U9 Turquoise 24/25 - Broxbourne United U8 Pumas

GOG U8T 🩵🦩🩵 Today, we were away to Broxbourne United U8 Pumas for the second time this season. From the first game we played, we knew this would be tough opposition, which was in the minds of our girls.

The first quarter got off to an electric start. Both teams fought hard for possession in midfield. Lala almost turned provider for our first goal which was taken well by Eden. However, the goal was disallowed ❌ for what was deemed a foul in the build up. Nevertheless the girls continued to plug away at the Pumas with Alara working the defence, Willow and Lala grinding in the midfield and Eden providing the venom up front. Willow made a great run from a break up in play from the back, running towards goal and taking a shot, but the Pumas goalkeeper made a good save. Following this another attack down the left from Lala playing a great pass into Eden but her shot was parried out by the keeper. Eden managed to gather the ball from the parry and had another attempt at goal, but it was saved and out for a corner. The corner was taken, and the Pumas almost got us on the break. However, Alara won the ball back on the middle of the pitch and played a fantastic pass foward to Lala, unfortunately Lala ran out of space and the ball went out of play for a goal kick. The Pumas nearly hit us again on the counter attack, but Alara again got back making a vital block and seeing it out for a corner. Alara hurt herself in the process, but she bravely carried on.  It was nice to see all the girls give her a pat on the back and put a reassuring arm around her to check if she was good to continue. Finally, we got the break we deserved when Willow broke up play fantastically down the left, holding off two players before playing a great pass 🤝 into Eden who smashed the ball into the back of the net in the penalty box ⚽ for our first goal. Alara then nearly got a goal of her own picking up the ball in a dangerous area and putting a shot on goal, but the keeper pulled of a great save with the shot being deflected onto the post and out of play.

Second quarter started as fast paced as the first. We fielded Alara in defence, Evie, Olive midfield and Ariana up front. Evie won back the ball from a Pumas attack playing in an excellent ball to Ariana, but her shot was just off target. The Pumas then attacked down our right but Alara put in a vital block to cancel out the danger. Ariana almost turned provider when she played in Evie who got some power behind the shot, but it was saved by the keeper and out for a throw to us. We then had to dig and soak up some Broxbourne attacks. Then Olive who picked the ball up from our own box went on a brilliant run through the middle, with close control and made a great effort on goal but the keeper just got hand to it and the follow up was cleared by a Pumas defender. Olive then nearly gave an assist to Ariana who shot was just wide of goal. We then won a free kick just outside the box in a dangerous area. This was taken by Alara who placed her shot around the Pumas wall with some power, but unfortunately for us, it forced a great save and was parried out by the goalkeeper. We finally go our second goal when Alara broke up play in the middle, which was picked up by Ariana who took an excellent shot ⚽️ into the bottom left corner of the net. After kick off Evie went on a great run on the right playing a pass into Ariana but her shot was off target. From a Pumas goal kick out to the defender, the outbound pass from the defender wonderfully intercepted by Evie who played in Olive 🤝 Olive still had a defender and keeper to beat, a fabulous shimmy and faint to the left and cut back onto her right, beat the defender, followed by a well placed shot ⚽ gave us our third goal of the match. After the restart Olive almost repaid the favour playing the ball into Evie, who's shot was saved.

Third quarter we put Evie at the back, with Willow and Eden midfield and Lala upfront. Straight after kick off Willow who was tenacious with winning the ball back today, quickly recovered the ball, carrying the ball passed two players and placing the ball into the roof of the net ⚽ for our fourth goal. After the restart Lala who won the ball back, went on a run, but her shot was off target. Lala then won the ball back in midfield playing in Eden, but the keeper made the save from the shot. The Pumas had a few chances with attacks coming off our left side. However, Evie did really well to see off these threats with some help from her team mates. There was some really good fluid passing and moving between Eden, Lala and Willow which was great to see. The good ball possession was rewarded when Willow won the ball back up the pitch holding off two defenders 🤝 and playing in Lala in the box who took her shot well, placing it under pressure into the bottom right corner ⚽ for our fifth goal of the match. After the break Lala then turned provider winning a tackle off the Pumas near the half way line and playing a great pass forward 🤝 to Eden who smashed the ball on goal ⚽ for our sixth of the game. Lala did extremely well with retaining the ball and winning the ball back for the team in this quarter. Another recovery from Lala who this time played in Willow, but the effort was just off target. The Pumas then mounted a lot of pressure on our goal with Evie, Willow and Eden putting in the blocks and Ariana making a great save. After a series of Puma efforts and blocks from our girls the ball fell nicely to Evie who took the ball under control from defence, got her head up and played an excellent pass to Lala, who held her position on the half way line. Lala had a lot of ground to cover and made her way towards goal, but unfortunately she put her shot on goal just wide.

Fourth quarter we had Eden in goal, Alara in defence, Willow, Ariana midfield and Olive up front. We then rotated bringing on Lala and Evie for the last half of the quarter. The Pumas continued on the attack but we dug in deep. Willow did well to win the ball back and go on the attack down the left playing a nice cross into Alara in the box, Alara was unlucky not to score with the Pumas keeper making a good save. Alara was a ball of energy in this half of the quarter again going on a solo run out from the back, wide and then cutting into the middle. Again, a fantastic effort was saved by the goal keeper. Play was stopped by our girls who could see a Broxbourne player down and in some discomfort. The girls showed great compassion, checking and consoling the opposition player which was heart warming to see. During this time we made our subs bringing on Lala and Evie. Lala took over in defence and Evie went into midfield. Both played really well. Lala cancelled out a lot of Pumas pressure, putting in the tackles, blocks and interceptions. Lala picked up a Pumas clearance from the halfway line, playing a pass into Olive who forced another great effort and save from the Pumas keeper. Ariana did very well to win back the ball, playing in Olive who laid the ball off 🤝 to Evie in a great shooting position. It was the tightest of angles but Evie showed great technique lacing a powerful shot passed the Pumas defender and between the keeper and the near post ⚽ for our seventh of the game. Evie and Olive continued to combine well in this quarter. With Lala and Ariana holding firm at the back, and transitioning the ball forward.

Despite the score this was one of our toughest games to date. Their character and mentality was really put to the test before and during the game. But, they really showed their class doing their talking on the pitch. Every single girl deserved player of the match today. Both Coach Stephen and Coach Dan were very proud of your efforts today. Well done Alara, Ariana, Eden, Evie, Lala, Olive and Willow.👏🏻👏🏾

Player of the match went to Lala this week. She showed real leadership and organisation, making sure everyone was where they needed to be. She also played every position on the pitch in this game. Well done Lala 🏆

Opposition player of the match was Alara. She put in a real captains performance today. She is the heart and rock of our team. She plays her position like no other and her reading of the game is invaluable to the team. Today it could be seen how well she's taken on board areas of improvement. Well done Alara 🏆

Ariana ⚽

Eden ⚽⚽

Evie ⚽

Lala ⚽

Olive ⚽

Willow ⚽

Assists: Willow x2 Evie x1 Lala x1 Olive x1 🤝

Captain: Alara ©️

POTM 🏆 Lala

Opposition POTM 🏆Alara