Under 13 Girls v Burwell Tigers (away) - League 23.4.11

The Burwell Recreation Ground was almost deserted as the Stortford girls started to arrive, hot sun and no other games going on giving a suggestion that we were in the wrong place or perhaps, the wrong season. The feeling was further compounded as mini-soccer goals were assembled on a smaller pitch, causing a few questions amongst girls and parents, but the girls were encouraged to play to the conditions, the game commenced.
The early minutes were negotiated with the team passing well and looking to reset their range finders to the smaller target, Ellie-Mae as threatening as ever on the wing. On another day she would have had a hat-trick almost in the first 10 minutes such were her the ferocity of her strikes, but today they crept passed post and upright with regularity. Inka had an early run and shot and Abby was having fun on her wing, play encouraged wide to make space to get close to the goal. Inka profited on five minutes, picking up the ball in the last third and then sliding it home from close range to put the blues in front. 
Abby had another run on the right, neat ball control getting her in position to cross, Abigail picking it up and shooting narrowly wide. This good play was immediately followed by the second goal, Scarlett's slide rule pass picking out Inka's run, the finish as good as the pass.

The game was being played almost exclusively in the Burwell half, Stortford's back line of three sitting on the half way line, always ready to intercept trouble or provide a pass option to the midfield. Simi intercepted well, then Louise and Ellie-Mae combined neatly to produce a chance for Scarlett that slipped wide of the under-sized goal. Poor Scarlett had two further unsuccessful attempts in quick succession as she sought to hone her shooting on to the target. Help and encouragement rang out from the touchline - "it's the big white thing!" - a smile was enough of a reply for now, the full riposte followed in the second half. Time for some changes, Tia on for Inka, Abby and Ellie-Mae switching wings, then a mid-half lull in the proceedings as Burwell had a major shift round in personnel. The blues got back into the swing quickly, dominating the midfield, creating a couple of chances for Abby and Abigail, then earning further corners, Simi going close from one. Louise was called upon defensively and completed her task, Skye tidying up behind. The resulting play produced another goal, Skye's huge kick descending on a defender. Tia closed in quickly and slipped the ball deftly by the advancing keeper for the team's third. 

They were in full flow now, Ellie-Mae slaloming through the defence, Scarlett surging forward, sharp passes producing regular opportunities. Abigail just failed to turn home a cross from Scarlett, Ellie putting Tia in who shot wide, the pressure on the Burwell goal was constant. Inka replaced Scarlett in central midfield and watched as Ellie-Mae had a goal disallowed. Abigail had a left foot shot saved from Inka's neat pass as the control continued, demonstrated beautifully just before the break. A second corner in quick succession from Ellie-Mae picked out Louise deep in space who passed on to Inka. Head up, she played the ball through to Tia who just beat the goalkeeper to the ball and sent it home for a comfortable 4-0 half-time lead.
Changes for the second period saw Ellie-Mae take a rest, Louise pull on the gloves and Skye take up station on the left flank.

The game's pattern continued, Abigail putting in an early cross that failed to get a touch, Scarlett powering just over the bar and a Burwell attack stopped before it got anywhere by Emily. A pass out to Skye kept the ball moving, her pass finding Abigail whose shot was saved for a corner. Skye sent the ball in and Inka met it powerfully with a strong header that grazed the cross-bar. The front two were working beautifully in partnership, feeding each other with short passes and making runs into space. At their back was the ever-sharp Scarlett, always closing down the ball and then spreading play. She put past misses out of her mind 6 minutes into the half, picking up a goal kick and weaving through the pink shirts to plant the ball in the net. 5-0 to the visitors.

With the home team tiring, Bishop's Stortford turned on the style, Inka trying a lob shot over the keeper that just sailed wide. The combination play was a joy to see, the ball moving from side to side, back and forth, Emily orchestrating things well. The next significant move saw the captain pick out Skye on the left who carried, then pulled the ball back to Scarlett who struck low, hard and handsome through the crowded box for her second. Tia completed her hat-trick a minute later, slipping through the middle and slotting home, before a change a made at centre-back, Ellie-Mae replacing Emily at the heart of the defence. Scarlett hit the cross bar a moment later, but wasn't to be denied her own third, winning the ball with a header then controlling and running in, planting the ball firmly home for the team's eighth goal of the game.

The deluge continued, Tia trying a cheeky back heel then Inka striking a shot that was deflected out for a corner. Inka was more fortunate a couple of minutes later, securing a third goal for herself when she streaked through the defensive line and finished with great aplomb. Another change of Stortford goalkeeper saw Emily take on the gloves and had to be careful she didn't bang her head on the low cross-bar. Skye had a run and shot, defended for a corner and Abigail put a strike just over the bar as the team sought a double figure score. Louise on for Abby now up front, Burwell hanging on, desperate in defence, but they couldn't prevent another score, this time Scarlett putting Inka through, her finishing as hot as ever as she picked up her fourth goal of the match to make it 10-0. Corner after corner followed in the closing minutes, Ellie-Mae and Skye sending in dangerous balls. Louise and Tia passed neatly in the heart of the defence, both having attempts saved on the line and the game finished as it started, Ellie-Mae just skimming the cross-bar as the final whistle rang out across the peaceful playing fields.

With all the team in sharp form we are in great shape for the final season run-in and the pleasant distraction of the Butlin's Bognor tournament next weekend. Many thanks to Guy for the photos. A link to the full set will follow shortly.

Result: won 0-10

Team: Skye, Simi, Emily (c), Louise, Abby, Scarlett, Ellie-Mae, Inka, Abigail

Subs: Tia

Scorers: Inka (4), Tia (3), Scarlett (3)