Under 13s v Huntingdon Rowdies (home), League - 26.2.11

The day

A few days of rain in the run up to the game had taken their toll on the pitch, the lower half especially slippy with puddles in both goalmouths. Spitting rain showers passed through on a brisk wind though nothing compared to last week at Newmarket.

The goals and substitutions

Starting line up: Skye (gk), Tyler, Emily, Simi, Abby, Scarlett, Faye, Abigail, Tia

Inka on for Scarlett

1-0 - Rowdies goal kick out to Tyler who finds Tia. Great finish.

2-0 - Tia earns a corner. Emily sends it in and Abigail puts the ball home.

Elly on for Faye

3-0 - A goal disallowed for offside a moment earlier, Tia picks up the ball, surges forward and calmly beats the keeper.

Scarlett on for Tia

4-0 - Skye's unsuccessful penalty was quickly forgotten as Inka combined with Abby to put Abigail in for her second.

Faye on for Abigail

5-0 - Emily's corner beats the defence and is met by Scarlett who knees home the ball on the volley.

6-0 - Two minutes later and Scarlett has another, skating into the box with the defence backing off and slotting home.

7-0 - Very pretty, nicely worked short corner sees a one-two between Emily and Elly, with Emily sending in the ball. Faye improvises a super volley into the net.

8-0 - Long range free-kick specialist Emily plants one straight between the sticks from 25 yards.

HALF-TIME

Second half line up: Faye (gk), Abigail, Emily, Simi, Elly, Scarlett, Skye, Inka, Tia

9-0 - Emily's corner is headed by Skye back into the box to Scarlett who picks up her hat-trick with a calm finish.  

10-0 - Skye gets off the mark for the season with a powerful strike from distance wide on the left.

11-0 - Elly's nutmeg gets through to Scarlett who collects another from a narrow angle.

12-0 - Inka finally gets her goal after an interchange of passes with Tia.

Abby on for Scarlett

Scarlett takes over in goal from Faye

Tyler on for Simi

13-0 - Over head kick from Skye saved by keeper. Abigail dispossesses a defender and grabs her hat-trick, a great shot cutting in from wide left. 

Faye on for Inka

14-0 - Tia closes the scoring and secures her own hat-trick, running from half-way and finishing with class.

The opposition

Huntingdon came a little under strength and with no subs to call on. They kept their spirit pretty much to the end and were enthusiastic if not effective. They also have their own cup semi-final against Newmarket to look forward to - my money is on Newmarket to go through.

The players

Simi and Tyler both had excellent games, looking to get forward and support when the opportunity was there, providing an option to the wingers, closing down on the ball and communicating well with Emily who had another great game. Her calling and positioning well demonstrated the recent developments we are making in our defensive organisation - a cracking goal and excellent corners too.

Scarlett controlled the game again from the centre of midfield and has further embellished the central spine of our team this season. Confident to carry and finish when the opportunity is there, her positional sense and passing and link-up set the tempo of our play, whilst her four goals today took her to the 20 goal mark with ten games still to go. On the flanks, Elly had a great run-out, holding up the ball sensibly and passing and receiving with midfield  and forwards to fine effect. Abby worked hard throughout, tracking her marker forward and back, also putting in some really excellent and threatening crosses.

Abigail never fails to deliver, wherever she is asked to play and showed that again against Huntingdon. Her sharp finishing ability brought reward in a fine hat-trick - her work away from the goals is often pivotal. Skye showed that besides being one of our age group's leading keepers, as an outfielder she can hold her own and provide a powerful attacking threat from the left. Chuffed to bits she scored such a super goal to break her season's duck and secure another year when all our players have scored. Faye provided both quote of the day - 'Going in goal is like being a sub, only you stand up' - and another hard working shift in midfield and attack, topped off by a nice reaction volley finish. Not quite sure how she got the goalkeeping shirt so dirty though!

And finally, our strike twins, so different yet so effective together, fifty goals between them already this season. Inka struggled to find her football feet initially, understandably so after a week of standing side-ways and sliding down mountains, but she will have benefited from the run-out ahead of next week. Tia is in a sharp run of form with 7 goals in two games - I fully expect her to continue in such a rich vein. Class, as they say, is permanent.

