U9 Turquoise 24/25 - GT United Youth
GOG U8T 💜🦩💜 The first game of the new year and we were away to GT United Youth this Saturday morning. The girls have been out of action over Xmas, but were all really happy to be back together and keen to get the game started.
The game got underway for the first quarter and the girls didn't disappoint. Both teams were really lively and were going at it. Alara did fantastically defending from the back cancelling out attacks, while Evie and Lala worked really well down both wings in attack, as well as tracking back and helping out in defence. Eden also did brilliantly by pressing from the front as our striker. Our efforts paid off well with Alara making an excellent run with the ball out from the back to play a through ball to Lala who bravely seized on a fifty fifty between her and a defender to capture our first goal. The girls continued to pile on the pressure with a great goal kick from our keeper Olive finding Lala in space who controlled the ball brilliantly and slotted our second goal. Alara and Evie did really well intercepting and stopping any GT attacks from progressing. After some great pressing from Eden forcing a GT player to make a pass which was intercepted by Lala and placed wonderfully into the bottom left corner for her hatrick and our third of the game.
The second quarter and the girls started again with great energy and enthusiasm. Ariana, Evie, Olive and Willow did really well to keep their shape. Every single ball was being fought for by both our girls and the opposition. There were not too many clear cut chances in this quarter as both teams were cancelling each other out. But it still made for a great watch. Unfortunately for us we got hit on the counter and GT got a deserved goal. GT almost had another great opportunity to score, but Evie made a fantastic effort to get back, block and shutdown the threat putting the ball out for a corner. The whistle blew with our girls going into the half way break ahead, but with the opposition still very much in the game.
The third quarter began with the girls putting a lot more pressure on the opposition with some really clear cut chances. If we were a bit more clinical, I'm sure there would have been more goals. Alara, Ariana, Eden and Olive really impressed with their efforts. Some great carrying with the ball from Eden only to see her shot just clip the post and out for a goal kick. The chances continued to present themselves with another great effort from Olive going just wide of the goal. The girls worked just as well getting back and defending as a team with minimal attacking efforts from the opposition occurring as a result.
The final quarter and the girls could sense that despite being two goals up, the next goal could make a big difference in the game. The girls effort levels went into another gear with some great footwork and a pass from Willow to Olive who put her shot wide of the goal. The girls could feel the momentum was really in their favour with Evie, Lala, Olive and Willow working relentlessly. The girls put some really good pressure on the opposition. Evie haggled and pressed for the ball and made a great effort on goal which just missed the target. Willow likewise capitalised on a great interception of a GT defenders pass, taking on the defender making a placed shot, which was read and saved by their goalkeeper. Olive also did her best and had many attempts on goal. GT United started to pile on the pressure making more efforts on our goal. Some vital saves were made by Alara. However a great take on and shot from GT United and they got their second of the game. We quickly shifted the girls back into different positions and they really had to dig in deep to prevent an equaliser. Ariana, Evie, Lala and Willow were making effort to close down the ball. Their efforts were nearly rewarded with a fourth goal from Lala, which again was denied by the woodwork.
A brilliant effort from all the girls today, with an equally matching performance and positive result. They can take a lot from this win with much more to come. A special shout out has to go to the ref today who was brilliant with some of the less experienced players on both teams, as well as being impartial and fair. GT United were also excellent hosts. Well done to Alara, Ariana, Eden, Evie, Lala, Olive and Willow.
Lala ⚽⚽⚽
Assists: Alara, Olive 🤝
Captain: Lala ©️
POTM 🏆 Lala
Opposition POTM 🏆Lala
