U16 JPL 24/25 - St Albans City Central

Today was the visit of last seasons Div 1 runners up St Albans City Central.  We decided a change of formation was needed to get our attacking players into dangerous areas. The team talk was set let’s find a shirt, if we lose the ball we win it back but more importantly if we do not shoot we will not score. Game underway and we was a little nervy but at the same time we was getting into the final third. We could see the away side game plan very quickly, everything would be played to their number 16 who I must say is rapid along with that she could play and it would be her that was instrumental in us conceding in the 8th and 12th minute. 2 down was not the start we wanted but I know my girls so well and they kept on. We made a couple of changes and Monica physicality was instant along with Ava who was encouraged to play a more attacking role in the middle we started to get a foot hold in the match.  11 mins later Lois on the left plays a short pass to Chloe who skins not 1 not 2 but 3 players running at speed cuts inside edge of box and with her weapon of a right foot lifts the ball high over the keeper into the far corner we was back in it. We was to have one more clear cut chance with the ball going across the face of goal Georgia coming in and would surely get us level for somehow the defender came across to clear the ball. HT 1-2

Team talk was passionate to say the least and the girls came out for second half pumped and from the off we was dominating play Ciara was really causing them havoc on the left Mia down the right and within 7 mins we was level with a superb tackle just outside the box from the tenacious Georgia who on the turn into the tackle played the ball back to Ciara who took a touch and fired her shot up and over the keeper. Girls were buzzing and again Chloe on the right side this half picked up a ball and again sprinted past two defenders leaving them in their wake firing a shot goalwards for the keeper to just get a good hand to it keeping them level. We was playing the best football so far this season the girls were really at it and with 10 mins to go the goal of the game for me. Lois received the ball at left back plays a ball into Ciara who was a real handful today she holds off a challenge and finds a lovely pass to Chloe who takes the ball into the left corner she then cuts back onto her right foot runs across the edge of the box letting rip again into far corner. 3-2 with 10 to go instruction was don’t get carried away focus focus and to be fair they did until 4 mins to go where the away side somehow managed to get another goal. Today we showed again that we can compete at this very tough level. Concentration for every minute is key and the girls are learning fast. Their improvement week on week both in training and on the pitch has been fantastic and it is only a matter of time before we get our first win.  FT 3-3 

POTM: 

Today every player gave their all and some but we felt that today with a new found maturity to her game and 2 top draw goals that would have BBC pundits drooling had to go to Chloe King. 

POTMonth 

This month with really strong consistent performances, playing every minute and since becoming one of our captains Ava has really stepped up in all areas of her game. 

Chloe ⚽️⚽️

Ciara  ⚽️

POTM 🏆

POTMonth 🏆