Dearne & District Ladies 2 Kirklees 1

Having spent a number of years playing Sunday League football and then managing youth teams it has always been my view that if a game is competitive it is often very enjoyable, no matter at what level it is played.

And so it proved with this match - a really good tussle between two well-matched teams. The skill levels were not Premiership, admittedly, but here were two teams who were prepared to give everything for a win and Dearne just about held on to get it.

So, my first step was to actually locate the ground (and fortunately, good directions on the Kirklees website helped with that). Let's just say the facilities are basic! The teams and the ref had somewhere to change (even if it did resemble an old container you would see on the back of a lorry!) and there was a barrier around the pitch - but that was about it.

However, none of that mattered. The teams did the usual FA Cup style walk out together followed by shaking hands before the game. Like in the early rounds of the FA Vase (which I followed last season) I think, frankly, that the players find this a bit embarrassing, but it does signify that this is slightly different from the normal run of the mill league game.

There was a stiff breeze which Kirklees kicked with in the first half. Initially, there seemed to be a lot of kicking the ball with very little passing. However, things soon settled down and it was obvious that both teams were well organised and a number of players knew how to play the game very well. Even those who were less skilled stuck to the basics and played an important part for their team.

After 15 minutes or so a young lad came round with a programme (free!) which helped me to identify some of the players.

Those who stood out for me did so because they were a combination of being good and having a name that could be easily recognised from the programme!

On the Dearne team the star player for me was midfielder Vicki Bruce (she had an Irish accent which also helped her stand out), a combative and skilful player. Her partner in midfield (No. 8, whose name I did not get) scored the opening goal early in the second half, after a first half that ws marked by the number of chances that Kirklees missed. Indeed, the finishing was so poor I was worried I would witness the first 0-0 draw to take place in this competition for over a year!

The goal, when it did come, was from fully 30 yards out, a direct free kick that swirled viciously in the air, completely fooling the Kirklees keeper, dropping through her hands and into the net.

Dearne were taking advantage of the wind now, and went into a two-goal lead with a goal scored from a great through ball.

Another notable player for Dearne was Jenna Heydon who proved a real nuisance to the Kirklees defence all afternoon.

2-0 was a harsh scoreline for Kirklees, who deserved to be level, just from the chances they had created. Their notable players were Yasmin Ayub who rarely missed a tackle and distributed the ball well, Amy Hesselden, who showed some neat tricks on the right wing and my player of the match Sonya Moore - she was everywhere and never gave up the cause.

Kirklees did get a goal back 5 minutes from the end from a corner and nearly grabbed an equaliser on a couple of occasions shortly after.

So it ended 2-1, a thoroughly enjoyable affair and competitive encounter. To me this was best summed up by one of the players, who, after the ref had given a free kick after a particularly robust challenge was heard to say, "What does he think we're playing - netball!!" A really 'feel good' afternoon, I'm looking forward to the next round, already.