Chester FC Women end 2019 with a 4-2 friendly defeat to The New Saints Ladies, as Abi France grabs a consolation goal for the Blues.
Chester found it difficult to get into the game as TNS dominated the first half and winger France admitted the team 'struggled' in the first 45 minutes.
“I think we were lacking ideas (in the first half) our game plan was to push everyone out wide, but we realised how wide they were getting.” said France. “We lacked a bit of knowledge in terms of where to go and what to do, but we regained that in the second half.
“I think we really stepped us a team to be honest. We really struggled in the first half, but we felt we were really strong at defending but struggled to use our wide players and get it up top. In the second half we came together and used the width to the best of our ability and that’s where we got the goal from”.
Rachel Kelly’s impressive cross from the left found France at the back post to tap in her second goal of the season, in what was a much improved second half.
“I haven’t been on it (the score sheet) since the first game so it’s nice to end the year on another goal and I’m proper made up with it.”
The Seals struggled to get out of their own half or have any real possession in what was a very poor opening 45 minutes. A much better version came out in the second half as Chester matched the Saints, with manager, Martin Fitzsimons, changing things up at the interval.
France added, “I think we noticed it straight away to be honest (the improved performance), as soon as we had the defenders step up, we stretched the pitch out a bit more and gave ourselves space. We play best with space and we used the strength of having speed in our team to be able to get the goal the way we did.”
France will be looking to keep up her good performances as she can be influential in Chester getting through what is poised to be a season defining start to the new decade, as the difficult fixtures come thick and fast.
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