U11 Turquoise 24/25 - Broxbourne

This Saturday saw a chilly 10am kick off at St Mary’s against a decent Broxbourne side. 

From the moment our girls turned up you could see they were in the mood and it led to an excellent performance and a really good game.

In the first half Broxbourne started quite fast and hit the bar with a long range effort. Our defenders, backed up by the midfielders and even the forwards did such a good job that Broxbourne were restricted to and resorted to long range efforts and there was nothing too concerning for our keeper. Our defence and team coped so well with the Broxbourne threat that the biggest compliment we can give our keeper today was that her distribution was excellent - genuinely can’t think of a single misplaced pass or kick. 

When she was called upon she did well, her handling was clean but I can only think of 3-4 relatively comfortable saves that she had to make.

We settled into the game and began to string passes together but were unable to find that killer final pass - but the intentions were there to see. 

The girls displayed many of the things that we’ve been working on in training over the past few weeks and it was really heartening to see. 

The fight and determination was even sent throughout and everyone could sense that we had a real good chance to win this game.

Going into half time, it was quite evenly matched with both teams putting together decent passing moves but nothing coming of them.

At half time, the girls were told to keep doing what they were doing - keep getting your heads up and looking for the pass, keep moving and finding space, keep backing one another up.

Into the second we had Broxbourne on the back foot immediately. A run down the wing and a ball cut back to the edge of the box saw a first time effort destined for the top bin somehow clawed out of the air by the Broxbourne keeper. A series of well taken corners followed but we were unable to capitalise. 

Another opportunity after harrying and winning the ball back in midfield, a decent hit from 25yrds out had their keeper scurrying across the goal to make another good save. 

We created one or two more chances in the first few minutes of the second half but their keeper kept them in it. Still, it felt like a matter of time before we got the lead.. And then, as these things happen in football, Broxbourne travelled well up the pitch, made the right passes at the right time resulting in their striker scoring a very well taken goal. The defenders and keeper were unlucky, didn’t really do anything wrong - it was just a good goal and good finish.

Was a little anxious to see how the girls would react to this but we needn’t have been because they bounced back straight away and got straight back to it. Pressuring, chasing, hunting the ball down, winning it back and playing some really excellent football. We created a couple half chances but now Broxbourne were panicked and sitting a little deeper to try protect their lead. This gave us the chance to run the midfield and it lead to us hitting the woodwork twice and then ultimately the equaliser. The ball was won back in midfield and we broke so quickly. A superb pass was sprayed out wide to the right winger who then drove down the line and in towards the box. Her head up, cut the ball back and picked out the striker who drilled it first time into the bottom corner - a really classy finish! By the way, this is the same player who had won the ball back, sprayed the pass wide and then got on her bike to make it to the area.

With ten minutes to go, we felt they were there for the taking - and they knew it too. We peppered their goal and had them under massive pressure but were unable to seal the win thanks largely to their keeper who had a worldie game! 

POTM could have gone to any of the girls today but went to Lola and Lola R.

Lola - defensive position, covering, well timed and crucial tackles are all aspects of your game that we’ve come to expect from you because you operate at such a good level. What impressed us most today though was your willingness to take the ball, remain calm, get your head up and pick a pass or drive past the opposition into space and then make the pass. In the very last minute, you went past three players down the wing, laid the ball off to the forward and then backed up and offered support. Love to see that kind of bravery on the ball.

Lola R - non stop running, non stop battling, all action wing play is very quickly becoming your trademark. Your work rate and desire to get the ball back for your team is exemplary and inspires your teammates to follow suit. You created some excellent, big chances for the team and the Broxbourne defenders were petrified of the treat you possessed. 

The assist for the goal was fantastic, classic wing play and was excellent to watch - more of that please.

Special mention to Nylah not only for her excellently taken goal but the industrious work put into winning the ball back with her constant battling. She really doesn’t know when to give up on a ball and it’s invaluable.

Was an absolute pleasure to be a part of and watch this performance today even though we didn’t get the win. 

Very proud of all of the girls and they should be proud of themselves too.

On to the next

POTM

Lola 🏆

Lola-Rose 🏆

Nylah ⚽️