U16 JPL 24/25 - Oakland Wolves
After a good draw away from home last week we was on the road again and looking for our first win.
It would be Astro today so the girls would need to be full of energy today that’s for sure.
Game underway and for much of the half the game ebbed and flowed with both teams having very little chances however the home side did create a few good shots which our keeper Leyla took with ease. The home side did however pick the ball up on edge of box the player on the turn fired a fantastic strike which Leyla stood firm to and kept us in the match. The closest we came was a through ball to Chloe who was clearly barged in the box with absolutely no intention of the defender going for the ball yet the referee wasn’t moved. More insulting to this is their linesman was the brother of the defender and he said defo pen. HT 0-0
Team talk was simple more of the same but let’s try and play through the lines as we would need to catch this solid back four out today going on the first half performance.
Second half underway and we instantly was trying to play balls out wide from the middle for our wingers to get on to . Game carried on very much in the same way from first half with the home side stepping up from midway through. They created a few chances one off the right glanced the crossbar Leyla produced a fantastic one handed save and the chance of the match was a ball thru the left of middle which the striker only had the keeper to beat surely this was going to be it and from nowhere our captain today Charlotte came across and somehow cleared it away from danger. The game was end to end and time was ticking by we was surely going to take a point. 79 minute corner ball swang in from the right we got a half clearance which falls to them ball played out the box where their player hits it first time with power cones of the left upright and in. What a goal to win such a closely contested match.
POTM today could not be split with 2 players having outstanding games. Ruby Sharman playing out of position in the middle constantly closed down the opposition was always trying to get us on the front foot and put in two or three lung busting runs to win the ball in the middle of the park. Lois Covill new to the squad has had some real solid performances already this season but today she was up against one of the best right wingers I have seen since I have coached. The girl has speed can change direction at any time a real quality player and Lois today showed sides to her game I didn’t know she had. She showed her down the line everytime, held her position at all times, stood tall when she had to and nipped in when she knew it was right to do so. At times in the straight race late on I see so much desire in her face to give that extra she needed when she easily could of let her go. Improving week on week and deservedly shares the award today.
