Under 8's v Keyworth Wildcats

Under 9's v West Bridgford

As always, a great game against West Bridgford. It was a close game from the start and throughout, with both sides showing a lot of commitment, but in a friendly and fair contest. Holly and Alia played in goal and were both challenged by West Bridgford. Alia was a real team player as she usually plays outfield, but stepped in as Cerys was away. She got her knee down to save a number of shots, and got the ball out nicely by rolling or kicking the ball - well played. Holly watched the game carefully and we can see her closing angles brilliantly, as well as making some brave moves, never shy of making the save.Faith made some incredible runs out of defence and right into the opposition box as well as the ususal tackles in defence, one of which was the best-timed tackle coaches have seen this season from anyone. Isla L ran with the ball from defence into midfield and made some fabulous passes, but was also involved in important tackles as the last person in defence. Amelia is responding well to advice from coaches and is showing much more understanding of where she needs to be - this means she is in better positions to make tackles and passes. Isla Y was our player of the match and it was well deserved: playing up front instead of her usual midfield position, she responded well to coaches' requests to stay high up the field - great discipline, and also covered lots of ground to challenge and put herself in good positions.

Libby had a great game and was committed throughout. Some of the link up play with Hattie was superb but she is connecting with the rest of the team more now too. Hattie has shown again how she can help out in all areas - going forwards she can take the ball past the opposition, but is willing to cover for others and even get back to defend when needed.Freya's movement is excellent all of the time she is on the field and she made some brilliant passes, showing good understanding to get the ball moving up the field. Esme is making sure she is in good positions going forwards as well, and linked well a number of times with Hattie and Libby. Ella showed us lots of movement but is really thinking about where she needs to be now, which is creating opportunities where it matters.

Under 10’s

 

We had a friendly against u11s team and we played some brilliant football. Strong tackles and quick running from our girls. Brilliant team effort.

Our girl of the game Esmie

Under 11's v Lowdham

Under 11's Rebels v Toton

Under 12's Lightning v Sandiacre

Following training this week, the super squad became super sleuths and were gathering intelligence on their opponents to understand how to win the ball or take the player on.

We had a smaller squad this week with 5 unavailable which meant stamina was needed from everyone! Kayleigh and Scarlett headed up the defence with Scarlett stepping in to help give some strength and pace to clear the ball out. “Scarleigh” as they will now be known worked really well together with Kay man marking and tackling while Scar using her pace to clear balls giving opportunities up front for the wingers Molly and Grace. Both primed and ready, they took control of the ball and thought about what to do next, pass? Fly like and eagle and go for goal? Cross? Lots of different options and decisions to make but the girls are all working together and aren’t afraid to try things out!

Molly had great strength and control, she’s really been working on her turns and change of pace to make opportunities for herself or team mates and today was no exception. She had such commitment to the game today that when her tooth fell out (it was wobbly before the game!), she simply went over to her Dad and gave him the tooth so she could get back to playing! Grace was equally as strong and incredibly determined to move the ball to goal. Linking up with Scarlett, Coco, Chloe or Evie, she was definitely the boss on the right today! Making it hard for her opponents to defend but helping Grace develop her tactical brain by thinking about those options.

Wing backs Keira and Coco had lots of work to do supporting the wingers and midfield players Chloe and Evie. Keira’s work rate was huge today and was always tracking her opponent to press and challenge for the ball outing in some almighty tackles! Her communication throughout is always wonderful to hear and isn’t afraid to give direction to her peers, showing real understanding of the game. Coco worked hard to keep with her opponent and made some great challenges or slowed down their attack to lose their momentum and for us to get back and support.

Chloe and Evie had the hard task of keeping shape in the centre of the field and they did an excellent job today, communicating with each to work efficiently. In fact it worked so well that I only shouted once about a gap they’d left and straight away they reacted to it. Both are really intelligent players who understand the importance of keeping shape and doing their job whilst letting other do theirs. Neither are afraid to jump in and help a team mate out but what they do is they spot when support is needed…. Team work makes the dream work! Chloe makes some sublime touches and flicks to surprise the opposition and has started the Lightning attack before they realise what’s happened!

