hollyfields 0 - 3 Leamington Lions U11Ra
POM: Emmy
C: Rosie
GK: Jessie
Belle '8, Chesca '38, Lyra '59
And we are back after a slightly longer break than expected! And nearly at full strength with Kota back after a short break to heal her ankle. Chilly conditions today but dry and the pitch was in pretty good condition considering the time of year. Thanks to all the parents for getting over the Bham for an early start and to our Linesmen volunteers. Totally worth the early start, the girls were warmed up before the opposition even turned up.
Tough opponents, Hollyfield were set up slightly differently than our usual opponents, doubled up up front and constantly trying to overload down the right. However great team work from Orly and Freya kept them at bay, Immy had another great game in the middle (well timed elegant play throughout, sweeping up anything near her) and Zariah used the space on her side to constantly drive things forward.
The girls absorbed the pressure and kept hitting them on the counter. Belle nearly put the girls ahead on 4 minutes after a mazy run. Only a couple of minutes later Orly made a strong run down the left, and found Belle who was happily slotted the ball home. 1 nil. Immy, Freya and Z all made decisive tackles in the next few minutes to stop the opposition from equalising and then Orly was unlucky not to bag a second. The girls remained under pressure but resilient for the rest of the half, as the game remained close.
Half time discussion was around establishing a higher line, putting the opposition under more pressure and relieving the pressure on the defence.
The girls pushed the line in the second half leading to a higher number of chances in the second half. Rosie and Chesca were unlucky to both be denied in quick succession as the oppo goalie kept her team in it. Chesca was obviously determined to get a goal as only a couple of minutes later she drove for goal and slide it past the goalie.
The opposition again had a firm crack at goal, only to be denied by a good save by Jessie and then by Paloma's decisive tackling. Worth noting the big booming kicks Jessie was deploying today, the high bouncing ball giving our attackers a great opportunity and leaving the oppo defence in disarray.
Our girls kept at it, with Orly and Belle both launching cannons at the goal only to be saved by the busy oppo goalie. Maintaining intensity the girls kept at it till the end and Lyra was rewarded for another 60 minutes of hard work with the girls third goal, just before the final whistle.
Captain's Nominations
Well done to today's captain, after her barnstorming performance in the last game Rosie followed up with another hard working shift in attack
Defence. 300 minutes without a goal conceded, we continue to be very, very impressed with the work the whole team but especially the defensive unit are doing to maintain shape, compactness, discipline/composure and some just good old-fashioned toughness to protect all those zeros. Literally and figuratively at the centre of things, Immy had yet another great game, marshalling the back line.
Midfield
With big tough Birmingham girls as opponents this game required some steel to be seen through. Step forward Emmy in central midfield, whose robust and tenacious approach was vital in maintaining possession and momentum.
Attack
An array of options, with Belle as lively as ever, Rosie leaping on the bouncing ball, Orly bringing creativity to all her work, and Lyra supplying more power and skill than our opponents really wanted to deal with. However pipping them to the post, Rosie gave Chesca the edge due to her work rate, skillfulness and quite frankly when pushed to choose she just liked her goal the most.
Tough choose as usual, but when pushed Rosie picked Emmy for her hard work controlling the middle of the pitch. Well done Emmy.
Training is at Princethorpe at normal time on Wednesday and we are away at Panjab FC this Saturday.
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