U13s v Stevenage Borough, Herts County Cup (away) - 31.10.10

Moist air and eyes surrounded the team as they assembled in Stevenage for the next round of the Herts County Cup and a minute of silence before kick-off was observed in tribute to dear Malcolm, who will long be missed from our touchline.
Eleven a side was the format on a pitch that was a little undersized for the number of players, making for a compacted game in slippy conditions. However it clearly suited the girls, who all contributed to an excellent team performance. A strong opening from the visitors and the first goal came after five minutes, Inka firing home from a pass from Scarlett. Stevenage battled back but the four player backline of Louise, Tyler, Emily and Lauren were equal to everything, putting in fine tackles, Skye only occasionally called into action to make a save.
Midway through the half and Elly and Faye replaced Simi and Abigail, just in time to be part of the team's next score, Scarlett shooting home from the edge of the area. Abby was providing width on the right and good passing was stretching the play as much as possible, allowing the fleet footed winger to send in a series of good crosses. Goal three though came from a set piece, Emily's corner finding Tia who passed to Scarlett who picked up her second of the game.
Half time and Simi now came back on for Abby on the wing making some threatening runs throughout the half. After further chances fell to the blues, Skye pulled off a great save to deny Stevenage who were not completely stifled from the game, their occasional breaks keeping things competitive. Lauren and Tia were replaced by Abby and Abigail as the game went into the final quarter and time for a peach from Inka, cutting in from the wing and picking her spot in the corner. Stevenage didn't give up and earned a corner shortly after, then sent in a strike that though Skye got a hand to, couldn't keep out. 4-1 to the visitors.
Into the closing minutes and Scarlett looked to complete her hat-trick after a great midfield display. She hit the post with one attempt but finally got her third and the team's fifth with a classy finish from a pass from Abby, following Inka's corner.

Result: Won 1-5
Team: Skye, Louise, Tyler, Emily, Lauren, Simi, Abigail, Scarlett, Inka, Abby, Tia
Subs: Faye, Elly
Scorers: Inka (2), Scarlett (3)

U13s v S & T Academy - Friendly (home) 23.10.10

The beginning of half-term and new friends from Barking visited Grange Paddocks, providing great preparation for the Herts County Cup quarter-final the following week.
A frenetic opening ten minutes signalled what was to come - a thrilling and high quality encounter between two good footballing sides. End to end stuff from the start, S&T found the net after 5 minutes, their striker flying towards goal and finding a fine finish. Two minutes later and a free kick offered Emily the chance to reply, her outlandishly optimistic attempt sailing with pace over the fingertips of Barking's keeper and dipping under the bar - a remarkable strike, and not the first time she has done it. 1-1
The balanced score was unfortunately only temporary when Barking's striker again showed tremendous pace and power, the unlucky Lauren in goal unable unable to keep it out. Stortford were making their own opportunities though, Scarlett found the keeper with her strike, Ellie-Mae just failing to meet a corner and Simi doing some great work behind her.
Abby and Tia came on for Tyler and Simi, immediately into the action and there to see at close hand some brave goalkeeping from Lauren. S&T found a third goal before the break though, sneaking one past Lauren in unfortunate circumstances. 1-3.
Into the second period and Faye replaced Ellie-Mae on the wing, immediately linking up in a nice move with Inka and Tia. The intensity remained high, Barking dangerous on the break, Stortford tackling hard and looking to pass their way to success. It was the visitors who were next to score when their striker ran into the box and poked home clinically, but Stortford responded quickly when Faye found Tia who slipped the ball home . 2-4.
Time for a reshuffle as the game entered its final quarter - Simi and Tyler on for Abigail and Louise, all the girls getting a good taste of this high quality game. Two further goals in quick succession from Barking put a bit of a gloss on the scoreline from their perspective, but the team pressed on and took a great deal from the game, performing extremely well in the challenge presented them.

Team: Lauren, Emily (c), Scarlett, Simi, Tyler, Ellie-Mae, Inka, Louise, Abigail
Subs: Faye, Tia, Abby
Scorers: Emily, Tia

