U8 v Keyworth Utd

Player of the Match: Elise

U10 v Clifton All Whites

Player of the Match: Esmie

U11 Rebels v West Bridgford Comets

Player of the Match: Issy

U11 v Mansfield Town

 

 

Player of the Match: Ellie

U12 Lightning v Ravenshead Reds

Training this week has been all about passing and triangles with the girls working with and for each other in order to keep possession and move up the pitch.

Today’s game was a great one to watch with lots of positives to take from the performance and some things to work on!

A different starting line-up, as we look at combinations across the squad, saw Sienna have a crack at the left back position and even thought she was battling a cold and cough she loves to have a run around! Olivia, Scarlett and Isla were our awesome defence with Keeley getting ready to run like the wind at right back. Edie and Chloe took the centre with Crystal and Sharay starting strong up front. A good start with possession moving between the two teams but we did think about what we were doing with it and after 5 minutes we were taking control and working the pitch to keep the opposition busy. Isla and Scarlett were a tough pairing to get past and with some almighty tackles, they won the ball and started the attack numerous times.

Whether is was Crystal or Sharay, they both danced around the opposition showing their skills and determination to drive to the goal. Brilliant ball skills, fantastic running lines, well timed passes and not afraid to strike the ball – the two work well together and used Chloe and Edie at the right time to help push forward. 

Chloe and Edie work so well together in the centre and it’s great to watch. They get the basics, keep calm, make great choices and give some great passes or get their tackle on when needed. They can easily switch from attack to defence which is why they are so effective and difficult to mark!

Captain Kayleigh came on defence and Grace switched in to left back so give us some fresh legs and try another combination. Grace had a great game last week and carried on this week doing the same things and doing them incredibly well. Running, pressing, tackling, passing, over and over. She gave some cracking passes up to Crystal for her to weave her way around the opposition. Kayleigh kept those tackles coming this week and did something new this week. When an opposition player broke through down the wing, she started running, then saw Grace tracking back and said “you go with her” and she changed the direction of her run to cover Olivia I front of goal – a fantastic tactical decision that was clear and the right thing to do!

Lightning Strikes:

After one of those crunching tackles from Isla in defence, she looked up and saw a lovely smiling face and just next to it was a empty line of grass shouting out “pass me through that grass Isla”. She swung her leg back and powered through the ball to find the space next to Sharay, a perfect pass to set her off and running. Control, turn and run, Sharay was flying toward the goal, long legs pushing to the limit and the opposition were a step behind. She went past one, then another, then only the keeper stood in her way but the power that shot that ball was unstoppable and we were up 1-0.

Following a cheeky lob over Olivia, Ravenshead scored and equaliser.

Half Time score 1-1

Some changes at half time saw Mia come on up front and back on in Kayleigh in defence. Mia was determined to score her second goal this week after struggling in the long grass last week. She worked her socks off and showed an uplift in confidence to take on players, keep the ball at her feet and have a go at goal. Her closest effort saw her receive the ball from Chloe in the centre, she turned and lost her defender and headed down the right side. Then all of a sudden, at the edge of the area, she swung back and put her foot through the ball with every once of her being. It smashed past three players, including the keeper but struck the right post and rebounded out to a defender who cleared the ball. A great effort from Mia and if she keeps doing that, she’ll score many goals!

Grace made a hard and strong tackle on the left side and took the ball out of defence, taking on numerous players and flying past them, she looked up to see Edie in the middle, all by herself. She passed it in to her and with gorgeous control, had a look at her options. It could go back to Grace, up to Crystal, Chloe, Scarlett…. So many options but she saw a move that we worked on in training…. Sharay ran towards her drawing the defenders out and Edie pooped the ball in to the space for Sharay to run on to. Control, tapped on to her right foot and smashed in the back of the net! We were up 2-1.

Ravenshead equalised with 6 minutes left to play and that’s how it finished. We learned lots of things as a team and I’m really proud of the girls efforts, team spirit and competition today

Great things from Today’s Game:

Olivia, Scarlett, Isla, Kayleigh and Sienna worked well together in defence, in whatever combination, to use the back pass and big boot from the keeper - the first time they’d tried it in a game and they did it a few times. Great communication from Olivia to make the call and a confident pass back and movement to create the space for Olivia to pass the ball out. It’s lovely to see their confidence growing with this new tactic! 

We only had a few offside calls this week, something we’ve worked on all season, and this was a great improvement from last week’s game. Everyone thought about their position and timing before making a pass or a run!

At the end of the game I asked each of the girls to tell me one thing that the team need to work on and who they would give the GOTG trophy to. It’s really important for the girls to recognise each other and reflect on their performance so over the next few weeks, we’ll be working on creating and moving in to space, pressing and hitting the ball first time when in front of goal…. Fun times ahead at training!

Lots of contenders for GOTG this week with great performance from everyone. Shout outs for being amazing:

Isla - who played some of her best football today, really strong in the tackle and passing out of defence

Crystal – Fancy footwork better than you’ll see on Strictly! Like poetry in motion, she moves with style and grace with the ball, running great lines and creating chances

Keeley – the workhorse who never stops running with the ball and did some fantastic passes and challenged for the ball making it difficult for the opposition attack to get past her

Chloe – solid in the middle and helps keep the shape and composure for the team. Her control is beautiful to watch and the plays she creates from her clever passing is lush!

GOTG went to Edie this week who was on top form! Everything you want from a centre mid you got from Edie today. Control, passing, running, pressing, tackling, supporting, Edie was everywhere she needed to be and got their first to win the ball for the super squad, looking at her options and making brilliant choices all over the pitch. She’s been consistent throughout the past 4 or 5 games and she’s getting better every week. A bright footballing future is ahead for Edie and I’m excited to see what she does next!

Next week’s game is away against West Bridgford Wookiees… if the rain stays away this week!

 

U12 Thunder v Lowdham 

Player of the Match: Imani

U13 v Mansfield Town

Player of the Match: Millie W