Under 9’s v Priory Celtic

Player of the match ; Hattie

Under 10’s v Keyworth United

Excellent game for our u10s today, got some great passing going amongst the girls along with excellent defending. Very good game to watch even in the miserable weather.

Girl of the game : Peyton

Under 11’s v West Bridgford Rangers

Both teams played some excellent football today, battling each other and the rain. 

From the Eagles there were some epic forward runs, and brilliant defending as well as some fantastic saves by the goalie. West Bridgford played excellent football as well making an really exciting game to watch. Well done to all of the girls on both teams.

Girl of the game was Ellie.

Under 11’s Rebels v Lincoln Griffins

Girl of the game - Lily

 

Under 12’s Thunder v Nottingham Forest

Girl of the game - Isla

 

Under 12’s Lightning v Mansfield Town

 

Training this week carried on with the gathering of information about our opponents and holding the line of defence to help understand the offside rule.

We have always had great games against Mansfield, who are a lovely team, similar to our Super Squad! Competitive yet respectful to all players, officials and spectators but they have really good ball skills and understanding of the game. And Today’s game didn’t disappoint, it was an amazing showcase of the female game with brilliant football and sportsmanship on show.

It was a drizzly Sunday at Calverton but Lightning were ready for a muddy challenge and asked me before the game if they could roll in the mud if they scored a goal… obviously I said yes (sorry parents), anything for a good goal celebration!

The starting line-up gave us 5 powerhouses at the back, with quick feet and crunching tackles possible from all angles! Sienna and Isla defending with Olivia in goal, supported by Keeley and Keira at the back. Right from the off we were pressing our opponents and marking the space to make if difficult for them. Keeley and Keira were kept really busy and it’s a good job they have stamina because I don’t think either of them stopped running for the first 30 minutes, but they were both ball hunting or pressing and jockeying some skilful wingers. With good hassle and timing, both whipped the ball away from the opponent or forced an error in their passing so we could take possession. Neither of them afraid to pass the ball to the midfield or have a run at Mansfield!

Mansfield were very quick on the break by way of some clever passing from their midfield, and this left Olivia exposed at the back. But she was strong, confident and in control and made it very difficult for Mansfield to hit the back of the net.

The midfield quartet were Evie, Chloe, Molly and Sharay and their proving to be quite a force to be reckoned with. Brilliant timing and runs from Molly and Sharay who flew down the pitch drawing the defence out before putting some amazing crosses in to the box but we couldn’t get on the end of them!

Evie and Chloe held the shape in the midfield really well today, something the whole squad has been working on but they held the team together. Communication aplenty all over the pitch shows that the girls are really understanding the entire game and trusting their team mates to do their jobs.

Chloe gave some lovely passes and supported incredibly well. Evie was pushing the attack to drive them forward and had such confidence today. But whatever we threw at Mansfield, we couldn’t break through.

Time for a change! On came Scarlett in defence, Crystal in midfield, Grace and Mia on the wings. From the off, Scarlett took control in defence and almost lobbed the keeper with her first touch! Learning to control her powerful boot, she took some power off the ball and set up the attack with lots of options. Mia had great movement and controlled the ball amazingly well from Scarlett, not easy with her power but she’s been working on it and today she absolutely cracked it! Grace and Crystal linked up very well on the left side and used the ball to keep their opponents busy. Mansfield continued to attacked and did break through but Scarlett, Sienna and Olivia had it covered! Scarlett then whipped a ball up in to the centre where Evie took a touch, looked up and ran to goal, using her pace to be far enough ahead of her opponent, she looked up and put the ball over the keeper for our first goal. A great finish 😊

A few moments later and a break through our defence, it was a one on one with Olivia and a talented attacker who took the ball past Olivia to even the score.

It wasn’t long before Scarlett, Chloe and Evie linked up again and off Evie flew, again taking everyone on to smash it past the keeper. Mia and Grace in support and ready for any save or rebound that might come their way.

Mansfield came straight back fighting and again broke through and Olivia made some cracking saves today but some she just couldn’t get to!

Lightning strikes for a hattrick!

Evie was hungry for a win today and attacked the ball when it came to her. Making fantastic runs in to space and really reading the play well. She controlled the ball and took her time to look at the options around her, something she has been working on this season.

With gusto and flair, she was off again. Having no fear, she went for it, always take your chances because you might just end up with a hattrick for it! And today, there were celebrations with forward rolls in the mud, the whole team joined in to celebrate with Evie!!