U13s v Comberton Crusaders - League (away) 16.10.10

Back again to Haslingfield, this time without our skipper who was sampling the delights of Manchester's finest at Old Trafford with her dad. That she returned still loyal to "the 'ammers" was a great relief to her mum, but I digress.
Squally showers scudded across the pitch, sharp contrast to our last visit but Stortford opened the game in spritely fashion, Inka finding Tia who forced a mistake from the keeper and just failed to reclaim the spill. More pressure, Scarlett thundering a shot from midfield over the keeper and onto the crossbar, Tia again just failing to find the net. Inka went close from distance, Ellie-Mae picked out Abby who earned a corner, the light blue machine was in full flow.
Comberton made occasional in-roads, but Skye and the defence looked comfortable, a long goal kick out to  Tia bringing the next the chance to the visitors. Next Tia was flagged for off-side, a border line decision at best and after a few more minutes of Stortford dominance scored from a lovely ball from Scarlett, the home team linesman again flagging her off-side when she was clearly on - decisions for which were apologised for afterwards. The lack of reward for the efforts was worrying the manager though. Was this to be 'one of those days'?
The good play continued, Lauren and Simi sitting either side of the defensive flanks, Scarlett and Ellie-Mae holding the middle and Inka the midfield with Abby and Faye on the wings supporting Tia up front, but still no goal. Time for something new and Abigail replaced Tia up front. Abby meanwhile was having a stormer of a game on the right. A shot into the side netting preceded a moment of magic, her quick feet beating her marker and freeing her to fly down the line and pop a ball in to the waiting Abigail to finish sharply and finally put Bishops Stortford into the lead.
Half-time and two more changes, Elly on for Faye and Tyler replacing Simi. The good football continued, Inka doubling the lead when she received the ball and dribbled past the goalie to score. Louise now replaced her at the centre of midfield and for the rest of the game orchestrated the game from there, seamlessly continuing the work of her predecessor with some great passing and defending. More quality moments from the team; Ellie-Mae putting a chance from a corner over, a great ball from Lauren up the wing, one touch passing from Louise and Abigail, great crosses from Abby, a shot from Scarlett. The returning Tia received the reward for her first half effort, picking up another great ball from Louise and carving the ball home to take the score to 3-0. 
Lauren now took over the gloves and was called into action dealing with what was thrown at her but it was Stortford that continued to present the more attacking threat. Final minutes and Inka took over from Scarlett who had worked hard all morning in defence, Skye also coming on for a short on-pitch run-out replacing Abby who received rousing applause for a great performance on the wing. The final combination produced one last goal, Inka and Skye combining to put Tia through, her classy finish bringing the final score to 4-0.


Team: Skye (c), Scarlett, Ellie-Mae, Lauren, Simi, Inka, Faye
Subs: Abigail, Elly, Tyler, Louise
Scorers: Abigail, Inka, Tia (2)

U13s v Cambridge City - League (home) 9.10.10

In any sporting competition it is inevitable that when the best come together, excitement and anticipation bubble and rise in the pre-game build up and when Bishop's Stortford and Cambridge City meet it is no different. The touchline filled for the 10 o'clock kick-off, bringing players and supporters out early on a mild autumn morning at Friedberg, both teams eager in their warm-up, readying themselves for the challenge to come. 

The home team played downhill in the first-half and after early exchanges progressed to a throw-in deep into the left-hand corner. Quick movement from players then Abigail threw the ball in to Inka just inside the area who took a shove in the back as she received the ball. A foul anywhere on the pitch, the referee pointed to the penalty spot, a good decision that a few may not have made, but one that set a tone of discipline in this potentially fiesty fixture. Inka took the spot kick and stroked the ball to the right of the goal, the keeper's left hand getting a touch but failing to keep it out. 1-0 to Bishop's Stortford.

A shock start then for Cambridge, but their determination didn't dip, matched equally by the desire and skill of Stortford, girded by their early advantage. In other games, both teams can command possession and set their own tempo to a game, working to make their openings. Against each other, each moment is wrapped in competition, each player closeted quickly, fast thinking, quick passing and total concentration pre-requisite. The visitors sought parity, Emily and Skye preventing an immediate response, Scarlett and Ellie-Mae combining to stifle a second, but the third attempt brought success, Lucy Holder smashing a powerful shot from distance that looped over Skye's head to put the white shirts of Cambridge back on level terms. Another attack was saved by Skye before the light blues started to impose themselves on Cambridge's defences, Scarlett having a shot defended for a corner and Louise seeing another saved. 

A foul in midfield gave Emily the opportunity to test the Cambridge keeper from distance. She was equal to the task and watched another attempt shortly after from Abigail find the side-netting of her goal. Attempts by each team threatened, three shots from Cambridge well saved or wide, two from Scarlett and Ellie-Mae equally unable to make their mark.

A tactical switch from the home team now, attempting to ask different questions, Ellie-Mae now taking over from Tia in leading the line, Simi slotting into defence. Abigail and Ellie-Mae linked up immediately and built an attack, at first defended, then intercepted by Emily who found Inka in the box. A jink and a sliver from Inka was followed by a studied left foot shot that slid the ball home. 25 minutes in and the score now 2-1 to Stortford.

Again Cambridge responded, Skye called upon to produce her finest work, first she dealt with a looping shot from distance, then made a flying save to her right and finally before the break a tip round her left hand post to keep the lead intact.

