Sometimes a football game seems to be cursed. Evidence enough for this statement was plentiful during Northumbria University W1 Football’s 0-0 draw against Stirling: the hosts set the tone from the very beginning of the match but failed to put the ball in the net.
Despite the disappointing result, Amber Whiteley, Northumbria University’s Head of Performance Football, was proud of the team’s unbending willpower.
“Obviously we are disappointed that it didn’t work out with the three points, but I am pleased [that the girls] never took their foot off the gas right until the final whistle,” she said
“We showed good character.
“I think we hit the bar four times in total so sometimes it’s just one of those days - you don’t get that bit of luck that you need.”
Northumbria dominated the game but Stirling arrived on Tyneside determined to defend their goal and take a point back north of the border.
“They defended well and their keeper just had a good game but we didn’t really test her enough,” added Whiteley.
“We were a little bit unlucky but I felt we had enough opportunities to put one away.
“There were probably times where we could have built it up more in the final third. There were times where we shot from distance, but actually we could have built it up to get closer to the goal rather than always going route one.”
Ahead of the derby fixture against second placed Durham University next Wednesday, Whiteley hopes that the team rediscovers its goalscoring qualities.
“Obviously we’ve got a really tough game next week against Durham,” she added.
“We will work on Monday now on the final third, building up the play, being patient and looking to create opportunities in behind and close to the goal.”
Benedict Esser
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