U9 Turquoise 24/25 - St Albans Wildcats

GOG U8 💜🦩💜 The last game of the year and we were away to St Albans Wildcats this Saturday. Back to where our first game in the top tier began and arguably against the strongest team.

The girls started off fantastically and there wasn't much between the two teams. Alara put in a real captains performance with some solid defending and clearances preventing the Wildcats from progressing their attacks. Ariana, Evie B and Lala worked really well progressing the ball forward and saw some good attacks just miss the target. Unfortunately for us just before the end we saw a well placed effort from the Wildcats creep slowly into the back of our net.

Second quarter and the girls came out looking for a quick reply, but were pegged back with some intense attacks from the Wildcats. Alara continued some top defensive work with Evie, Eden and Olive helping out where they could. Evie made some great challenges to win the ball back, making a number of efforts to progress with the ball down the attacking right wing. The Wildcats were equally persistent in attack and defence. It was the home side who struck again with the second goal of the game.

Third quarter and the girls were not deterred by the way the game was going. Evie B did a brilliant job in defence, while Ariana, Eden and Lala worked really hard in attack, pressing from set plays and trying to win the ball back. The girls were so unlucky with efforts from Lala, Ariana and Eden just missing the target. With all the effort going in on attack the Wildcats hit with a counter attack and were awarded a penalty after one of their players went down in the box. A third goal followed from the spot, but this only knocked the girls up into another gear. The girls continued their attacks and a brilliantly struck shot from Eden rattled the left of the net and gave the girls their first goal of the game. Getting their first goal galvanised the team and both Ariana  and Lala had some further close efforts.

Final quarter and despite being two goals down the girls continued to be physical in attack and defence. The game really opened up at this point. Despite the efforts of Alara, Ariana, Lala and Olive the Wildcats showed equal determination and a fourth and fifth goal followed. Then towards the end some good pressure from the girls saw Lala win the ball in the Wildcats box and slot home our second goal of the game with the full time whistle being blown moments after.

Overall a great effort from the girls, who really have improved from their first away game to this same top tier team. Well done to Alara, Ariana, Eden, Evie, Lala and Olive.

Eden ⚽

Lala ⚽

Captain: Alara ©️

POTM 🏆 Alara

Opposition POTM 🏆Alara