We have always talked our girls up and praised them with some really great work and performances although we had been losing our games. Today is different because today, not only do we get to praise the girls for an amazing performance, but also they walked away as winners earning there first 3 points of the season.

We made a tweak to our formation for today's game by changing to a 4-5-1. This allowed us to drop an extra player into the middle of the park to help get some more control and stability, and oh how it worked. From the first whistle our girls got the ball and started to put pressure on our opponents. The extra player in midfield allowed our wide players to stay wide and drive at the defence whenever we had possession.
There was some back and forth in the opening 5 minutes as both teams looked to settle in to the game and look for openings. That opening didn't take long as in the 6th minute, Millie broke down the right side before cutting into the box and slotting the ball past the Tranent keeper. Cramond then gained some momentum and continued to create a few more chances. Then in the 9th minute, Millie again, broke down the right and just like her first goal, slotted the ball past the keeper.

We had been defending fantastically up to this point by playing simple football. always making contact with the ball first, clearing our lines and pushing out quickly. However, Tranent managed to create an opening and a great ball over the top (and a dubious offside) Tranent ran through on goal and managed to find the bottom corner in the 13th minute.
We managed to get a hold of the game again after this and things settled down a little, before a push on one of our midfielders lead to us winning a free kick near the half way line. Isla stepped up and put a sensational ball forward, straight down the middle of the pitch. Ellie allowed the ball to run past her and burst through on goal, before calmly placing the ball into the bottom corner in the 20th minute. This was the last meaningful action of the half and the first half finished 3-1 to Cramond.

After the restart, Tranent made a quick start, and pulled a goal back 2 minutes into the 2nd half. This didn't affect our girls though as they regained control of the ball and started to put pressure back on Tranent. Then in the 47th minute, we broke down the right and played a fantastic ball across the box, which Anna put in the back of the net at the back post.
The game then levelled out and both teams tried to create openings, with Tranent pushing the hardest to try and get another goal back. But with some great defending from Louisa and Lolaeve, we managed to hold strong.

We had outstanding performances from Scarlett, Sophia and Lexi in the middle of the park and they showed amazing energy throughout the entire match. Again we won a free kick, due to a push on one of our players, but this time just outside the box. Isla again stepped up and put a great ball in direct to the keeper, Who initially made the save but couldn't keep hold of it and it fell to the feet of Ellie, who managed to get it over the line for her 2nd of the day. we were completely dominant from that point and pretty much played out the match in Tranent's half. The added pressure from us proved too much for Tranent as we broke down the left, where Millie cut in to the box and hit a driven shot into the far side of the goal, to get our 6th of the game and Millie's 3rd, claiming her first hat-trick.

This was a team performance and without Rhyley making some great tackles and clearances, Jess playing at right back for the first time and having her best game of the season so far. Rebecca ran her heart out today, winning the ball and driving down the wing and running in behind creating space. Laurie was only able to play in the first half today, but had an incredible game and with her ability to play the ball with both feet, makes her a natural on our left. And the final mention goes the Hollie, who without a doubt has the hardest job of all, playing in goals. Hollie has been fantastic, and not only does she make some great saves but her communication to the defensive line is just incredible.

The girls didn't get today's result because they needed it, they got it because they put in the work, the effort, the time and were by far the better team on the pitch. They deserved the win and the 3 points.