The tough end to the season means another player out due to injury. Sarah Lloyd was missing as she was still on crutches from the injury sustained against Hethersett. A surprise injury was Mel Stickland who was out with a suspected broken rib. With Tarnya McKew still out we were able to bring in Jo Woolnough and Sandy Page so kept the two substitute thing going. Peterborough turned up with only one substitute but strong due to the signings of several of the disbanded Combination Bedford Belles side. On paper it looked a very even game with both teams having nearly identical league statistics. On the pitch it proved that both teams were evenly matched although with different styles. Woodbridge needed to be patient and build the play where as Peterborough were able to attack with pace and ask our defence serious questions. As the game progressed it became clear that both defences were able to deal quite comfortably any questions asked. Woodbridge caused themselves problems by condensing the play and being extremely lop sided. Peterborough by contrast were opening the play and using the full width of the pitch. Chances were few and far between and at a real premium. Woodbridge best two opportunities of the half both came from set piece routines. The first was an excellent corner delivered by Charlie Roach which flashed across the six yard box and only short of that missing head, knee, shin or anything that would have changed its direction. The second was a free kick this time played in by Jess Taylor and again the only thing missing was that vital touch. Peterborough also had a couple of chances one which was superbly saved by Nikki Scott. Just before the first half came to a conclusion one of those off side decisions raised its ugly head. Peterborough were on the attack and the ball was played through which one of their forwards latched on to and was in for one on one with the keeper. The Woodbridge lino (who was having an outstanding game – no he really was having a blinder!) kept his flag down and waited for the inevitable goal. The referee then intervened to pull play up for off side. When asked about the decision he cleared things up by letting us know that it was the first player in the second and third phase of the fourth quarter! With that cleared up nicely it was time to end the first half with the scores level. Maybe it’s me being old but off side was a lot easier in the ‘good old days’. Half-Time: 0-0 The second half started with the thunder and lightning getting worse and causing some of the player’s serious concerns. Believe it or not but some people had no idea it had been thundering in the first half. You have to be seriously blind and extremely hard of hearing not to have noticed the weather in the first half, but apparently one of the linesmen had managed to be oblivious to it all! Anyway back to the football and the second half continued in similar fashion to the first. A slight difference being Woodbridge began using more of the width than in the first half. I am not saying the weather was getting worse but we did consider switching off the lights and just use the lightning!! Midway through the first half the deadlock was finally broken. The Woodbridge back three who had dealt admirably with the Peterborough forwards were caught out of position and paid the price. The one thing you can’t afford to allow their forwards is any space as they are lethal. Despite this setback we continue to take the game to them and were rewarded with an equaliser. The chance fell to our leading goal scorer and Lauren Richardson calmly finished from inside the box. At this point of the match with the weather still unpleasant Maria Rudd (Peterborough’s manager, first aider, trainer, mini bus driver, secretary, fundraiser, etc. – you know the type of diamond I am on about) was quite happy to settle for a draw. Imagine her delight when they got their noses in front again. Unfortunately our back three made only their second mistake of the match and the rest is history. On the night I felt a draw would have been a fair result although you can’t deny Peterborough the win with the quality of their finishing. Full-Time 1-2 (Richardson) Squad: Scott, Taylor, Parker, Whittingstall, Steed, Graham, Richardson, Hadley, Yarnton, Roach, Jones. Unused Subs: Page, Woolnough