Buzzards v Bottesford
Posted by Richard Povey on 6 May 2021
Arnold Eagles under 11 Buzzards v Bottesford 2/5/21
Our first game back after lockdown, at home. Some changes since our last game with a couple of players leaving and a couple of injuries. Violet was cricketing and new recruit Ava was unavailable because of a prior commitment.
The starting line up was:
Sav, Dobbo, Alice, Millie, Mala, Evie-Rose and Grace
Sub was Katie
What a start from Bottesford, scoring early on and that made them more confident. Sav pulled off a couple of excellent saves, but they dominated us and built a healthy lead before we had to make a substitution. Dobbo having to come off with an injury, with Katie going into goal and Sav replacing Dobbo, alongside Alice in defence.
The girls then had a good spell of play with great play down both flanks, Grace having some great runs down the left and Mala strong down the right. Millie was like a terrier in midfield, making tackles and passing the ball out wide. Evie-Rose was tireless up front, making great runs and hassling the Bottesford defence.
That was the pattern for the rest of the game with us working hard throughout. A slight change at half time with Mala and Grace swopping over. Katie was having an inspired game in goal, pulling of some fine saves. Sav was growing in confidence at the back, clearing the ball out several times.
The girls got their reward in the 43rd minute when the tireless Alice tackled a girl twice her height (!) and slipped the ball to Millie who took it forward as Evie-Rose made a decoy run taking the defence away from Grace who received Millie’s pass, ran on, and thumped it home with that trusty right boot GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL!! Plenty of smiles after that one.
The last quarter saw several good runs from Mala, Grace and captain Evie-Rose, and although we came close, we couldn’t get that second goal. Dobbo came back allowing us to put Sav back in goal and give Katie a well-earned rest.
Player of the Match was given to Millie for her energy, effort and determined tackling throughout the game.
The coaches were delighted by the performance considering it was the first match after 5 months! The fitness work the girls had done showed with their tremendous work rate throughout.
