Arnold Eagles Lightning v Ravenshead U12 Girls, Sunday 29th September

 

The girls came out of training this week with attacking on their mind and started well against a good Ravenshead Team. Controlling the ball, passing to space and creating opportunities for themselves to attack with gusto!

 

The starting line up saw Chloe and Edie link up in the centre and gave the shape to the team by sticking to task, a very mature performance from the pairing! Some Fantastic control and passing gave plenty of opportunities up front for Molly and Grace to get on the end of. Both showing great strength and skill to get past the Ravenshead defence. Grace shown her determination to cross the ball numerous times in to the danger zone in front of goal, but the girls didn’t always get on the end of it to take their chances. Moly used her skills and turns to take the ball past the defence and again making the crosses or passing back to attack the other way. Some wonderful decision making from all 4 of these players, great to see!

 

Keira and Sienna started as wing backs and they were both as consistent as ever with a massive work rate for the team. Both players pressed, tackled, controlled, cleared and passed some beauties to set off our attack. Sienna was up against a very fast Ravenshead winger but conserved her energy and when she needed to step up, she did. She stopped numerous opposition attacks and disrupted their flow. Keira was a work horse on her wing and always goes for the ball, never stopping and creating many opportunities for her team whilst being the back up and covering space when needed. A real tactical thinker that understands the game more than most adults!

 

Kayleigh and Isla set up the defence, both giving more than they ever had before. The opposition were fast to react and break and for Isla to get back as quick as she did to make crucial tackles was fantastic. Kayleigh played smart and timed her tackles with a crunching force to then think about where she was putting the ball, giving a gorgeously placed ball in to space and started our attack a few times.

 

Evie came on in to the centre, Edie dropped back to Left Back and Sienna came off for a little rest. Evie has a phenomenal work rate, sometimes doing too much and not holding the shape but today, she did, linking the defence and attack really well. One movement that was literally breath taking was when Keira had pressed and won the ball on the wing, passing it to Evie and went charging down pitch, Keira went with her in support and they did a quick one two to confuse their defence and Evie was on her way to goal. She took a shot but a great save by the keeper denied us our first goal.

 

Some brilliant goalkeeping from Olivia saw her make great decisions and getting her hands on the ball more than her feet, something she’s been working on. Following a save, she ran to the top of the box and boomed the ball out of her hands in to the opposition half. The ball was flicked on by Chloe with such grace and control toward Evie who drove to the corner, cut in and stuck the ball with such force on the tightest of tight angles that when it ploughed in to the back of the net, we all went crazy. Simply, a fantastic finish!

 

Half time score 1-0.

 

The second half saw a change and with 4 subs to bring on, we had a new pairing up front in Sharay and Mia, Scarlett on at Right Back and Sienna back on in defence. Sharay and Mia were primed and ready up front, looking at the last defender and staying level whilst looking when the ball was being played so they could pounce on the ball. Some great challenges from Sharay in the centre when the ball went lose gave more attacking opportunities for us with Mia, Chloe and Evie linking up with support from Scarlett and Keira. Some brilliant movement from all of them made some beautiful lines to drive in to when the ball was played. Scarlett head to deal with the fast Ravenshead winger but stood strong and tall and used her legs to press, challenge and steal the ball. She also had some long throws in to our attack which created more opportunity to score that second goal.

 

With three minutes to go, Ravenshead broke through our defence and smashed the ball past Olivia to equalise. From the Kick Off, the Lightning Squad panicked, we lost our shape and couldn’t control the ball. Ravenshead looked dangerous and had fire in their bellies. Sienna has run a marathon today and most of it in the last three minutes, being there when the opposition broke and we were a bit slow at getting back but we managed to hang on and not concede!

 

The final score was a draw at 1-1.

We had 24 chances to score, 12 shots were on target but only 1 goal scored. The girls were gutted, they’re getting more competitive week by week so it’s good for them to experience the feelings they did today and Ravenshead did deserve their goal, they worked hard for it. I’ve asked the girls to remember the positives of their performance but also how they felt when Ravenshead scored the equaliser and what they could have done differently… some comedy answers I won’t repeat but they can’t wait to play again.

 

Girl of the Game went to Sienna for her incredible work rate, crucial tackles, tracking, sprinting, clearing and communication. Sienna has been consistent in all games, a safe pair of feet in defence and her support is bar none. She has run a marathon today and saved the Team from potential goals many many times. Sienna is a fantastic footballer and her determination to perform for her team mates makes her one of the best team players. I wouldn’t want to go against her, her timing is precise and her tackle hard and strong!

 

Things to work on for the squad – maintaining shape and taking their changes, tune in to see what happens next week!