Westbury
Park Foxes U15 Girls 6
Emersons
Green YFC 1
(pictures to follow...hopefully)
After last week's home fixture against these
opponents fell victim to traditional November pitch-waterlogging, there was
relief when this match - which should have been the away leg- could be switched
from an unplayable Emersons Green surface back to BAWA. An afternoon kick-off allowed
the use of the only-slightly-muddy middle pitch. With the low winter sun
shining, everything was set fair for a good match against opponents who always
pose us a challenge (we still haven't forgotten the shock 4-2 home defeat in
2015, so traumatic at the time that no match report was written...)
The opening exchanges saw the Foxes absorbing the
visitors' initial through balls aimed for their star no. 9, and gradually getting
the passing game going. After a few minutes the ball was being pinged through
the midfield regularly to release Amelia on the right, or Georgia on the left.
The first goal came on 8 minutes, with Georgia cutting in from the left,
evading challenges and finishing smartly. Before Emersons had time to recover,
a second was added, when a brave save from Georgia's shot was diverted straight
to Zoe, who burst through the box and finished low in the corner.
By now the Foxes were moving the ball very nicely.
Maybe their opponents were allowing them a little too much time, but moves were
typically beginning from the back, frequently from a calm touch and pass from
Millie, or Abby effortlessly 'bringing it under', stepping around the striker
and feeding Rhiannon or Emily to power forward. Ellie was hitting some
beautiful raking crossfield passes, and as the flying wingers or wing backs
frequently got in behind, the corner count began to climb. After a few 'sighters'
Lulu was whipping them in with increasing menace, and while the brave Emersons
keeper parried and caught some of them, the pressure eventually told. Goal
number 3 came when the Emersons defence could not clear the box, allowing Emily
to swivel and blast high into the net. Number four came from a familiar source:
Lulu's corner was bent in to the near post with such pace and height that the
unfortunate goalie could only claw it into the net.
The teams turned for the second half with the Foxes comfortably in charge, and subs Ella and Molly on to provide even more attacking momentum. The short passing combinations were still working well, often from defence to flanks to attack in three or four steps, with Lulu, Ellie and Olivia linking the play beautifully. Emersons were by now slightly better organised in defence, and keen to limit their losses. Their keeper made a number of excellent stops and catches when further goals seemed certain, and several last-ditch tackles and clearances kept Zoe at bay for much of the half. Then a delightful 'give and go' pass on the right from Amelia sent Rhiannon slaloming into the box at speed. When she beat the third defender it looked as if she might have taken too many touches, but had just enough space left to steer it beyond the keeper for her long-awaited first goal of the season. Georgia continued to have joy, and the beating of her defender on the left side, and soon afterwards cut in to finish in the corner for number 6 and her second to cap a fine performance.
In the final 10 minutes or so, the Foxes had earned the right to relax, and with Zoe and Ellie subbed and rested, the game took on a slightly laid-back and light-hearted atmosphere. With a few comedy tumbles in the mud, and a general lowering of intensity, the Foxes sat back a little as Emersons Green tried to finish strongly and at least test Betty in the home goal. To their credit, they kept going and gained their reward when defensive indecision allowed their speedy midfielder to feed no. 9 in the box, just beating the offside for a well-deserved consolation goal. The final whistle shortly afterwards brought an end to a good natured and sporting encounter, played throughout with smiles on faces.
The teams turned for the second half with the Foxes comfortably in charge, and subs Ella and Molly on to provide even more attacking momentum. The short passing combinations were still working well, often from defence to flanks to attack in three or four steps, with Lulu, Ellie and Olivia linking the play beautifully. Emersons were by now slightly better organised in defence, and keen to limit their losses. Their keeper made a number of excellent stops and catches when further goals seemed certain, and several last-ditch tackles and clearances kept Zoe at bay for much of the half. Then a delightful 'give and go' pass on the right from Amelia sent Rhiannon slaloming into the box at speed. When she beat the third defender it looked as if she might have taken too many touches, but had just enough space left to steer it beyond the keeper for her long-awaited first goal of the season. Georgia continued to have joy, and the beating of her defender on the left side, and soon afterwards cut in to finish in the corner for number 6 and her second to cap a fine performance.
In the final 10 minutes or so, the Foxes had earned the right to relax, and with Zoe and Ellie subbed and rested, the game took on a slightly laid-back and light-hearted atmosphere. With a few comedy tumbles in the mud, and a general lowering of intensity, the Foxes sat back a little as Emersons Green tried to finish strongly and at least test Betty in the home goal. To their credit, they kept going and gained their reward when defensive indecision allowed their speedy midfielder to feed no. 9 in the box, just beating the offside for a well-deserved consolation goal. The final whistle shortly afterwards brought an end to a good natured and sporting encounter, played throughout with smiles on faces.
This was another excellent team performance, with
the slick short passing and pace on the flanks sufficient to secure the win in
the first half. The coaches were also encouraged to see the goals shared
around, and on another day against a weaker defence and keeper there could have
been three or four more. There was skill and strength on display all over the
pitch, but the coaches decided that for her neat and calm tackling and passing
out of defence, Millie merited the prestigious 'Girl of the Game' award*
(* there used to be an actual trophy for this, which is now long since 'missing in action'...the management are offering a Christmas amnesty for its safe return)
(* there used to be an actual trophy for this, which is now long since 'missing in action'...the management are offering a Christmas amnesty for its safe return)
With half the season done and all opponents played
once, only the tough defeat by leaders Keynsham blots an otherwise perfect
record. There is a long way to go, and surely many twists and turns to come.
With the return fixture at Keynsham now postponed into the New Year, the Foxes
will look to continue their winning run up to Christmas and beyond. Next up are
tough season-opening opponents Fry Club, against whom the initial aim is not to
concede in the first minute....
Girl of the Game: Millie
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