U11 Turquoise 24/25 - Berkhamsted
Today was an early morning trip away to Berkhamsted Raiders. Historically a tricky but even match and today was no exception.
From the first minute, both teams were at it with players from both sides putting in tough challenges and trying to get the ball down and play football. The first real chance fell to us with Eileen, playing up top for us today, winning two 50/50 tackles and then blasting a shot towards the top corner from outside the box only to be denied by a great save. Moments later, after some good passing, Eileen was in again and was so unfortunate not to get the goal she deserved, the ball passing the keeper, hitting one post, spinning agonisingly across the line and hitting the other post before being hooked clear. Over the next ten minutes, both teams created some half chances but both teams defended well to snuff out any real, clear cut chances. Towards the end of the half, Berkhamsted got a throw-in right next to the corner flag, the throw-in was intercepted but fell back to the opponent who saw her first time cross (she told us at full time it was a cross) sail over everyone and into the top corner. Not much anyone could do about it and on the balance of play, probably undeserved.
For the remaining time in the first half, the girls continued to press hard, tackle hard and create some good half chances - unfortunately most efforts lacked a little venom and were saved fairly comfortably.
At half time we told the girls to keep doing what they were doing. Yes, we were 1-0 down but we were still in this game and were playing really well.
The second half started much like the first half with both teams trying to make intricate passes and find willing runners. There were more half chances with Chloe, Zuzannah, Lola Rose, Thea, Jess and Eileen all getting into good positions and getting shots away. Then, two passes cut us open and saw Berkhamsted in on goal, the initial strike was saved well but the parry fell back to the striker who poked home to put them ⚽️⚽️ up. Now we were really up against it and it was a chance to see how the girls would react. The heads barely dropped and they continued to push hard and try to play the kind of football that’s seen us go unbeaten for the past 6 matches.
Some excellent driving runs down both flanks were creating problems and getting us back into the game. One of these runs saw the ball played into Chloe who thundered a shot towards goal stinging the keepers hands and probably (90% sure) crossing the line but it wasn’t given and the ball was then cleared. The girls continued to work hard and pushed to get back into the game. Whilst on an attack, Berkhamsted won the ball back, broke quickly and a great cross field, diagonal pass was struck into the net first time to put us
⚽️⚽️⚽️ down. A very good ball and an excellent finish. There was not much time left but the girls pressed on and still believed. We were awarded a penalty late on but unfortunately it clipped the bar and went over - tells the tale of how our day went.
Player of the match went to Thea, playing out of position on the left wing (another new position). Tenacious tackling, communicating and organising her team, mazy runs with excellent footwork and use of the ball, constant tracking back and covering - she did it all. Thea set the example for her team mates today and they all followed suit.
Full time ended in a defeat but the score line does not reflect how the match went and we even had the opposition manager telling us that had we taken our chances, we’d have won. On another day, the ball goes for us and we get the win but today just wasn’t our day.
A very good game against a very good side that play some very good football.
Although we lost, all the girls can be proud of themselves and the teams performance. The attitude and the effort from everyone was brilliant yet again and that’s all we can ask for.
Well done girls, we go again next week.
Potm
Thea 🏆