Result: won 14-0

Team: Skye, Simi, Emily (c), Tyler, Abigail, Abby, Scarlett, Faye, Tia

Subs: Elly, Inka

Scorers: Tia (3), Scarlett (4), Abigail (3), Emily, Faye, Skye, Inka

Under 13s v Newmarket Town (away), League - 19.2.11

The soggy Newmarket match report provides permanent testament to
Cathy's reporting efforts, and cold fingers!

Dullingham Polo Club was enveloped in ground level cloud and the air filled with a cold and persistent drizzle as the girls arrived for their first encounter with Newmarket Town, a new team to the league this season. The stiff and biting wind was best combatted by constant movement and the blues made a spritely start, making early use of the large and wide pitch to put the home team under pressure. An early goal came Scarlett's way, stabbing the ball home through a crowded area with the outside of her right boot to make it 1-0. A couple of minutes later and Tia was on the scoresheet, finding the net after consistent Stortford pressure. Five minutes on, Ellie-Mae continued her run of extraordinary goals, flying down the right flank then cutting in and striking home powerfully from a wide angle. In truth the result was already sealed at this early point as Stortford looked in comfortable control, though Newmarket, constantly maintained by a positive stream of encouragement from their coach, battled bravely on, giving their all throughout the game. Reward from the effort came just before the break, a long range and speculative effort wrong footed both Stortford defence and keeper and crawled over the goal-line.

Early second half exchanges saw Tia and Ellie-Mae both go close and Skye make a save, Scarlett thread a beauty of a pass through to Tia whose shot was thwarted, before a corner produced the next goal for the blues. Ellie-Mae crossed to Scarlett who looped a ball goal-wards, nodded home at close range by Tia to make it 4-1 to the visitors. A second headed goal nearly followed, Scarlett providing the chance for Abigail whose effort was grasped by the keeper. 

At the other end a bouncing ball in the Stortford penalty area was struck onto a defender's raised arm, the ref pointing quickly to the spot and Newmarket left eagerly anticipating a second goal. Skye dashed their hopes though, dealing with the powerfully hit spot-kick with a two handed parry over the bar.

Newmarket's spirit had run its course and in the final quarter the play was all in the blues favour, Ellie-Mae, Scarlett, Elly and Faye all going close. A free kick from Emily was parried down into the area, Scarlett quickly pouncing to score her second and the team's fifth. Then, in the final minutes, Tia broached Newmarket's defences twice in quick succession. Her hat-trick was secured when a super ball from Scarlett put her in position to jink into the box and find the net and her fourth coming with almost the last kick of the game, a rebounded ball of a defender falling to her feet for the sweetest of tap-ins.

A fine win in atrocious conditions but a pitch that suited us down to the ground. Oh to play there in spring sunshine and T-shirt warmth!

Result: won 1-7

Team: Skye, Simi, Emily (c), Abigail, Abby, Scarlett, Ellie-Mae, Faye, Tia

Subs: Elly

Scorers: Tia (4), Scarlett (2), Ellie-Mae

Under 13s v Cambridge City (away), League - 12.2.11

Visiting Cambridge City, current league leaders and our biggest rivals, is the toughest game of the season for the Under 13 Girls, particularly so this year after having narrowly lost in the reverse fixture 2-3 at home back in October. Immense satisfaction then for all the players as they came away 5-3 winners on Saturday, having gone 3-0 up in the first 10 minutes and led 5-1 by half-time. 
Their devastating start produced a goal inside two minutes, Scarlett and Tia linking up to put Inka through for the game's opener. The second fell to Ellie-Mae, a thunderous shot from the right side of the area, Scarlett and Tia again influential in setting up the chance. The third came via a cross from Inka, a controlled shot from Abigail billowing the net. 
Though shell-shocked after the opening, Cambridge remained dangerous at all times, but resolute defending from captain Emily, Louise and Tyler and fine keeping from Skye kept them at bay. Indeed, it took an unusual goal for Cambridge to break their duck, a shot straight back in to the box from a Stortford goal-kick that caught Skye out of position and made it 1-3. 
Back Stortford came though, Inka first heading against the bar and then finding the net in the resultant goal-mouth scramble. The fifth of the half came just before the break, Scarlett profiting from a slight deflection as she shot home from a corner.

