Woodbridge would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Louisa and Kelly for turning Dagenham into very worthy champions. To think that they finished in the relegation play-off position last season the turnaround must be very pleasing. As for us it was same as last week except for the return of Lauren Richardson. The weather had still not improved as it was hot and sunny with no sign of any welcome rain. The players were asked to start this game when the whistle was blown and not to wait until we found ourselves behind. I am pleased to report that they took things onboard and competed from the first whistle. If they had decided not to compete from the word go a side like Dagenham would have put them in serious trouble. So although starting the game with the desire required the first 10-15 mins lacked any real quality. This is not to suggest that things improved dramatically from this point but it had become an honest game evenly contested. The major talking point of this half was a free kick conceded by Paula Graham. Was it inside the box or out and was Paula the last man (woman) or not. When the manager was asked his view of the incident he just done an ‘Arsene Wenger’ and denied seeing the incident at all saying he would go with Andy Gray’s version later that evening! The important thing was the referee thought it was outside the box and Captain Lynn Whittingstall assured us all she was covering so the last man thing was irrelevant. As a matter of interest the kick was taken and missed everything going for a goal kick. The half continued evenly contested with both sides gaining the odd corner without either keeper being seriously tested. Woodbridge would probably be the happier going in level but both sides would be pleased to not be behind. Half-Time: 0-0 The second half started with the Woodbridge players warned during the break that Dagenham would come out determined to take all three points. This is exactly what happened as Dagenham were looking the sharper side and the most likely to score. As is normal with a comment like that Woodbridge was the team to take the lead. The ball was swung into the Dagenham box across the six yard area with two or three Woodbridge players attempting to header the ball. Unbelievable I know but true, at least three trying to score! The final touch was by Jemma Yarnton who beat the keeper from close in. We were now beginning to believe that we could actually beat the champions. This belief was backed up by Dagenham beating our back four on several occasions only to miss the target completely. It does not mean that we were outplayed but Dagenham did squander some very good opportunities. Woodbridge made two substations bringing on Sophie Barham and Lauren Richardson for Sami Jones and Stacey Hadley. These were like for like changes without moving any other players or changing formations. We were now entering the final few minutes and victory was in touching distance. We faced one final problem but it was a big one. Dagenham’s leading goal scorer (and the league’s leading scorer with a massive 36 goals) Sarah Sinclaire decided to make it 37 for the season. Having gone clear of our defence we could only hope for another poor finish but it was not to be and the equaliser arrived. It must be said that a draw was the least Dagenham deserved and a result we should be pleased with. So it was just left to the referee to blow the whistle and bring the season to its conclusion. Full-Time: 1-1 (Yarnton) Player of the Match: Amy Parker Squad: Scott, Taylor, Parker, Whittingstall, Graham, Hadley (Barham), Steed, Roach, Yarnton, Jones (Richardson), Stickland Just as a matter of interest (or not) take a look at this and last season’s completed statistics. 2007/2008 - P22 - W10 - D2 - L10 - F41 - A40 - PTS32 2008/2009 - P22 - W10 - D2 - L10 - F42 - A43 - PTS32 Let’s hope we are not becoming predicable and boring!