U14 Purple 24/25 - St Albans Gladiators

GOG U13s Purple vs St Albans Gladiators 

Today we travelled to St Albans in the first round of the cup. They are in a division above us and we knew it would be a good test for our girls. Game starts and we wasn’t playing the  football we have been playing the last few weeks. Passing was off and we couldn’t get hold of the ball for more than three passes. It was a little back and fourth with St Albans playing great one, two touch football. With a clearance from Seraphina, Lana pounced on the defenders and she pokes it in to give us the lead. St Albans was playing out from the back alot so we wanted to squeeze them right in. With the next goal-kick they pass it straight to Mariah where she puts it away. With a two goal cushion we still wasn’t playing the way us coaches wanted to, it was to rushed and we invited pressure. With that pressure Sofia would sweep up any danger that would come her way. Aaliyah who was fairly quiet pulled out a great save to knock it round the post.

Half time 0-2

Us coaches explained to the girls that although we was winning, we wasn’t doing the basics and not getting the ball down to make easy passes. The girls knew with the second half about to start that they had to switch on. We started ok with Jess running down the left wing unable to finish her great work. Our defence again was keeping a close eye on their attackers and being very solid. St Albans hit back with a great strike to pull one back. We then started to play the ball well after with Amaya moving into the midfield. She played an exceptional half, demanding the ball, breaking up any chances and putting through some chances for the our strikers. Emma was then put through by Lily J to get her goal and put us up by three. Antonia was unlucky with a great strike to hit the crossbar. A few more chances we couldn’t get in, but with not many minutes to go a poor clearance went to Hayley who tucked it away to finish off a great second half’s play. 

With this being a good test with division three opposition we now move onto the next round of the cup. But we first need to concentrate on next week’s league game. 

Lana⚽️

Mariah⚽️

Emma⚽️

Hayley⚽️

POTM Amaya🏆