U8 v West Bridgford

We had a great game today against West Bridgford. The girls came back from the Christmas break showing passion & determination. There was plenty of action on the pitch throughout the 4 quarters which saw all of our girls giving it 110% effort.  Our girl of the game went to Elise, she worked really hard both in training on Friday and our match today, playing in a new position and she did brilliantly! 

Player of the Match: Elise

U9 v Priory Celtic

Player of the Match: Isla

U10 v Radcliffe Olympic

Player of the Match: Blaise

U11 v Newark Town

Player of the Match: Abagail

U11 Rebels v Stapleford Town

Player of the Match: Johari

U12 Lightning v Toton

We had practiced Possession, Pressure and Passing at training and Vicki wanted the girls to follow the three Ps for this game and targeted the girls to score 2 goals in the opening 10 minutes. The starting line-up was Olivia, Isla and Sienna in the centre of defence with wingbacks Keira on the left and Grace on the right; centre mid were Evie and Edie and strikers Keeley (left) and Sharay (right).

 

However it was Toton who started well and controlled the play for the opening five minutes putting us under pressure. After a couple of half chances going Toton’s way the girls began to get hold of the ball and pass it around and were soon putting Toton under pressure. We were particularly effective down the right with some great play between Grace and Sharay and from our first attack Grace passed to Sharay who cut in and headed for goal releasing her shot across the keeper and bouncing back off the post! We continued to control the game and scored in the ninth minute, Grace doing a “one-two with Sharay and hitting a shot from the edge of the box, in off the post.

 

The game was now end to end with Toton being denied by solid defending from Sienna and Isla and Keira as most of Toton’s attacks were down their right. We had shots on target from Evie and Sharay and a screamer from Edie that was just wide. Toton’s keeper was busier than Olivia and pulled of an amazing save from Sharay, tipping a fierce shot over the bar. Then Sharay was released by Grace again, charged forward, shot …and hit the same post again, the defence scrambling it away!

 

We made a change as Keira was feeling tired and moved Keeley back into defence, bringing on Crystal. Within seconds of coming on Crystal slipped past her marker moved forward and passed through to Evie who skipped past a defender shot …and was denied by another good save. We were now pressing high up the pitch and forced the keeper into another couple of saves. Passing was excellent with Isla taking goal kicks and not wasting any, all finding one of the front four, Sienna also doing her share winning possession and using Edie or Grace. Keeley was also tracking back well and making dangerous runs forward. Another goal surely was due before half time. In the twenty seventh minute a through ball from Sienna, touched on by Evie to Sharay finished with a powerful shot that deflected off the keeper and into the top of the net.

Half time came without reaching our target of 2 goals in 10 minutes, but we weren’t grumbling at 2-0 up.

 

The second half line up saw all the subs on – Mia and Molly as strikers, Chloe and Evie in midfield, Scarlett and Kayleigh at the heart of the defence and Keeley and Edie as wingbacks. Toton started well again and closed us down quickly but were struggling to get past a resolute defence with Kayleigh and Scarlett intercepting through balls and tackling like demons and Edie and Keeley stopping the wide players, forcing everything through midfield. We again gained more control and the passing in all directions was measured and caused the Toton defenders plenty of trouble. But for their keeper both Molly and Mia would have scored and Mia also put one just wide. Then, as happens in football Toton broke through the middle and a shot whistled past Olivia into the net. 

2-1 and game on! It was time to see how the girls handled the pressure and they did, apart from a couple of shaky moments straight after the goal. Olivia pulled off two saves in quick succession and in saving the second she was injured and had to come off. Edie took over in goal and Crystal came back on at left wingback. Toton tested Edie early on and she made a great save. Then they started to fade and we got stronger with Scarlett making some fantastic runs down the right flank. It was also good to see Evie filling in when Scarlett went on these runs, allowing us to maintain our shape. The passing was a joy to watch with Chloe running midfield and supporting Molly and Mia. With 15 minutes to go both Molly and Mia had run themselves into the ground so  Vicki brought them off, bringing Crystal and Sharay on. Even more pressure was piled onto Toton, who were defending very well. With time running out they were playing on the break but rarely passed half way. We finally made the game safe in the 58thminute when Chloe put a delightful pass through for Sharay to run on to and place it past the keeper.

 

Final score 3-1 and so good to see the smiling faces! For most of the game the three Ps were in evidence and the management team were really pleased to see the girls absorb pressure, working hard for each other and helping each other. Player of the Match went to Isla for her passing and solid defending. She has a tactical eye and knows her options before the ball comes to her. She’s calm under pressure and has a very bright future as a demon defender!

Player of the Match: Isla

U13 v Mansfield Town

Player of the Match: Millie

U18 v Allexton and Parks

Player of the Match : Esther