GNP U11 1 - 6 U11RA Lions
Captain: Belle
Goalie: Jessie
POM: Mia
Lyra '4, '20 | OG '14 | Mia '28, '48, '56
Great to get the girls out for another game after the enforced winter break. Thanks for everyone's patience this morning while we waited for the greener pitch to be available. As we had no subs for the match it was worth not making them slog it out on the muddy one. And a mighty effort by all 9 today; well done to all the girls, they stuck at it and maturely allowed the ball to do a lot of work for them.
Aware that the oppositions sub rotation would keep them fresh, the girls got stuck in straight away, getting ahead after a determined Lyra picked up the ball from a pass from Lily, drove straight at goal and misdirected the keeper with her shot.
The opposition came straight back at us, driving down both wings but the girls remained coordinated and kept them at bay.
Lyra kept the pressure up on the opposition and again after picking up the ball in a good position forced an own goal out of the opposition centre back (coaches committee decision, sorry Lyra, but she definitely 'made that goal happen' so 100% gets an assist).
Building momentum the girls next produced one of a number of lovely passing plays which were highlights of the game. Chesca and Mia combined with passes to cut through the oppo, again finding Lyra open, who managed poke it into the far corner.
Despite the score the opposition were firmly contesting the game and finally managed to break down our defence, sweeping in from left to right their, lively #11 picked up the ball from a cross, got in behind and fired in from close range.
However the girls picked themselves up and started firing back straight away. Freya played Chesca through on the wing and was our #4 was unlucky not to convert her shot into her latest goal. Then a couple of minutes later Freya repeated the trick, this time playing Mia through who went straight for goal, beating the keeper with a crisp shot. With seconds left on the clock, Zariah played Belle through who fired a good shot only to be denied by the goalie.
4-1 half time.
Lots of water at half time, a reminder to stay as vigilant as possible and to pace themselves - and back on they went!
Only for us to be cut down to 8 just a couple of minutes later. The girls had already been toughing it out in the first half, both Belle and Chesca walking off some robust play (lovely stud marks on Chesca's leg as a war wound), but an injury to her foot meant Lyra had to go off for assessment and to recuperate, leaving the girls with an 8v9 segment. The girls stamina and organisation was tested but they stood firm. Jessie (v solid in the first half already) got to demonstrate her effectiveness with 3 key saves in the second half to maintain the girls advantage, and in the outfield the girls used their compactness in defence and speed on the counter to keep the opposition at bay.
Having passed a fitness and sobriety test, Lyra went back on (and nearly scored straight away but bare with me this match report is already getting long). Having rotated the players to keep things fresh the girls got back on the front foot, led by an on fire Mia. Freya and Lyra combined to cut through the opposition, then finding Mia who wiggled her way past her marker and slotted it home.
The opposition didn't give up, probing down the wings, they kept the defence busy, the team kept at it (some notable tracking back from the attack to bolster numbers when needed) and at the other end, Lily, Lyra, Mia and Zariah were all keeping up the pressure leading to Mia getting open in front of goal with only a couple of minutes left and unleashing 'strike force one' into the top corner. The collective gasp from everyone watching was nearly as loud as the cheer that followed. A remarkable strike, well done Mia.
Captain's Nominations
Great game from today's captain, as usual Belle covered an immense amount of ground, was great driving forward and most impressively was in the middle of some lovely passing play 👏🏻
Defence
Another solid shift for the defence, Jessie, Lily (some vital shoulder to shoulder work with the oppositions #3), Immy, Zariah and Chesca all great, but well done Freya, some great distribution going forward 👏🏻 and determined work tracking the tricky oppo #11.
Midfield
Lots of action across the middle and the girls battled against a big and determined team. Well done to Mia, Immy and Belle for their efforts in the middle but Belle was very vocal about her appreciation of Zariah's play and tbf coaches chat point #1 was 'did you see those 1-2s from Z?!' so I think we are all in a agreement, well done Z 👏🏻.
Attack
Another dominant game up front for Lyra, brilliant to get Lily back in the attacking mix, and great to see Chesca and Belle using their pace to pin back the oppo, but topping the list this week is Mia with a superb hat trick and goal of the season contender. 👏🏻
After a minor debate with herself, Belle went with her first and ultimately last choice, Mia, well done Mia!
Go 🦁
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