U15 Turquoise 24/25 - Hitchin Belles
We welcomed Hitchin Belles to Churchgate on Saturday. A team we hadn’t yet played this season. We’d also had two weeks without a game due to the weather.
A fascinating contest ensued between two really evenly matched teams. The first half ended 0-0 with both teams having chances and playing some good football. Hitchin were strong at the back and hard to break down and probably shaded the chances in the first half, but Eva our GK thwarted them with a string of saves. Our midfield and defence really stood up though and competed for absolutely everything.
The second half was much of the same but became a bit more open and end to end. Hitchin snatched a 1-0 lead from a free kick and then sneaked a second after a great save by Eva unfortunately fell to their striker.
We started to look a bit leggy so we made the necessary changes and the girls went for it again. After a string of corners our pressure finally paid off with Bryony smashing one in from about 10 yards to spark wild scenes on the sidelines. We pushed hard and even ended the game with minimal numbers at the back trying to chase the equalizer. Unfortunately we just couldn’t quite get the goal we thoroughly deserved - very much de ja vu from our last outing.
I was so proud of the team again this week and every single girl contributed. This was probably our best collective performance of the season and shows the progression we are making. Also for a number of the girls this was their best individual performance too. They played as a TEAM today and their attitude and maturity really shine through.
There were some excellent performances, notably Eva in goal, Austeja on debut, our Captain Bryony leading by example again, Meg didn’t lose a tackle a game at right back and Macie absolutely stamping her authority on the midfield (even setting the tone in the first minute with a crunching tackle na clearance). But just shading it for POTM was our central midfielder Tilly. An all action performance and she just kept driving and pushing the team forward. Also showed a great attitude and level of maturity and is becoming one of the leaders in the group.
That first allusive point is definitely getting closer and we go again on Saturday.
GOFFS on 3….1,2,3….GOFFS!