The second half was guaranteed a Cambridge come back and sure enough it came, though Stortford were equal to the challenge, playing a little deeper to absorb the attacks. City pulled one back mid-way through the half, a nice finish on the end of a great cross, but the majority of their threat was stifled in it's construction - there was no chance the girls in blue would let this lead splip. The pace of the game remained high right to the end, Stortford hanging on a little at times, two fabulous saves from Skye keeping the 3 goal cushion intact. Into the last couple of minutes and Cambridge finally found a way through again, this time from a corner to bring the score to 3-5, but the mountain that Bishops Stortford had built in the first half was too high for them to climb, the final whistle bringing relief and joy to the Stortford players and travelling support.
The account above doesn't do complete justice to some outstanding performances. Everyone stood up to be counted in this, the hardest of games and they quite simply blew Cambridge away in an opening half that saw complete unity and single purpose across the team. The defence, led by Emily who produced perhaps her finest performance in a Stortford shirt, were focused and unflinching, tracking every attack and leaving no opening. Skye provided further security behind that wall and produced important saves at crucial times and assurance that gave those in front of her greater confidence. Tyler and Louise worked in seamless combination with both Emily in the defensive line and with their respective midfield partners, passing and supporting that calmly moved the ball away from danger and into potential attack. The midfield trio gave their all. Scarlett was the pivot point in the centre, quickly linking moves across the park, robustly winning important challenges and always a threat at the edge of the box. Ellie-Mae brought fear into the eyes of the opposition, her ball carrying as dangerous and marauding as Tottenham's Gareth Bale, a comparison I hope that even an ardent gunner will appreciate. Abigail showed the grit, determination and bravery that a game such as today's required, yet combined this with a deft touch, intelligent reading of the game and calm finishing that is the trademark of her game, another big leader on the pitch. At the top of the formation, Tia and Inka provided the forward threat that picked at the City defence constantly, a combination that grows in effectiveness week by week, full of touches and finesse, running for each other on and off the ball to fine effect and great link up passing to put one or other through to a shooting opportunity. Finally, in a game where substitutions were implemented purely tactically and in the end sparingly a word for, Faye, Simi and Abby who along with the cheering Elly, accepted their lack of activity for the cause of the team, always ready, each with their own particularly spice to add to the pot. 
After such a satisfying performance it is perhaps easy to wallow in hyperbole, but to my mind this was the team's greatest performance in four terrific seasons - a high accolade in view of the girls' back catalogue of outstanding matches, but one I think is deserved. I am so pleased that so many blues supporters were there to witness it. The volume and positivity of your support carried the team through and for that the girls and I are and remain, extremely appreciative.
A new standard was set this week. Well done to one and all. 

