The Panthers played the Bradwell Broncos in their second league match of the season,
and boy was it a corker – Coach Jethro summed it up with a quote from the film
Gladiator at the end: “Are You Not Entertained?!’ By heck, we were! There was drama, a
little bit of claret, and some impressive ‘facial’ defence from the Bradwell side - It was an
exciting game to watch, let alone play.

Both teams were up and down the pitch in the first quarter, stretching their legs and
getting the measure of each other. ‘FaceGate’ part one happened, with a Bradwell player
getting a ball in the face, but, with a bit of ice, all was well. The Panthers rallied and an
opening goal which was brilliantly scored by Maddie.

The second quarter brought a bit more drama with a scorcher of a strike from Rosie,
which hit the Bradwell keeper’s face (#FaceGate2). A nosebleed and some stoppage
time was distracting for both teams, but the Panthers handled it well. Whether Rosie’s
goal crossed the line depends on which side you were rooting for but the score stayed the same. Quinn made a great attempt on goal which didn’t quite make it past the keeper, helped by some great defending and passing from Ivy and Scarlett. This didn’t deter the opposition and they grabbed an opportune moment to make a fast run up the pitch to score an equalizer in the far corner.

There was a bit more back and forth – Quinn took a great corner which threatened the
goal mouth but didn’t quite find the way onto a Panther player’s boot. Ava made some great saves, fearlessly meeting every threat head on and coming out to scoop up the ball. Special mention here to Olivia for catching and stopping a high looping ball dead with her ankles just before the whistle blew for half time.

Early in the third quarter there was a great attempt on goal from Floss, ably assisted by
Scarlett. Rosie also had another attempt on goal but sadly it just went wide. Bradwell pressed with further attempts to score, which meant more gutsy work from Ava and she
made some great saves. Niamh, Floss and Llana did some great blocking and battling to keep the ball in possession, but Bradwell kept on pushing up, with some very physical defending to keep the Panthers on their toes. Evie and Ivy defended well to get the ball back down the pitch, but Ava definitely had her work cut out.

It was a tense last quarter, with both teams desperate to score and seal the deal. Niamh
and Ivy tried their best to keep the Bronco’s at bay, with Floss and Llana showing some
fancy footwork on the wing as they worked together, passing well. The Panthers really
put the pressure on, with some fantastic tactical play and great battling from Olivia.
Rosie and Floss almost got another few goals through, but it wasn’t to be. Then Bradwell
set our hearts racing with a strike that hit the top bar but didn’t make it past the line –
phew!

It was an exciting and entertaining game to watch, and with a bit more luck on our side,
and a slightly larger pitch it could’ve been a win for the Panthers. However, the girls (and spectators) had a really enjoyable morning of football and that surely is just as important as the final score.