Again, Mansfield came back at us and evened the score…

The game is tied at 3-3, some decisions needed to be made by the team, did they want to win or just carry on playing football because they love it…. They wanted the win! A tactical change by the management saw Crystal taking up the left back position with Molly on the left wing and Sharay back on the right wing.

We had come great play in the last 5 minutes and although the squad wanted the win, they didn’t lose their composure as they have in previous games and were focused. We had control of the ball and the really thought carefully about what to do with it. Molly made some brilliant timed runs to receive passes from Evie, Chloe or Crystal and had a couple of chance but couldn’t finish because of some great goalkeeping from Mansfield. However, on the right side, Sharay was flying like an eagle after the ball and had no fear to take on a strong defensive player. Watching her use both feet to control the ball, she had her eye on goal, she’s been threatening throughout the game but the time was coming…

A ball put through from Scarlett at the back looked to be going too far and the keeper was coming out to boot it but was surprised by the length of Sharay’s stride and the pace with it. Sharay won the ball, took control, thought about it and put the ball past the keeper to win the game. Real composure from Sharay today, which isn’t easy to do when you’re 11 years old! Keep going Sharay, it’s wonderful stuff you’re producing and I look forward to seeing you develop your game!

GOTG went to Keeley for her fantastic work rate and rive to win the ball for her team mates. She’s quiet as a mouse but so fierce and hungry for the ball, which I love to see!

Stand out moments from Keeley today:

    •    Taking the ball out of defence, seeing a gap and running towards it with the ball at her feet, it was a gorgeous arc of a run and she found herself on the edge of the box where she took a shot. A great save from the keeper denied her a goal but she wasn’t finished trying!

    •    Taking on two opponents and performing an amazing turn to protect the ball and pass it back only to run and receive it back – Beautiful football

    •    Pressing, jockeying and marking a quick opponent that gave her a run for her money

    •    Controlling the ball and decision making. Keeley’s close ball control is absolutely brilliant

    •    Winning the ball and setting the midfield up to attack, or the wingers in front of her with some great crosses

    •    Taking her chances but really thinking about options

    •    Never giving up, not until she was sat in the clubhouse eating chips

We’ll be working on defence in training this week, we don’t want any more breaks through our defensive line but the girls are showing such understanding of the game and the offside rule that it will click in to place soon enough! Keep going girls, you’re doing an absolutely fantastic job and I can’t wait for the next game to see how you’ve developed! We have a week off next week and then we’re back to play top of the league team Toton on the 27th October.

 

 

Under 13’s v Hucknall Sports

Player of the Game - Ruby 

 

Womens Development v Sherwood

 

Womens 1st v Hykeham Town

Final Score 3 – 6

There was far less between the two sides than the score-line suggests. We started with lots of energy but lacked composure and control in the first 15 minutes and Hykeham took the lead with a well-struck shot from outside the box. The players reacted well to the set back and equalised within 4 minutes of going behind. There was some good build up play and then Nat’s pass found Demi in the box to apply the finishing touch.

We settled down and for almost all of the rest of the half we played our best football so far this season. A fantastic through ball from Jen allowed Nat to run on without breaking stride and steer it past the on-rushing keeper into the far corner to put us 2-1 up. We went 3-1 up when our corner dropped into the box and was coolly laid back by Hannah TT to Jen who from over 20 yards out hit a sweet looping shot which dipped over the keeper.

Poor game management cost us dearly as we twice conceded possession to allow Hykeham to hit 2 goals in 2 minutes and go into half time at 3-3. This was the turning point in the game allowing Hykeham to firmly seized the momentum.

The players continued to work very hard in the second half but we could not quite impose ourselves as we did in the first half. We still created several chances which were denied by a combination of some excellent defending, some wayward finishing and a fair slice of bad luck in front of goal. Hykeham’s striking force and some quick breaks allowed them to score 3 without reply.

Despite the result I was pleased with the performance of the team who really played some very good football especially in the first half, there are lots of positives today and the hard work at training is beginning to show on the pitch. If we keep this level of performance up I am confident the results will come.

On the downside we suffered yet more injuries with both Amelia and Hannah TT having to come off. Of course we hope that they both make quick recoveries.

All players deserve credit for today’s performance but a special mention for Jen who was again peerless in the midfield, Alex put in an impressive performance at left-back in only her second game and new signing Courtney Walters really showed her quality on her debut.

In my 12 years in the female game this is the best squad I have ever been involved with and I have no doubt that they will continue to progress. Today’s performance was a very pleasing step and there is plenty more to come from these players.