PBFC return to winning ways

Goalscorer Dayle Kirby alongside teammates Shereen Johal and Sophia Zizzi.

PBFC’s winning penalty goal.

Call an ambulance! But not for me…

Proud Baggies made a stunning comeback to win our first ever league game in the new GFSN Development League, beating Leicester Wildecats 2-1 thanks to two goals from attacker Dayle Kirby - our resident paramedic who knows something about saving the day!

PBFC were hosted by the Wildecats at St George’s Park yesterday, the home of England Football. We took a full squad on the short trip north, to east Staffordshire and the outskirts of Burton-on-Trent. Playing on Pitch 2 - named after (Sir) David Beckham - our Baggies got in and primed, ready for the 4pm kick-off under the lights.

The team started brightly but were under pressure from an eager and robust Leicester side boasting more experience in GFSN competition and keen to use the home advantage to dent Proud Baggies confidence. That pressure told around the 20 minute mark when a powerful shot from distance soared over keeper Gaz Hales and tucked itself under the crossbar.

Undeterred, Proud Baggies FC kept at it, and a clutch throughball from midfielder Marika Malinowska found Dayle Kirby whose fierce shot fizzed over the Wildecats keeper’s shoulder to even the tie. Substitute Shereen Johal would then earn the side a penalty kick just before half time, having been felled in the box by the Wildecats’ right-back, and it was on Kirby to double his tally and put PBFC into the lead for the first time in the game - which he did.

Whilst the second half wasn’t the same goal fest as the first 45, Proud Baggies - now in the lead - used the break to settle into our style of football; two touch pass-and-move football that kept Wildecats running and the ball at Albion feet, rather than trying to play over the top against a far superior team in the air. This disciplined, smarter play made for a tight half, with slim chances for both teams, and PBFC emerged with a huge three points to begin our campaign.

Our second game - time and date to be announced - will be an away fixture in the spring against Village Manchester.