, and Dee Brown linked up several times and won several short corners keeping the pressure on Romsey, Another goal mouth scramble in the Romsey goal this time resulted in Rhea Thakrar, being able to push the ball over the line for the Island’s first goal.1-0. Romsey challenged for an equaliser almost right after the restart and were almost celebrating when their forward broke to the top of the D and had seemed to have placed her shot past the out stretched leg of Tia Shuttler in goal, when captain Cathy Somekh, who was on the line, stuck out her stick and deflected the shot past the post. Even with only 8 players the Island’s energy was high as they pushed forward for another goal to settle their nerves. Vicki Brodowska, taking the Island’s 16 yard hits, had been on form all day when she knocked a perfect ball through the middle of Romsey’s midfield to Dee Brown who was able to sweep past two players on the right wing, and then two more, as she ducked into Romsey’s D and struck the ball on the run, low and hard across the face of goal with a satisfying whack of the back board!! A well deserved goal! The Island kept out the last charge of the attacking players of Romsey and won a short corner to see out the game keeping the pressure on right till the end of the game. 2-0 to the Island’s brave 8! A very friendly game with Romsey as always.