Girls U14's - Sutton Coldfield
Amazingly, despite all the rain, the U13 girls game against Sutton Coldfield went ahead, the slope on the pitch being more of an issue than any waterlogging!
After a run of several disappointing results the girls finally got their season back up and running, but as usual didn’t make it easy for themselves!
The girls have been starting slowly in games, allowing too much time and space for the opposition and ultimately finding themselves a goal or two behind before they even start to play. We spoke about this before the game and asked them to start fast, closing down and getting stuck in…what do you know that didn’t happen and we found ourselves 1-0 down after 90 seconds.
Worse still, it was 2-0 five minutes later, the girls looking quite dumbstruck.
With the recent run of form, it would have been easy for the girls to fold, but full credit to them, after a little tactical change in some positions, they rolled their sleeves up and decided to get things sorted.
Gradually they started to pass the ball around like we know they can and getting some shots at goal whilst not allowing Sutton anything themselves. Finally 5 minutes before half time, Ada struck a shot from about 20 yards that was in the net before the goalkeeper even dived.
2-1 down at half time and we simply asked the girls to put 100% effort in and work and support each other and the chances would come.
Second half we were controlling in the main without causing too much threat, until another Ada strike from a similar distance flew in for a deserved equaliser. Despite continuing to dominate,Sutton did break away and hit the post, but we soon took the lead when a corner was put into their own net by a Sutton defender under pressure from Daisy.
The girls then continued to defend well all over the pitch and even had another couple of opportunities they could not convert.
Final whistle went for a 3-2 victory, real hard work to achieve and still a level below we know how good they can be, but the smiles this week from them was great to see.
They need to take this into the rest of the games this season, they know that if they are not putting the effort in, any team will take advantage. Recent results have unfortunately meant we have slipped away from any title challenge but we still have lots of games to play to remind everyone how good they are when they are working as a team and listening.
Girl of the Game - Macy. Comments of outstanding and best she has ever played were used, moving her to a central defence position (that she has never played before) after going behind she didn’t let anything or anyone past her!
Parents Player - Ada. Not just for the 2 goals but for her determination throughout in fighting for the ball and leading by example to the others in what is expected in effort.