Up the hill in the second-half but a bright opening from the Bishop's Stortford girls, Ellie-Mae surging forward, Scarlett linking with Inka and having a shot saved. Emily and Tyler were called into action, Simi too defending well, meeting her challenges and passing well to Abigail out of defence. A half moment of indecision cost dear though as a Cambridge throw-in presented problems and a shot found the net. Scores level and all to play for. Ellie-Mae again surged through from half-way but to no avail, Scarlett had another shot saved, Simi broke up another dangerous attack, this was end to end stuff. A change now, Abby adding fresh legs and whilst Abigail took a rest.

Gravity in their favour, Cambridge kept pressing, eager to put to rest memories of their last visit to Freidberg. Emily cleared off the line in some desperate defending, but another chance fell to the visitors and they took the lead for the first time, fifteen minutes still on the match clock. Lauren took over from Simi and then Faye for Tyler, the team re-assembled into 3-3-2 to try and find an equaliser. Cambridge took advantage of the lesser defensive numbers, fine tackles from Lauren and Ellie-Mae and a save from Skye equal to the challenge. Ellie-Mae retired through injury, Abigail replacing her. Long balls out of defence now, Faye and Inka seeking that moment of inspiration to salvage the result, the die-ing minutes frantic and exciting. No moment came though, the final whistle bringing another thrilling match to a close, Cambridge rightly jubilant at the result, but thankfully no dark faces from Stortford as each should be justly proud of their performances and effort levels.

There is so little to choose between these teams - to my eye Bishop's Stortford just have the edge on skill and play the nicer football, clean passing and well worked opportunites their forte, Cambridge perhaps a slightly more physical and direct proposition, though these are generalisations, both teams sprinkled with talent and passion. Honours to Cambridge this time, but enough seen to know that our two other likely clashes with them in league and cup will produce more fantastic entertainment and every likelihood of different outcomes than this one.

Team: Skye, Louise, Emily (c), Ellie-Mae, Tyler, Scarlett, Inka, Abigail, Tia

Subs: Simi, Abby, Lauren, Faye

Scorers: Inka (2)

Cambridgeshire League Cup 1st round - Comberton Crusaders v Bishops Stortford (away) - 2.10.10

After heavy rain on Friday it was a pleasant and uplifting surprise to arrive at Haslingfield to find it bathed in sunshine. Pre-match, with a helicopter circling overhead, Mike and Odi just about avoided being caught up in a police operation against hare coursing in a neighbouring field, clearly keen to get into the action following the team's own brand of Hare hunting the previous week. However it was a different team in orange that provided today's opposition and a significantly different game developed. 
Comberton had come unstuck against us in a pre-season friendly and had started the season getting on the wrong side of some close matches. Back under the stewardship of their coach Cieran they worked hard from the start, harrying the light blues and trying to threaten our defence. The game ebbed and flowed, back and forth, end to end, exciting stuff. Inka had a shot saved, Comberton earned a corner. Tyler and Louise were defending well and Skye was called into action early. Emily intercepted another attack close to the visitors box, her clearance catching Tyler in the face who retired to let her nose-bleed dry up, Simi taking her place in the back three. At the other end Abigail found Inka with a looping ball whose reverse shot was saved by the Crusaders keeper. Stortford couldn't find the move to take the lead and were having to concentrate to keep Comberton at bay.
A change now, Tia and Abby replacing Faye and Ellie-Mae. There was almost an immediate impact as Scarlett put Tia through but again the attempt was rebuffed. The game was heading to half-time with the scores level.


No changes for the start of the second period, though Stortford were starting to get on top now. Ten minutes in and the deadlock was broken when Abigail picked out Scarlett from a throw who jinked beautifully into the box and shot home for the lead. Abigail and Louise took a rest, Lauren joining the returning Tyler. All the players from both teams were working hard with the result still in the balance, though the shot count was remaining in the light blues favour. Simi took a rest, Ellie-Mae now returning and Stortford were in the hunt for a second, a particularly nice move starting from a throw-in from Lauren, returned to her by Tia, Lauren then crossing to Inka who laid back to Scarlett, her shot well saved and behind for a corner. Inka sent the ball in, Comberton cleared to Ellie-Mae in space who surged forward and picked her spot with what is fast becoming a trademark powerful shot. A two goal lead now secured, a wave of relief spread along the touchline. Emily retired and Faye returned for a final few minutes that saw Abby hit the post before being pulled back for offside minutes. Stout defending was required as Comberton mounted a series of attacks, nearly rewarded with a goal when Skye almost had a Rob Green moment, a divot diverting a comfortable collection that thankfully slipped by the post.
A vastly different result than from the pre-season friendly, but hard work and dedication to the cause from the girls  and two great goals from Scarlett and Ellie-Mae achieved a result that takes us through to the next round and a home draw against Sawtry in November.


Team: Skye, Tyler, Emily (c), Louise, Ellie-Mae, Inka, Scarlett, Abigail, Faye
Subs: Simi, Tia, Abby, Lauren
Scorers: Scarlett, Ellie-Mae