Match Preview – FGR Women travel to Middlezoy Rovers Ladies FC (2pm | 30/01/22)

Venue: Westonzoyland Aerodrome, TA7 0ES

Entry: Adults – £2 | U16 – Free

Bar: Open

FGR are back on the road for the second week in a row as they travel down the M5 for their encounter with Middlezoy Rovers Ladies FC.

Last Time Out For FGR

FGR travelled to Bideford AFC who have been improving each week as the season continues. FGR were hit by illness amongst the squad (non-covid) meaning Tom Needham had only 10 players available for his first away fixture in charge.

However, FGR have shown themselves to have plenty of character and they showed it again as they headed in to half time one goal to the good. In the second half FGR were able to make their possession start to pay off and started to impose themselves more on the game, finishing 6-0 winners.

Goals came from Hattie Jones adding to her impressive tally from midfield whilst Charlie Rowlands made it 5 goals from 3 games to continue her impressive form in front of goal. Georgia Vandries notched a hat trick to show why FGR were so pleased to have the attacker join from Bristol Rovers earlier this season. The other goal was scored by Ashleigh Barclay who found the net on her first appearance for FGR this season.

What could have been a difficult day for FGR ended up being 3pts made up on some teams ahead of them in the table and a second win from two games in charge for Needham.

The Opposition

Middlezoy Rovers play on the old Westonzoyland Airfield, which was an active base during WW2. They are managed by Harry Buckley who took over in the middle of October last year and they will go into this game buoyed by their impressive display in their narrow 1-0 defeat to table toppers Sherborne last week.

The Zoy, as they are sometimes known amongst fans, are nicknamed the magpies and fittingly they wear a black and white striped shirt accompanied by black shorts and socks.

Currently residing in 9^th in the table Zoy have been unlucky in many games where they have only lost by a narrow margin, meaning they are a stronger opponent than their league standing might suggest.

Ones To Watch

Captain Georgia Coles is a mainstay of the magpies’ team alongside vice-captain Nicole Bell; both recording a lot of appearances so far this season.

Their main goal threat comes from Chloe Snook who has scored an impressive 19 goals so far this season, leaving her third in the race for the golden boot. Sophie Hart also provides a dangerous outlet going forward, having scored 5 from 12 appearances.

FGR will also be familiar with goalkeeper Faye Edwards who put in a superb performance the last time the two sides met, earning her the player of the match award for The Zoy.

Last Meeting Between The Two Sides

The two sides met in December as FGR played host. Charlie Rowlands’ quick fire double saw FGR open up a lead before a quick one-two between Jones and Vandries saw Jones add a third. After half time Jones turned provider as her lay off enabled a smart finish from Rowlands to complete her hattrick and make it 4-0 to FGR. FGR performed well at the back as Sam Morris and Sophie Herbert, both playing at CB, helped keep Zoy at bay. However, Middlezoy were able to find a consolation as a smart through ball on the break allowed the pacey Snook to run through before cutting back inside and firing into the bottom corner, beyond FGR keeper Panniers, to end the game 4-1.

Did you know?

The ground which Middlezoy play on has recently had a new club house built and it has resulted in the pitch rotating 90 degrees.

Looking Further Ahead

FGR follow up their trip to Zoy with away games at Torquay (06/02) and MAP (13/02) before a home fixture against unbeaten AFC St Austell Ladies on Sunday 20 February.