The under 13 Lightning squad never fail to entertain and this game was no exception! The result was in doubt right to the end and credit to both teams in a highly competitive game played in good spirit.

Away to Ravenshead Reds on a bright day with a gentle breeze, Vicki only had 13 available and the starting line-up was:

Olivia in goal, Sienna, Kayleigh and Isla as the back three, right to left, the “diamond had Chloe as defensive mid with Molly as attacking mid, Crystal wide left and Edie wide right with Sharay, up top.

Subs: Keira, Autumn, Mia and Keeley

Lightning got off to a flyer and after 2 minutes Sharay raced onto a loose ball, firing in past the keeper. 0-1

The next 10 minutes saw chances at both ends and a good through ball from the Ravenshead midfield caught our defence out and a player was in behind, shooting past Olivia. 1-1

It was time for the subs to make an appearance with Mia replacing Sharay, Keira replacing Crystal and Keeley replacing Edie, with Autumn replacing Molly.

The game had a familiar pattern developing with neither side able to control the game and further chances at both ends, although Lightning were on top territorially. We had our first corner and tried to do it short, which didn’t quite work, but Autumn got a decent shot on target anyway, well held by the keeper.

The back three were playing well and confident enough to pass it around. Both Sienna and Isla were also putting some great passes down the wide to Keeley and Keira. On 31 minutes, from one of these, Isla popped a lovely ball in front of Keira, who was tackled but regained the ball cut inside and unleashed a screamer, beating the keeper at her right hand post! 1-2

We gained at little more control after that with Chloe and Autumn creating a couple more chances for us, Mia with one that the keeper saved and Autumn flashing one just wide and Keeley with a great run and shot that the keeper just managed to save. With seconds to go before half-time Ravenshead broke down the right and a cross came in. Olivia had it covered at the near post, got her hand to it as it was on target, only to see it drop under the bar and into the net! 2-2.

As we kicked off the referee blew for half-time! Off we came, a little deflated until Vicki got them fired up again. She changed it again, Molly back on at attacking centre mid, Sienna moving from the right to the left with Isla going the opposite way. Ravenshead went more defensive this half, playing on the break. They also swopped keepers with their centre-back going into goal. Our defence held firm with captain Kayleigh leading by example, putting some timely tackles and clearing away upfield. Chloe had been doing a huge amount of work in her midfield role and continued to put some dangerous balls through, none of which came to anything.

On 50 minutes we made changes and Sharay replaced Mia, Edie on for Molly, Autumn replacing Keira and Crystal replacing Keeley. So 20 minutes to go and still all to play for. Could we get that third goal? Autumn and Crystal were giving the Reds defence some problems now and Edie and Chloe were supporting each other well in centre mid. Edie released Sharay but under pressure from a defender she shot just wide. The Reds were now pushing for a winner, leaving Sharay on her own. Sienna was having one of those games where nobody could get past her; and every ball she won was at Autumn’s feet. We were looking very dangerous down the left, with Autumn getting a couple of good efforts away, but just wide! Then we had that little bit of magic on 56 minutes, Isla moved the ball to Crystal, who, under a lot of pressure did a delightful turn, flicking the ball into Sharay at the edge of the box, she raced past her marker and smashed it past the keeper! 2-3

So 14 minutes to go but with a game like this anything could happen. Ravenshead went for the equaliser, leaving one at the back. Fortunately our defence was on it! Some great tackles and blocking forcing the Reds to shoot from distance or wide, so little for Olivia to do. Then the defence was beaten by a great through ball and Olivia, well positioned near the edge of the box, raced out and cleared the danger – that was close! Autumn picked up a loose ball, headed for goal and unleashed a great shot that fizzed past the post. A minute later a ball from Chloe found Sharay one on one with keeper, the shot saved but not held, Autumn hitting the keeper and Edie shooting wide from the rebound. That would have secured the game for sure but credit to Ravenshead they were still pushing forward. We were defending magnificently with Autumn and Crystal helping our tiring defence. The final action saw the Reds break down their left, Isla moving across smartly to put the ball out for a throw-in….and then the final whistle.

Final result Ravenshead Reds 2 – 3 Arnold Eagles Lightning 

Player of the Match  Sienna for a magnificent display of tackling and passing