Under 8’s v Southwell City

Girl of the Game: Laila 

 

Under 9’s v West Bridgford Colts

Girl of the Game: 

 

Under 10’s v Long Eaton

 

 

Girl of the Game: Ava

 

Under 11’s v Newark Town

It was a rainy start to the match today, but the girls were all fired up to play Newark. Newark have beaten us twice this season, but the girls were determined not to lose again. Newark scored first, but our girls were not down. Abigail and Ellie scored our goals, with some brilliant football. Annie, Sophie, Charlotte and Katie had a couple chances to score but it was not to be. Our defence was on form with Tilly, Lexi stopping the ball from getting into our box and Chloe making great saves to keep us in the lead. Midfield were able to run the length of the pitch to create chances at their goal. Our girls showed determination, creative football and team work skills today to rival any of the big teams. Well done! 

 

Player of the match was Sophie for her excellent creative play. 

Girl of the Game: Sophie

 

Under 11’s Rebels v Ravenshead Reds

Girl of the game - Chloe

 

Under 12’s Thunder v Sherwood Girls

 

Girl of the game - Connie

 

Under 12’s Lightning v Sandiacre Town

Back to league action this week for Lightning at Sandiacre on 3G. Laura in charge with Steve assisting, and our Manager Vicki, having a run out as assistant referee! The starting line-up was Olivia, Keeley, Scarlett, Isla, Grace, Crystal, Edie, Evie and Mia; subs were Chloe, Sharay and Keira

 

Sandiacre attacked from the start but Isla and Scarlett were solid, setting up our attack with Evie’s shot well saved. It was pretty even for the first 10 minutes with neither side able to get meaningful shots away. Mia was playing well down the right, collecting and returning passes with the midfield duo of Edie and Evie and with Grace. We started gaining control and Evie shot wide and then had a terrific shot well saved by the keeper. Crystal was causing problems down the left, winning a couple of corners that came to nothing. We were about to bring the three subs on when Crystal went down and needed attention, so we brought Keira on as a straight swap.

 

Shortly afterwards Scarlett had a shot from halfway that went straight at the keeper who held on well. Then Chloe and Sharay entered, replacing Edie and Mia. It was immediately obvious that Sharay was stretching Starlets defence and on 23 minutes she collected a ball from Chloe broke through the defence and slotted the ball in the far corner! 0-1. We kept piling on the pressure and on 25 minutes we should have been 2 up – Chloe received the ball from Grace and striking the ball from the edge of the box saw it hit the right hand post, roll along the line hitting the left hand post, bouncing back into the keeper’s grateful hands!! We still had time for another couple of attempts on goal and the keeper saved both, already a contender for their player of the match.

 

Just before half time, Sandiacre broke through the middle and Olivia had to be alert to clear the ball upfield. HALF TIME 0-1

 

The second half started with no changes made. The half time team talk was all about keeping our shape and communication.

 

Sandiacre again started strong, putting us under pressure, the defence conceding a couple of early corners, both of which were cleared. Keira was working hard in defence and providing support in attack setting Sharay up for a couple mazy runs that came to nothing. We made a couple of changes, bringing Crystal on for Keeley and Edie for Evie. Then Crystal took another knock (it wasn’t her day) but was determined to stay on and began running at the Starlets defence, getting a couple of shots away. Grace was having a great game over on the right, breaking up attacks and putting great passes through their defence, but we failed to capitalise and the keeper still in top form, turning a  great effort from Chloe wide of goal. Starlets were playing on the break now because were controlling the ball. But that second goal was proving elusive (which was worrying for Laura and Steve).

With 15 minutes to go Sandiacre scored out of nothing. A routine goal kick by Olivia saw Isla and Scarlett slightly out of position, the ball went  straight to their midfielder who took a couple of paces and lashed it past a helpless Olivia. 1-1. Tough for us to take after controlling much of the game.

 

We had a battle on now as Starlets were more confident. Time for a change: Isla had just taken a knock so had to come off, putting Edie at the back and Mia on for Sharay and Keeley for Keira. Sandiacre had a couple of good chances, one saved and the other just over the bar. We then settled back into our game working down both flanks, and working little triangles with the midfield. With time running out we were still dominating but couldn’t score. A short pass from Grace to Mia, in loads of space, saw her control the ball turn and smash it, the keeper making a terrific save to her left. Then Crystal went down the left, cut inside and unleashed a screamer, beat the keeper but it hit the bar and bounced back, the defence clearing. We had one final chance, Grace slipping the ball to a well placed Keeley, who was inches offside!

