Churt Satellites lost 3-0 today in their 1st game of the season, to a very strong KPR team, in a hard fought battle. The Satellites left the pitch with the heads held high after putting in a very strong performance.
The Satellites started strongly and gave a good account of themselves in the 1st 10 minutes of the game. Amy Thompson did some great work on the left wing, and gave as good as she got against a very physically strong opponent. Hannah Watts, playing in midfield, made some great passes and tackles and made life very difficult for KPR.
However, despite good play from Churt, the threat from KPR was obvious and they scored their 1st goal after 13 minutes. Their right winger made a strong run down the flank, put in a low cross, which their striker placed in the bottom left hand corner of the goal with a 1st time struck shot.
The away team continued to battle well with Liv Potter and Pheobe Mitchell both covering a huge amount of ground in midfield and proving to be a real menace to the opposition midfield. They created their first half chance of the game after 17 minutes. After some great passing and dribbling by Phoebe and Amy T, the ball was crossed into the box. There was an ensuing goal mouth scrabble where Ella, Hannah and Liv all tried to create a shot at goal, but KPR managed to keep them at bay.
KPR scored a terrific goal after 20 minutes. Their number 35 found some space in midfield, Churt didn’t close her down quick enough and she unleased an unstoppable shot from outside the box. 2-0 KPR.
Immediately after the goal Martha Pittman, who had been doing a terrific, disciplined job as a holding midfield made way for Lily Jay.
The Satellites played extremely well for the remainder of the 1st half, but were relieved for the half time whistle to blow, with the scored at 2-0. Tilly, who made several solid catches in the 1st half as well as a number of great drop kicks, made way for Jamie for the 2nd half. Ruby also came on for Ella for the start of the 2nd half, playing as a striker.
The 2nd half proved a very even affair. Both teams looked very solid, played good football and made it very difficult for the other team to create good chances. Churt made one of the few chances in the half after 50 minutes. Ruby ran on to a through ball, dribbled past a couple of defenders and opened up a great chance for herself only for the ball to bobble as she took her shot, sending the shot wide of the goal. On another occasion Lily made a terrific through ball for Ruby, only for KPR to make a superb tackle on the edge of the box.

Ruby Clarke played a great through ball to Martha but the ref Brought it back for a foul and didn't play the advantage, which was a shame as Martha was through on goal.
KPR created another chance after 60 minutes. After some good passing they created some space in midfield and their number 35 unleashed another strong shot. The ball took an awkward bounce in front of Jamie and she did well to push it wide of the post.
The defence of the Satellites played extremely well the whole game. Emily and Lula in the centre were rock solid making tackle after tackle, and the full backs Alex and Amy O both had an extremely busy day but were also rock solid. Amy O made a number of important tackles when we were stretched, and Alex did some great offensive work as well.
The team were gutted to concede a 3rd goal in the last minute of the game. Churt struggled to clear the ball on the edge of the box in a melee of players, and somehow KPR managed to poke the ball past Jamie who got her fingers to the shot.
All in all it was a great performance from the Satellites, but KPR were the stronger team and deserved the win. KPR will be very tough opponents for all of the other teams in the league this season.
Amy O was deservedly given player of the match for an outstanding performance at right back, closely followed by Liv who also had a terrific game in midfield.