Isla and Sharay came on after 15 minutes, Isla in to defence and Sharay on the wing. Isla made some brilliant tackles to win ball and stop the Sandiacre attack before they got started and gave some great passes forward to attacking opportunities of our own. A strong boot always thinking of safety and Isla’s new favourite phase is “if in doubt, put it out”.

Sharay flew like an eagle today and showed her pace and graceful stride to surprise her opponents and get to balls that you wouldn’t think were possible to get to, making some amazing turns to keep control of the ball and look at her options, quite often resulting in a beautifully placed cross over to space for someone to run on to. Sharay is really finding her confidence and is clearly enjoying the freedom – keep going, it’s lovely to watch!

Oops! She’s done it again…..

Evie has a real competitive edge this season and wants the team to be the best they can be but isn’t afraid to say she wants to win and her confidence in her team and her own ability is fantastic. After all the hard work in the first 15 minutes, Evie picked up a ball from Scarlett clearing out of defence and controlled in beautifully before changing her pace and head for goal. With a defender by her side and the keeper coming out to the edge of the box, Evie effortlessly tapped the ball on to her right foot and chipped the keeper for the first goal of the game. Great composure, great finish! What was more amazing than that I hear you ask? The support from other players and the number of options that were available to Evie at that point was fabulous! Molly, Chloe, Coco, Grace all being in a position to do anything, great play from everyone!

Eagles were flying high and then the right wing became very dangerous, Sharay had been threatening their defence with her movement, pace and close ball skills since she came on the pitch and 6 minutes later she received a ball from Kayleigh who charged out of the defence with two opponents coming at her but she was having that loose ball! Kay looked up before striking the ball and saw Sharay with a look in her eye that was hungry for the ball and sent Sharay flying down the wing. Watching her using both feet to run in a gorgeous arc shape toward the goal was breath taking and her had confidence to strike that ball with gusto to fire it in the back of the net! And the whole team celebrated with Sharay, this really lifted them up!

Half time score 2-0.

We’d dominated the first half but the start of the second half saw Sandiacre take control and kept our defence and keeper really really busy. But as a new defensive unit with Scar, Kay and Isla working with Olivia at Keeper, it was great to see them take the pressure and make decisions. Olivia did not make one decision incorrectly today, she showed great maturity and composure when being faced with a constant attack for 10 minutes. Great communication from all defenders meant they did not concede and finally go the ball out and in to our attacking half.

With 15 minutes to go, Sandiacre were knocking on our door, the game wasn’t won yet and they could strike at any time. So a tactical change to confuse our opponents moved Scarlett in to midfield and Chloe dropped back in to defence. Chloe’s confidence to come out of defence and make clever passes for our attackers is both beyond her years and gives confidence to the rest of the team. Scarlett was released to run around a bit more and she is very good at reading the game and getting in to space. Her team mates know she can hold her own against any player and they’re not afraid to give it to her. So as Sharay took the ball down the wing, following a balletesque turn, she whipped it across to Scar who was standing at the top of the box, she turned, took a touch and stuck the ball, saved by the keeper, Scar went straight to the ball and smashed in to the back of the net, she wasn’t going to miss this time!!

Full Time Score 3-0 win for Lightning but had to work hard for their goals against a strong defensive unit from Sandiacre.

What did the girls learn this week?

• That maintaining shape prevents and attack and scoring opportunities for their opponents
• Control the ball, control the game
• Look at your opponent and what they do to decide how you can defend them or get past them
• Take your chances
• Passing back is sometimes the best option

Girl of the Game went to Kayleigh for her confident performance on the pitch today. Controlling the defence, making crucial tackles in her usual crunching manner and having no fear to chase loose balls to regain possession for her team. Kayleigh has been working hard on her fitness and speed and there was a definite improvement today, keep up the great work Kay, you totally got this! (I know you’re reading 😊)

Kayleigh’s support both on and off the field is amazing and is always giving compliments or encouragement, for an 11 year old to be so grown up and motivating is unbelievable but this is the reason she’s our Captain, something we’re very proud of at the club!!

I’m excited to watch these girls next week as they’ve been playing some gorgeous football with some outstanding skills on display and all the while they have smiles on their faces. That’s why I do this, happy kids playing the sport they love, building bonds with each other that will last a lifetime and seeing them work hard to achieve both their personal and team goals.

 

Under 12's Thunder v Southwell City

Under 13's v Woodlands