Birmingham County Women's Football League - 11th. October 2009 Tipton Ladies 2 v 2 Studley Women Studley Women travelled to last season's division one runners up, Tipton Ladies, expecting a very tough game. They were not disappointed, except for the very sorry state of the pitch which was not conducive to their usual passing game. Tipton started the brighter putting Studley on the back foot and it was only due to some fine defensive play and the heroics of the Studley keeper, Laura Moore that Tipton were not well in front before the game had really started. However, Tipton did take the lead after ten minutes when the defence lost concentration for a second to allow a Tipton player to poach a goal. This just seemed to spur Studley on and they began to compete and put their opponents under pressure. This was rewarded when after a series of corners a Tipton defender handled the ball to give away a penalty. It must be stated here that the penalty was actually given by one of the Tipton players who was running the line and not the referee. Commendable honesty which we all applauded. Sam Tayler strode up to level the scores. The rest of the half was good end to end stuff, but mainly long ball tactics from both sides due to the state of the pitch. With no further score the half ended level at 1-1. The second half was almost a copy of the first. Tipton taking the lead after fifty five minutes when converting a long through ball that was not dealt with by the Studley defence. This again seemed to stir Studley, who pressed forward striving for an equaliser, with Tipton mainly a threat on the break. After seventy five minutes Studley fortunately, but deservedly got back on level terms. Lisa Hodges broke down the right, beating the defender for speed and put in what appeared to be a relatively weak cross that was too close to the keeper, who only had to pick it up. Fortunately for Studley, she allowed the ball to creep through her legs and Tessa Whittingham was on hand to prod it home. Studley could sense victory and pushed forward in search of the winner, but time was not on their side and the game ended level at 2-2 Manager's player of the match: Helen Taylor Referee's player of the match: Lisa Hodges Team: 1 - Laura Moore 24 - Becky Butler 4 - Sherri-Anne Pegg 16 - Samantha Tayler 5 - Helen Taylor 20 - Emily Johnson 18 - Samantha Wilkinson 7 - Becky Ankcorn 17 - Tessa Whittingham 8 - Becky Newman 11 - Helen Boyle Subs 2 - Laura Gordon 9 - Lisa Hodges 15 - Laura Bashford