The ladies hosted a WSL side for the first time in a pre season friendly with West Ham Women.
The game was never going to be about the result and it was always about the players having the experience to play against a top side and for the club to be able to host such a prestigious game under the lights, so it was a Win Win as far as everyone involved with the club was concerned.
The girls started the game very well and created a a couple of good opportunities before West Ham broke the deadlock on 8 minutes with their first real opportunity. A few minutes later a wonder goal from Japanese International Yui Hasegawa scoring an unbelievable 25 yarder into the top left hand corner had the Enfield Bench and Players applauding.
The confidence of the West Ham players in the final third with their quick combination play was now evident and it was clear they were going not going to take their foot of the gas this evening and a quick third from the visitors followed
Then on 22 minutes the ladies scored their first goal from open play. A deep cross from Sheryce Slater was headed into the box by Olivia Syson and the ball fell to Claire Huggins who calmly slotted the ball passed the keeper.
Despite some valiant play from the Ladies and some opportunities being created more goals followed for visitors who were in a lethal finishing mood and we went into the break 1-7 at HT.
Town made 4 changes at HT, but within a minute of the restart the visitors extended their lead.
The game then remained goalless with opportunities at both ends until the visitors further extended lead on 71 and then again on 77 minutes.
In the 80th minute the ladies scored their second goal of the night from open play. Good work down the right and cross to Lauren Cann who volleyed the ball over the keeper into the far corner from the edge of the box. 2-10 and a great moment for the young forward.
The last goal of the night was scored towards the end of the game by the visitors to make it 2-11. A tough night for the ladies, but on reflection a fantastic experience for everyone concerned. Three 16 year olds making their home debuts shows the pathway the club provide and it was certainly a night to be proud of.
Manager Dean Perrett spoke to ETLFC TV after the game “I thought we started the game very well and scored two good goals from open play. I am so proud of all the players for the way they battled, didn’t give up and enjoyed the occasion. We also had 3 16 years old from the Youth Pathway making their debuts so I take away so many positives from the game. My extended thanks to West Ham and Paul Konchesky for bringing down an experienced side and we hope we can invite them down again next season. We had a great crowd here tonight and we hope to see many of them at the QE next season”
The non official attendance was around 250.