Result: won 3-5

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

Subs: Faye, Simi, Abby

Scorers: Inka (2), Ellie-Mae, Abigail, Scarlett

U13s v Burwell Tigers, League (home) - 5.2.11

The worst of the frozen clods on the Freidberg pitch had been cleared by the U14s who were on before us on Saturday, but no billiard table surface awaited our game against bottom of the table Burwell Tigers. A useful challenge then of playing passing, supportive football in a fierce cross wind, well met by the girls in a great team performance.
The team started in its customary 3-3-1-1 formation and soon took control, playing down the hill. Ellie-Mae was early into her work, producing an fine early save from the Burwell keeper with a long range effort from the right wing that was pushed round the post. Emily's corner was headed to Inka who shot just wide. Securing the ball from a goal kick, Ellie-Mae again raced down the right then cut in and unleashed a powerful strike, only to see her effort miraculously saved with a phenomenal parry. The next attack however produced the first goal, Abigail sliding a pass through to the running Inka who shot home with early confidence.
A minute later and it was 2-0, Scarlett lobbing the ball into the penalty box. The Burwell defence couldn't clear and Inka had her second goal as she threaded the ball home from close range. Chances continued to come thick and fast. Scarlett just shot over the bar, Inka had a volley saved, Ellie-Mae scythed forward again and earned another corner, which she sent over to the back post. Coming from deep, Abigail controlled and slammed home, 3-0 now the score after the opening 10 minutes.
Some sublime football now followed, Tia and Inka linking beautifully and exchanging chances, Abigail, Scarlett and Ellie-Mae winning and controlling the midfield, Tyler, Louise and Emily providing the solid backline that penned the ball in the Burwell half. A quick substitution now, Simi and Elly replacing Louise and Skye, made just in time to see Inka have a shot sail just over the bar, before Ellie-Mae received reward for her scintillating running with the ball on the right. She charged forward again and found the net from the edge of the area. Classy stuff.
Skye came back on for Abigail on the left of midfield, but Ellie-Mae on the right produced the next goal, another run and shot being only parried, Inka on hand to poke home and pick up her hat-trick.
A lovely piece of football now saw Emily pick out Skye who passed to Inka. A quick one-two with Tia provided the space for the shot, but Inka's effort was again well saved - a corner the result. Elly sent the ball in again and a lovely timed run from Scarlett saw her meet the ball on the full, the ball clipping the inside of the post to bring up the team's sixth.
Two more before half-time. Tia went close with a couple of efforts, Scarlett went over the bar again but Inka had her accuracy fine tuned today and picked up her fourth when Scarlett found her with another intuitive pass. The last goal of the half gave Ellie-Mae her second of the game, another pacey run so dynamic that the defender literally gave up, then ran in to the box and blasted home.
A shuffle round at half time - Louise now pulled on the gloves, Elly moved to the wing, Abigail went up to support Tia, Scarlett took a rest and was replaced in the middle by Inka and Skye headed for the theatre.
The bombardment however, continued. Abigail picked out Tia who had a shot saved, Ellie-Mae crossed into the box, the ball smuggled away for a corner. The corner was cleared but Emily shot from distance, another save out to Abigail, the shot going wide. Abigail went close again, Tyler's first strike of the day was defended, Tia's follow up just going over. Hands rose to foreheads in amazement that no goal had yet come. A dazzling break from Tia however broke the second half deadlock - picked out by Emily she took the ball at half-way and with close attention surged toward the goal, finishing clinically with all the grace of the top striker that she is. Two minutes later and Inka secured her fifth and final goal, another effort from Tia being pushed wide for a corner. Another excellent delivery from Ellie-Mae caused havoc in the box, Inka made a yard of space and stroked home to make it 10-0. Another opportunity for change, Emily retiring, Ellie-Mae into the centre of defence and Scarlett returning. Positional changes too, Tyler now pushed forward and Inka out onto the right wing.
Further chances fell to Inka, Abigail and Tyler, but it was Tia who bagged her second, a shot in the box beating the goalkeeper comfortably. The goal offered the chance for another change, Emily pulled on the gloves and Louise readied herself for a final run up front. Tia went close to chalking up her hat-trick, but made way for Louise after a terrific display with her strike partner that sharpened both ahead of next week's big game. Rare pressure nearly made it to Stortford's goalkeeper, but as with all other attempts they fell short, Scarlett and Inka passing their way from one box to the other, the finish just falling short for what would have been a goal that Arsenal would have been proud of. However a huge cheer was just around the corner from the home touchline when Tyler scored the team's twelfth of the match when a fine first attempt was brilliantly saved and sent spinning into the air only for Tyler to have the presence of mind to back flick the ball across the line.
A terrific performance, bags of goals and some lovely play that put everyone in great spirits and can fill everyone with high confidence heading into next week.

Result: Won 12-0
Team: Skye, Louise, Emily (c), Tyler, Abigail, Scarlett, Ellie-Mae, Inka, Tia
Subs: Simi, Elly
Scorers: Inka (5), Tia (2), Ellie-Mae (2), Scarlett, Abigail, Tyler