U9 Turquoise 24/25 - GT United

GOG U8T 💜🦩💜 This Saturday, we were away to GT United. The last time we played them there was only a one goal difference, so we knew we were in for a good game and we would have to be on our toes.

First quarter we started with Olive (keeper) Evie, Willow, Lala and Ariana. The game was evenly fought and GT United were playing some good football. Our first attack got broken down and GT had a one on one situation, but Evie did brilliantly putting in a solid challenge to win back the ball and recycled it out to Willow. We broke down the left but GT cancelled out the attack with some good defending. The girls had to dig in deep at times, but also gave GT a run for their money when we were in attack. Evie then won the ball at the back, going on a great run down the right channel and making a good attempt to put in a cross, which GT put out for a corner. Willow took the corner playing it in the box for Lala, but it was retrieved quickly by the keeper before the shot could be fired off. Both teams played some good football, but didn't create much in terms of chances on goal as they were cancelling each other out.

Second quarter we had Ariana (keeper) Evie, Olive, Nina and Eden. We started this quarter on the back foot with GT putting the pressure on. We relieved some pressure with Olive making a great run down the left playing the ball into Eden, but the ball was won back by the GT players who got back in numbers. Some quick play forward from GT caught us off guard and we conceded the first goal of the game. Shortly after the restart GT put more pressure on us, putting another shot on goal just wide. The goal kick was taken, but mis-hit straight into the path of a GT player who scored their second of the match. Ariana followed up with a few vital blocks and saves to prevent GT taking more of a lead. Half way through the quarter and we had some work to do to get back into this game. Evie who always seems to excel in these tough games injected some much needed energy winning the ball back and trying to progress the ball forward for her team mates. This galvanised our girls who were on the front foot much more in this half of the quarter. Nina who won the ball back, progressing the ball forward made a good effort on goal but it was saved and deflected out by the keeper. The passing between Olive, Eden, Evie and Nina was starting to build up well. The girls kept probing away at GT keeping them in their own half. GT then tried to break out of their box, this was chased down by Olive and then Nina put in a strong challenge to win the ball back just shy of the half way line. Nina then got her head up and played a fantastic ball forward between the GT defensive line 🤝 which found Eden who made light work of smashing the ball into the back of the net ⚽ for our first goal. Just before the end Nina almost turned provider again, playing the ball forward to Eden, but she just ran out of space and time.

Third quarter we had Nina (keeper) Olive, Lala, Willow and Eden. The game was anyone's for the taking and the next goal would surely dictate the final result. Both teams were really going for it in attack and defence. Willow and Lala showed great energy in trying to progress the ball foward for Eden and equally trying to get back and help Olive in defence. There were a few times that GT nearly broke on us, but Olive did brilliantly to win the ball back and put in some well timed clearances. Lala then progressed the ball forward playing it to Eden, but the GT keeper made a good save. Willow then made a driving run down the left and into the GT box playing a great cross into the danger area 🤝 which couldn't be converted, but found its way out to the right. The loose ball was picked up by Lala, who cut into the box from the right, beating one defender and made a fantastic shot with her left foot, which went through the legs of another GT defender and the goalkeeper ⚽ for our second goal of the match. This proved to be the last quick of the quarter giving us the vital equaliser.

Final quarter we had Lala (Keeper) Olive, Evie, Willow and Eden. It was all to play for with both teams trying to go for the win. Olive who put in a good performance in defence in the last quarter continued where she left off timing her blocks, interceptions and clearances to perfection. Evie, Willow and Eden did well with tracking back we needed numbers to defend as GT were still proving dangerous in attack. We dealt with most of the attacking threat thrown our way. However, GT got through on the right and a well placed shot forced a brilliant save from Lala with her knee putting the ball out for a corner. The corner was defended well and we broke up the other end with Willow finding Evie who made a strong shot towards goal, which was saved by the GT keeper and put out for a corner. At this half way point we subbed on Ariana and Nina. We then had another chance with a shot outside the GT box from Nina being kicked out for a throw in. Both teams continued to attack for the winner. But Olive continued to defend very well, with Ariana, Nina and Eden working hard to win the ball back in the middle of the pitch.

A draw was a fair result in the end and the girls did fantastically to come back from two goals down. Both GT coaching staff and the referee were top class today. Both Coach Stephen and Coach Dan have identified some areas where we can make improvements and work with the team in training. We will continue to work and develop with this amazing group of girls. Well played Ariana, Eden, Evie, Lala, Nina, Olive and Willow.👏🏻👏🏾

POTM went to Olive today. She worked really hard when played in midfield, but it was her efforts in defence, a position she hadn't had much playing experience in that was really outstanding today. Her timing of interceptions and reading of the game from defence was extremely impressive. She made a lot of vital challenges to prevent opposition attacks and looked really comfortable on the ball throughout the entire game. Being the youngest on our team, she has shown great character and the improvements in her game were clear for everyone to see. Well done Olive 🏆

The opposition POTM was voted by the GT United players who picked Ariana when asked to pick a shirt number. Ariana made some vital saves in goal when it was really needed during a crucial part of the game. She also put in some good sliding tackles and challenges and proved a really tough physical presence for the opposition today. Well done Ariana 🏆

Eden ⚽

Lala ⚽

Assists: Nina x1 Willow x1 🤝

Captain: Willow ©️

POTM 🏆 Olive

Opposition POTM 🏆 Ariana