Eagles U14 Ice Vs Sherwood Colliery F.C. Ladies U12's

MATCH REPORT 18/09/2022

Sherwood Colliery U12 v Arnold Eagles U12 Avengers

Glorious sunshine at Debdale Park for our second game of the season and what an enthralling game it was.

The starting line up 3 – 3 – 1 - 1: Evie, Caitlin – Lilith - Faith, Laila – Jenny - Eliza, Maya, Leah

Subs: Cerys, Violet, Ava

Before kick off there was a minute’s silence in memory of the Queen, beautifully observed by both teams.

We started very well with some good passing between all the girls right from the start. Two minutes into the game a pass from Lilith to Jenny was pushed through the Sherwood Colliery defence for Leah to run on to and hit a terrific shot that the keeper saved brilliantly, knocking it wide of the goal only for Eliza, following up, to meet the ball and hit it into the bottom corner GOOOOOOOOOOAL! Sherwood Colliery 0 - 1 Avengers

We dominated for the next 10 minutes and but for their goalkeeper would have been further ahead. She saved good efforts from Leah and Eliza. Pleasing to see us playing the ball out from the back with confidence with Lilith, Caitlin and Faith looking comfortable on the ball. Jenny was working hard in centre-mid, well supported by the running of Eliza and Laila who were chasing down the ball and taking on defenders. Maya was buzzing about linking the play from midfield to Leah who was proving a constant threat to the Sherwood Colliery defence with her pace.

There was one bizarre moment when Caitlin inadvertently mis-kicked the ball back towards Evie who picked it up, the referee awarding a free kick for a back-pass! We hadn’t practised for that!! The girls had no idea what to do, Steve was shouting instructions to the defence to line up on the goal line but they were all busy marking up. Thankfully the free kick went straight to Evie who collected it and put a great kick in that Leah almost reached before it was cleared.

15 minutes gone and time for the subs to come on; Cerys for Evie, Violet for Maya and Ava for Leah. Sherwood Colliery started to play some good football putting us under pressure and the confident defending in the first quarter disappeared. Then Sherwood Colliery gained control with a penalty awarded for handball, tucked away giving Cerys no chance. 1 -1 Quickly followed by a second goal with our defence opened up for their striker to break through and shoot past Cerys. 2 – 1. They almost scored a third but the shot flashed wide.  The half time whistle came – time to re-group.

Steve explained that the team had lost its shape after the subs went on, so the team talk was about getting the shape back, by passing the ball as they did in the first quarter and to communicate to each other. He made some changes with Lilith and Faith coming off and a new back three of Laila, Violet and Eliza, Ava in centre-mid and Jenny on the left, Caitlin on the right. Steve wanted to see a positive start and despite a few changes he was confident they knew what to do. Hands in and the Avengers Assemble shout and set up for the second half.

There was just time for a quick chat with Lilith, Faith and Cerys to say forget that last quarter and when you go back on play with confidence and you will be fine. We certainly started strong with Maya linking the play, as she does, whilst Ava’s physical presence in midfield won us more possession, allowing the wide players to be more involved. What a start to the second half with the ball being passed around so well. Two minutes in and Ava won the ball in midfield passed it wide to Caitlin, received the ball back and slipped it through their defence to the ever-alert Leah. Crisp shot – GOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL 2 – 2. Game on.

We were so dominant that Evie was merely a spectator as we kept pressing forward. Laila and Eliza were solid and Violet swept up any loose balls. The link play between Laila and Caitlin on the right and Eliza and Jenny on the left was lovely to see. However, that elusive third goal eluded us. There was one dangerous moment when Sherwood Colliery broke through the middle and their striker latched onto it and raced for goal. No worries as Violet came across and did a perfect shoulder to shoulder challenge easing the player of the ball and moving the ball forward to set up another attack. Brilliant defending!

Would our pressure be rewarded? Yes it would as Ava won the ball and slipped it on to Jenny who evaded a challenge and slipped the ball through to Leah. A moment of magic as she drew the keeper out, then stopped, turned her body and passed the ball into the far corner GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL! 2 – 3. What a finish!

15 minutes to go and time for our final changes – Cerys for Evie, Lilith for Laila and Faith for Eliza. More shots, brilliantly saved by their keeper, more chances but no goals. Then Sherwood Colliery had a purple patch as the game was in its final stages. Would we rue those missed chances? Our shape was still good and every player was doing their very best so could we absorb the pressure? They were given a free kick on the edge of the box right in front of goal. We marked up well and Cerys positioned herself by the right hand post; the free kick was well hit and moving fast….as it whistled by the post. We then attacked, lost the ball and as they pushed forward for the equalizer – another free kick in almost the same position. Cerys moved to the right again and the box was full of players. The shot came in and on target for the top corner, Cerys got her hands up…..and pushed it out for a corner. Fantastic save!

Then it was over – huge celebration from all the girls. Well played to Sherwood Colliery in a very entertaining game played in the right spirit by both teams. Thanks to referee Chris for helping the girls learn about throw-ins but keeping play moving.

Over to the parents to award the Player of the Match trophy with smiles all round. They had all played well so a difficult choice for Steve to make. It went to Eliza, scoring her first goal for the team and playing in two different positions, equally well.