The penultimate game of the Under 13 Girls' season was a visit to Milton Road, home of Cambridge City FC and hosts of the Cambridgeshire League Cup finals. The Blues faced Newmarket Town who currently lie third in the league, a very creditable position in their first season. That they hold that position with a goal difference of -5 compared to Cambridge and our 120+ tells the story that they make it difficult for opposition teams to score but don't score too many themselves and so it proved, despite our previous 7-1 and 6-0 victories over them this season.
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| The 'Spoon Army' in full voice |
With highly vocal support for both sides the game opened quietly, Newmarket having early possession that Stortford absorbed, before starting to find a rhythm and picking out Ellie-Mae for an early run and cross down the right. Attacks followed with regularity from that point on, the blues looking comfortable in defence with Emily, Tyler and Simi all in sharp form, Scarlett and Inka controlling the midfield, Abigail finding plenty of space wide on the left, Ellie-Mae on the right and Tia running some great lines with quick pace up front.
Newmarket were up for the challenge though and gave their all in defending and breaking up play. Corners came frequently and the Stortford girls went close from many, great heading from Scarlett in particular grazing the cross-bar more than once. Ten or so minutes in what turned out to be the decisive moment in the game came, when Inka rose to meet a long ball forward from Emily. Just inside the area, she took a shove as she rose and the referee immediately blew for a penalty, much to this disappointment of some of the Newmarket support. Inka took responsibility and planted the ball firmly into the bottom left hand corner with an immaculate finish. 1-0 to the blues.
After a series of lung busting runs on the right throughout the first 15 minutes, Ellie-Mae retired for rest and recuperation, Faye taking her position on the wing with the tenacity of a terrier. Chances came and went for Stortford's front five but the Newmarket defence or their brave and in-form keeper denied further goals for the rest of the half and as it turned out, the rest of the match.
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| Scarlett unleashes a shot that is pushed just round the post |
The second half followed a similar pattern to the first, most of the play in the Newmarket half. Ellie-Mae returned to the right flank, Elly replacing Abigail for a period on the left later on. Stortford couldn't quite finding the killer final ball or finish, the yellow shirted Newmarket getting a foot in to break up the play, or attempts passing by the posts or cross-bar. That the second goal didn't come made for an exciting game right to the end and the 'well oiled machine' as Newmarket's previous match reports have described us, moved towards securing victory with few scares, save one short period where Skye couldn't grasp a high ball and took a moment or two to clear.
At the finish though, the right team had come away victorious despite Newmarket's best efforts and after match celebrations ran late into the afternoon, briefly at the Green Man(!) and then more extensively at the Red Lion in Hinxton.
The girls and I were so appreciative of the support they received today, both in terms of volume and number. It was a real honour to run out in front of so many family members, friends and club coaches, to see banners draped in the stands and to hear the chants and cheers for their every move. Another box was ticked in this remarkable season and we can now look forward to its climax next week back at home at Freidberg Avenue.
Result: won 1-0
Team: Skye, Simi, Emily (c), Tyler, Abigail, Scarlett, Ellie-Mae, Inka, Tia
Subs: Faye, Elly
Scorers: Inka
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