Date: 16 May 2021 / Venue: Clifton College

Arnold Eagles Hawks u11s vs NFFC Red u11s Cup Game

Today’s starting line-up was:

Ava (GK), Jess, Izzy, Bethany, Heidi, Peyton & Millie. The subs were Thea, Lucy & Katie.

We arrived in good spirits, mixed with some nervous energy due to it being a Cup fixture. We also adhered to the oppositions request to play quarters rather than halves.

 

From the whistle, the Hawks put Forest under immediate pressure, pinning them into their half of the pitch. The Hawks had numerous chances to score, with a flurry of first quarter chances; hitting the crossbar, shots wide and a chance being cleared off the line. The Hawks pressure paid off soon after when Bethany fired home following some great footwork.

 

The first half saw some excellent defending from Jess and Izzy, which was added to by Thea replacing Izzy in the second quarter. The three of them nullified any Forest attack, with Jess and Izzy having the confidence to bring the ball out of defence to set the Hawks on for further attacks. Peyton worked tirelessly in the centre of the pitch offering an outlet to our defenders, whilst driving forward and releasing the ball to the Hawk’s wide players, more often than not straight to the feet of a team-mate. Ava performed very well in goal, smothering any chances created by Forest, with her best work coming from Forest corners, by repeatedly pushing the ball away from the danger zone.

 

The first half came to an end with the Hawks 2-0 up, after some fantastic passing, running into space, outplaying their opposition considerably.

 

A change of keeper saw Katie replace Ava for only her second appearance in the Team, with the hopes of maintain the clean sheet from the first half. Katie did not disappoint with some confident stops, the best of which came by a combination with Izzy to snuff out what seemed like a goal for Forest.

 

Hawks kept the momentum up, applying more pressure to the Forest defence, looking to close out the game. Forest pressure was expected, but didn’t martialize, with Hawks playing with increased levels of confidence and flair. Heidi performed brilliantly on the left, earning herself Girl of the Game, with an assured performance; which was rewarded with a goal for her efforts provided by Lucy following her confident run down the right and accurate cross. Lucy played with more belief today, which really showed in her passing and confidence to take girls on.

 

The Hawks defensive unit continued to snub out any Forest attack keeping them from getting into their penalty area and preventing any shots on target. A very solid performance by all three girls.

 

Bethany bagged herself a hat-trick, which in any other game would have seen her, or indeed a number of Hawks girls achieve Girl of the Game. Bethany’s finishing was as assured as ever, but her best work came down the right, when she skipped past her defender, crossing it straight onto Millie’s boot, who volleyed it into the net, giving the Forest keeper no chance. This was Millie’s second of the game proving herself to be a great asset to the Hawks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Player of the Match for a brilliant performance went to Heidi. Well done!