U14 Purple 24/25 - Southgate

GOG U13s Vs Southgate

Another week and another away game! This time we went not too far to Southgate. Confidence was up from last week's result and we start with every girl eager to go. We started ok, but the simple passes weren't coming off. Southgate was playing really good passes around and you could tell they were drilled on this. With Lana scoring last week she again starts up front. The ball went off for a throw-in, Mariah with her long throw found Lana who let the ball run past her and calmly placed it into the bottom corner.  1-0

With that goal, the girls could relax a little and play the football we know we play. But credit to Southgate they kept coming at us with a few efforts and good passing. They had a few corners in a row and we would deal with them ok. But on one occasion we switched off and let the ball bounce at the back post and they equalise. 1-1 

We go in at half-time level.  

We as coaches knew we would get something out of this game. But we knew we had to stop their midfield from getting time and spraying their balls around. We wanted strong challenges non-stop and to be more physical. 

The second half starts and that's exactly what we got. Everyone was running after everything giving them no time on the ball. We had to make a few adjustments with a few player's positions but everybody stepped up especially Carolyn who was playing in her first game for us. We were fantastic throughout the second half and with a few chances unlucky to not go ahead with Emma, Elisa and Mariah. Lily J, Bonnie and Amaya were fantastic in the middle of the park as they were controlling the tempo. As the tempo rose, we were in the driving seat more and more. Mariah was put through on the right and with a little lookup she crossed an excellent ball right into Elisa's feet and she put it away bottom corner. 2-0

The relief to finally get in front was great to see. We deserved that second goal from all the work they all put in. After that, we wanted more and Mariah was unlucky hitting the crossbar and Lana was able to finish off the seconds. With time running out the concentration from all the girls was fantastic, really great to see them not wanting to let Southgate back in it at all. Aaliyah was fantastic again in goal this week, she was very loud getting the girls into position and commanding when going for the ball. Good to finally see all the work she is putting in coming off well. Seconds left and with a final push from Southgate we held firm and got to the final whistle and 3 more points in the bag. 

Credit to Southgate who I think played very well and are very unlucky to be positioned in the league table. 

The coaches and parents could see the improvements all the girls put in, especially in the second half. Southgate gave us a great game but the momentum and confidence the girls are bringing each week saw us through. 

Bring on next week 💜

Lana⚽️

Elisa ⚽️

POTM Aaliyah 🏆