West Bridgford Wookies vs Arnold Eagles Lightning U12

The pitch was in good condition but both teams faced a strong wind blowing across the pitch. Team selection was easy today as we only had nine players. The starting line-up was Olivia, Keeley, Scarlett, Kayleigh, Keira, Chloe, Crystal, Sharay and Mia.

We kicked off and straight away moved forward with Sharay bursting through and shooting just wide of the righthand post. For the next few minutes, we controlled the game and the girls were passing the ball around as they did last week, with strength and control. Our dominance paid off and on 9 minutes, a sweeping move down the left saw Crystal slip the ball through the defence to Sharay, who took it in her stride and placed it past the keeper. 1-0 to Lightning.

From the restart, Wookies passed the ball through midfield, the ball reaching the winger,  who cut inside the penalty area and was about to shoot as Olivia came out, blocked the shot with her feet and as the ball spun away, dived on it to secure it. Great save!

We were working well down both flanks with Keeley and Mia on the right and Keira and Crystal on the left. Crystal and Keeley both getting shots away and Sharay firing just wide. Chloe was working really hard in midfield and passing with great accuracy to Crystal, Mia and Sharay. Wookies rarely got into our half, but when they did, they were met by a hard-tackling Kayleigh and a solid Scarlett. They got a couple of shots away from distance, which were easily gathered by Olivia. Just before half-time Scarlett clipped a ball to Mia on the right, and with a great first touch, slipped it through to Sharay whose first-time shot was brilliantly pushed away by the Wookies keeper. Seconds later, a Wookies player was caught offside just in our half. Scarlett took the freekick and used the wind to her advantage, the ball beating the keeper and just going over the bar. Half time, 1-0 to Lightning.

We started the second half with only 8 players, as Mia had taken a knock on her ankle and needed a few minutes recovery time. We continued to control the game but were pleased when Mia came back on after 5 minutes. We made a change at half time, moving Keeley and Mia to the left. The new set-up now had Keira and Crystal on the right. Our shape was still good, and all our play was being orchestrated by Chloe. Defensively, Kayleigh was making some crunching tackles and always getting the ball to Chloe. Alongside her, Scarlett continued to lift the ball forward to Crystal, Mia and Sharay.

However, Wookies were getting back into the game as the team began to tire, but Sharay was still a threat. Keira was not going to let them get past her and broke up many of their attacks down the right by pushing them wide. A dangerous break down our right saw a Wookies player race towards goal and as entered the penalty area, she was tackled by Olivia, which sent the ball spiralling out, to be cleared by Scarlett. Olivia`s positioning and awareness had been brilliant all game as was her use of the ball in difficult conditions.

We were now playing on the break and from a perfect through ball from Chloe, Sharay raced clear shooting past the keeper! 2-0 and 6 minutes to play. Wookies then began playing some good football and we were clearly tiring. Just after Sharay’s second goal, a sweeping move by Wookies saw the ball fired in from the left. Olivia made a fantastic save but could only parry it straight to another Wookies player who slid it into an empty net. 2-1 to lightning.

From the restart, Wookies gained possession, pushed forward and the striker hit an unstoppable shot into the top righthand corner. 2-2 with 2 minutes to play. Could we hold out? Sadly, no. in the final minute Wookies fired a shot passed Olivia, and before we could score the equalizer, the whistle blew. Final score 3-2 to Wookies.

Well done girls, all 9 of you played with confidence and composure, building on last week’s performance and we are very proud of your efforts. You played very well and the whole team almost got player of the match for working so hard and playing so well in hard conditions. A couple of shoutouts to Keeley for playing despite being ill, to Chloe for dominating midfield for most of the game and to Sharay for two superbly taken goals.

Player of the match went to Olivia.

 

 

Gedling SB u13 1: 3 Arnold Eagles u13 

                                    Rosie 2

                                     Millie W

 

This was a real battle against two committed sides in 7th & 8th position in the league. The wind at Arnold Hill school made the conditions tough for the girls but that did not detract from a super game of football.

 

Arnold started down the slope with the wind in their direction and it was Rosie Marshall’s quick feet that created the first after some smart work by Millie W. It was soon 2-0 as a trademark ‘Marshall turn’ * left the Gedling defenders for dead and gave Rosie her second of the game. (* Formerly known as a Cruyff turn )

Arnold tried hard to get a third whilst they had the wind/slope but Gedlings defence stood firm and their goalkeeper made some great saves. Olivia dazzled on the flank - some of her tricks and turns looked impossible but every time she came out with the ball and helped set off attack after attack. The returning Milli D added some much needed steel in the middle of the park and tackled anything that moved - great to have Milli back in there. Maddie was her usual brilliant self in goal snuffing out dangerous situations time and time again - I know this can literally be written every week but today she was absolutely flawless. The second half started & Olivia C in only her second game showed great pace up front (I’m reliably informed Olivias Dad beat second placed Matt Slade by a good 30m in the Dads race at Arnot Vale one year - so no surprise at the speed on display). She latched onto another brilliant through ball from Olivia.M and on a less windy day may have scored her first Arnold goal. Gedling started to apply a bit of pressure on the visitors goal but in Charlotte, Shelby & Katie we have 3 committed defenders and their line was perfect throughout the game - Charlottes display bagging her the managers player of the game. Arnold kept attacking whenever they could get out - the electric Sophie proved a valuable outlet and almost scored whilst Rosch battled hard to keep the ball at the hosts end with great success. A stunning Katie goal-line clearance kept us in the lead at 2-1 and Shelbys willingness to always clear when required eased the pressure further. With minutes to go a clever ball round the corner from Katie found Olivia M who in turn played in Millie W who looked up and chipped the goalie - it was no more than she deserved as she terrorised the Gedling defence. It was a great win and a game played in a nice spirit - Gedling never gave up and on another day their pressure may have earned them a point.

 

A final word on Grace who made her debut today. I took training when Grace first came down as a nervous, shy 12y/o. Fast forward to today and she showed the confidence to play in a proper game for the first time and looked right at home. There were some nice touches along the way and she will no doubt feature more and more as she gets used to playing. A great reflection on Grace for her bravery in joining a new team and making new friends, on Sam & the other Dads for helping her progress to this point and of course to this great bunch of girls for making Grace feel welcome and giving her the confidence to play her first competitive match. A gentle reminder to all of us parents why we love our girls playing sport and the life skills they can develop whilst doing so!

 

PLAYER OF THE GAME - OLIVIA - Strong in tackle, amazing skills on display and rarely wasted a pass. Terrific performance.