 

FINAL SCORE 1-1

 

An enthralling match, played in good spirit by both teams, and we can count ourselves a little unlucky, hitting the woodwork three times and up against an inspired keeper (surely their Player of the Match).

Special mention for Vicki for running the line, despite having a chest infection. She had a fine game and it gave her a different perspective on the play…. Fancy doing it every week….

Next week we do it all again at home v Sandiacre Starlets in the Plate. After today’s game that game could go to extra-time and penalties. It will certainly be close!

 

 Girl of the Game: Kiera

 

 

Under 13’s v Woodlands



Woodlands 4 

Vs 

Arnold Eagles 4 

Rosch 2,

Neve, 

Millie 

 

This was a super game to watch, some great goals from both teams and very little in it. We controlled the first half.. just about..  and Woodlands probably had the better of the second.....

 

The match was played on the 3G at Friesland and straight away the home team settled into the game, passing the ball around nicely. The Woodlands winger was causing havoc down our right hand side and every break looked like ending with a goal, Katie & Charlotte had to be on their toes from the off and luckily they were, allowing our midfield the ball and a chance to take the pressure off. Whilst Woodlands relied on some slick passing & teamwork, Arnolds joy came from flashes of individual quality which the home side could not deal with. Neve opened the scoring, a ball dropped to her outside the box, a couple of assured touches and we were 1-0 courtesy of a fine strike into the top corner. Woodlands hit back though - the dangerous winger cut inside her marker and parity was restored. Rosch who had arrived late with Milli, came on and immediately carried on her fine form from last week - a poachers goal came about from some good work from Hollie & Millie.W but it was Rosch’s hunger that gave her the opportunity and she took it without hesitation. 

Woodlands hit back again - no more than they deserved and levelled the game at 2-2. 

 

HT 2-2

 

A couple of changes from Sam at HT saw Hollie, who’d had a tough first half replaced by Milli and Shelby dropped into defence while Katie played an unfamiliar role in CM. 

Woodlands went ahead after some hesitancy from the visitors at the back but Arnold did a great job of keeping the hosts at bay. Milli was pushing the winger back over on the right and in the end marked her out of the game and restricted her to only one or two forays forward - it was big factor in the game and Milli’s tackling was a key feature of the second half. Sophie who hadn’t been feeling great in recent weeks bravely joined the action too and Olivia as ever put in a fine shift out on the left, fresh from her ice cool performance on the TV! 

Maddie was being tested more & more from range - but not much was getting past her as she pulled off some brilliant saves as Arnold pushed for an equaliser and left themselves a bit open. It finally came courtesy of our talisman Millie W who made no mistake when a chance presented itself to her - a trademark finish made it 3-3. Next came the goal of the game. Rosch was giving the hosts defence a torrid time and a through ball from midfield saw Rosch not only latch onto it but beat the 2 defenders who were running with her and as the keeper rushed out of her goal she unleashed a beautiful strike which flew into the top corner - it was a terrific goal and one worthy of winning any game. 

But it wasn’t to be. 

After shutting down the Woodlands left hand side the hosts smartly switched to the right and the right back who’d been excellent throughout scored her second with a fine strike across Maddie into the bottom corner. It was Woodlands who pressed hard for the winner with Arnold relying on breaks and it almost came but for some last ditch defending by Shelby & Charlotte. 

So an 8 goal thriller finished honours even and lots of credit should go to Woodlands who have yet to register a win and possibly deserved one on the balance of play. To go through a season without a victory and to still play with the spirit they displayed is testament to their girls and their management team. There is clearly talent in there and I suspect they’ll be a team to watch next season. Another mention should go to Sam who manages to juggle a very small squad around and somehow manages to give all the girls a go in their preferred positions at some point in the game - I saw first hand how difficult that is with a 9a-side team this week so a big well done to the gaffer. A great game enjoyed by all watching...

Girl of the Game: Rosechana

 

Under 18’s v Groby

Player of the match: Shannon

 

Development v Mansfield Town Dev

Player of the Match: Tor

 

 1st Team v Hykeham Town

Player of the match : Alex