The clocks may have gone back but road works on the Forth Road Bridge meant no extra hour in bed for our girls as they travelled to Meggetland, Edinburgh via Stirling for a 1pm kick off against Boroughmuir 17s. Seven of the Thirteen who travelled played against Montrose 15s twenty four hours earlier so this was going to be a tough match for the girls.

Line up:
Becky Cameron , Eve Barnett , Ellie Cowie , Vicky Goodwin , Lisa Stewart , Robyn Hughes , Deanna Haxton , Chloe Robertson , Casey Townsley , Lauren Rose Smith , Eilidh Robertson Subs – Megan Sidey , Sheyenne Bayne

The wind swirled around in different directions as the game got underway. Jeanfield started brightest, Lisa Stewart found Chloe Robertson with a pass to create the first half chance of the game. Robertson released Lauren Rose Smith who appeared to time her run perfectly for a one v one with the keeper but the whistle ended hope of an early goal and terrific start. Jeanfield continued to be the busiest team and were very committed all over to win the ball back and prevent Boroughmuir passing around before releasing a final through ball. Vicky Goodwin was covering a lot of pitch from centre back but tracked back well to usher the ball out or tackle. Becky Cameron had to make a good save to keep the score goal less but it was Jeanfield attacking the most.

Persistent pressure was to pay off with ten minutes played. Lauren Rose Smith scored her tenth goal in four games with 15s and 17s to open the scoring. The young forward is clearly loving life at Jeanfield at the moment and was too quick for the keeper when she seized on a poor back pass to run in and nick a goal. Lisa Stewart was struggling with a breathing issue so was replaced by Sheyenne Bayne as the game got back underway. A nice bit of skill from Chloe Robertson impressed the spectators but as she waited for the ball to sit for the shot the Boroughmuir defence was quick to clear.

Goal number two came straight after this however. Robertson tried a shot but it was deflected and fell to Casey who drove past the defender in front of her before firing in a lovely strike to find the top corner.

Jeanfield were marking well as Boroughmuir continued to press. Lauren Rose Smith collected the ball at half way and turned her marker well to send Casey Townsley through on goal. Townsley did well to get a shot away but found the side netting. Robertson came close after good work from Smith played her in. Deanna Haxton was strong in the middle and was making it difficult for Boroughmuir to keep hold of the ball around the circle. Some dangerous passes were being played by Haxton, Robyn Hughes and Eilidh Robertson but despite being two goals down, Boroughmuir deserve some credit for defending well.

The ever committed and passionate Ellie Cowie instinctively slid out at the left back area to prevent an attack up the right. With seven a side goals at the side of the pitch a little too close for liking momentum carried Cowie into one of them and she took a really nasty knock to her knee forcing her to go off. 15s Keeper Megan Sidey found herself in unfamiliar territory when she was forced to come on for Cowie. Boroughmuir came close to scoring with a shot just past the post but the games third goal was a Jeanfield goal. Superb individual play from Chloe Robertson wowed everyone watching. Robertson ran from half way through two defenders to rush into the box and fire a shot into the far bottom corner.

The second half was sluggish compared to the first. Jeanfield appeared to play as though they had done enough and were seeing the game out. Perhaps end of season fatigue and the fact so many of the team had played a tough game away to Montrose the day before affected play but the game was very much blow for blow with battling play and lots of bouncing balls. Lisa had her breath back and went back on up front for Eilidh. She came close to getting on the end of balls on a few occasions and linked well with those around her.

With twenty minutes of the second half played, the fourth goal came and ended the game as a contest. Chloe Robertson played a cross come shot for the back post. The keeper slapped the ball out but it hit off the unsuspecting Lauren Rose Smith who was in the right place at the right time before bouncing off a Boroughmuir player to find the net.

Recovered from her 1st half knock, Ellie Cowie came on for Deanna Haxton who was applauded off the field. Five minutes later Boroughmuir pulled a goal back from good play and the hosts deserved their goal. Both teams had chances and as legs tired, Ellie switched to front right for Casey with Deanna coming back on to shore up the midfield again. Boroughmuir never gave up with the closing ten minutes belonging to them.

This was a win ground out from applying real pressure and player determination. Deanna Haxton has not had much game time this season but her improvement was evident for all to see. She did the simple things well and was deservedly coaches player of the game. Becky Cameron had a fabulous game making numerous great saves and marshalling her back line well. The players voted for Deanna and Becky in equal numbers so whilst both deserved it, Becky just gets the nod with Deanna having got coaches vote.

With Spartans and Hibs the only two games left for Jeanfield 17s a challenging end to the season lies ahead.

MJC