Womens 1st XI vs Witham 1

Brain vs Brawn

On a cold and bitter late morning, Romford geared up for their much-anticipated match against Witham. Spirits were high as the team began with a fun and energetic warm-up, setting the tone for what promised to be a competitive game.

First Half:

Romford started strong, working hard to link up play and bridge the gaps between defence, midfield, and forward. For the first 10 minutes, we were in "warrior mode," trying to press high. However, something felt off—we weren’t quite clicking as a unit.

Despite this, we managed to break the deadlock. A short corner was awarded, and Captain Katie injected the ball to Loz, who slipped it to Ellie. With a perfectly timed sweep, the ball soared over the keeper’s right pad, putting Romford in the lead 1-0.

Half-Time Talk:

Despite the lead, there was a feeling that something was missing. The team gathered for a crucial half-time discussion. The biggest takeaway? We were holding onto the ball for too long, allowing Witham to close down space and apply relentless pressure. Coach made it clear: we needed to use our brains to outwit, not just our brawn to battle through. The plan for the second half was clear—move the ball faster and play smarter.

Second Half:

Witham came out with a new intensity, and it was clear they weren’t going down without a fight. They hunted in packs, pressing hard and forcing mistakes. Their persistence paid off when they won a short corner, capitalising on a deflected ball that left the post player free to sweep it in. Romford’s defence was caught off guard, leaving the score 1-1.

Sensing a shift in momentum, Witham pushed even harder. A seemingly harmless, bobbling ball trickled towards our goal. Time seemed to slow as Romford hesitated, expecting a whistle that never came. That split-second lapse proved costly—the ball rolled past our keeper, and suddenly, we were trailing 2-1.

Witham, now tasting victory, refused to let up. Their final goal was something out of a highlight reel. Lashes stepped up and executed an insane reverse tomahawk shot that soared into the top right corner—unstoppable. It was a moment of brilliance that no one saw coming.

The final whistle blew, and the score read 3-1 to Witham. It was a tough loss, but Romford showed resilience throughout. Despite the result, there were lessons to take away—tracking back defensively was a strength, but decision-making under pressure needed work.

A game of Brain vs Brawn, and on this occasion, Witham’s relentless pressure won the battle.

MOM- Lisa