Match Report: Thackley AFC 0 - 3 Republica Internationale Womens

Republica Internationale Women continued their winning streak last Sunday, beating league leaders Thackley AFC 3 - 0 on away turf. Unbeaten in the league since the beginning of the 2017 season, Thackley’s fortunes changed as they faced a well organised, confident and spirited Republica team who dominated the game from the off.

Considering Thackley AFC’s previous score lines this season - they’ve a goal difference of 32 and beating teams with double digit figures - Republica took to the pitch with a defensive formation: Kamilla Klausholm in goal, a back four of Georgia Ellis, Gemma Taylor, Hilary Rees and Rachel Grima, supported by two defensive midfielders - Molly Asher and Dolores Terszonie. Striker Jane Turner was joined in midfield by Natasha Del-Grande in the middle, Lorna Gledhill on the right, and captain Tania Aghanian on the left.

Early in the first half, it was clear that this was to be no one-sided game. A confident and strong defensive line allowed Del-Grande and Asher to push the game forward, resulting in some early shots on goal from Turner and Gledhill. With Thackley down to 10 players due to injury, it wasn’t long until a cross from Gledhill met Turner in the box, giving Republica the lead. With Klausholm pulling off some brilliant saves from dangerous Thackley crosses after their team were back up to 11 players, before the half was out Turner had slotted home another cross from the wings, leaving Republica 2-0 at half time.

Going into the second half, Thackley’s players were losing composure as Republica continued to dominate the game. With tensions in the home side rising, Republica maintained their cool and a through ball over the Thackley defence from Turner gave Asher clear shot on goal, putting Republica 3-0 up. Despite increased efforts towards the end of the game, Thackley failed to get the ball into the back of the Republica net, thanks to dogged defending from Rees, Taylor, Grima and Ellis, and a brilliant goal-line clearance from substitute McCarthy. Unfortunately, tensions amongst the home side came to a head in the final ten minutes, resulting in a red card for a Thackley defender, leaving the team back down to 10 players at the final whistle.

Thanks to her commanding performance in goal, Klausholm took home player of the match. However, this undeniably surprising, but well deserved win for Republica women was well and truly a team effort, testament to the positive spirit of the club.

We really are about more than football - and sometimes that makes us a pretty good football team.

Republica Women face Boroughbridge in their 7th league fixture at home this Sunday (28th October) at 2pm.