Girls U13's Match against Sevenoaks

The game last Sunday was one that was played in an atmosphere that we haven't played in before which unfortunately took the gloss of what was a really good performance by the team. We were easily equal to Sevenoaks and had them on a number of occasions scrambling out of their D.

They packed their defence when we were attacking that made it difficult for us to break through. We need to utilise our speed a bit better so when we are on the break we are sometimes more direct in our play going towards the D rather than hugging the sidelines. It's brilliant to see and some great skill was shown, but it gave them on occasions the chance to regroup in the middle. We also need to appreciate the players that are in good positions earlier and pass the ball quicker rather than going into another tackle.

That side i couldn't be prouder of the girls they are growing into a real team and they are confident in themselves to be calling for the ball from each other. There is a real togetherness between them it's fantastic to see.

The game started with Sevenoaks being on the front foot applying early pressure which we were able to repel then after around ten minutes we started to grow into the game with some some intelligent moving of the ball and getting out to the wingers on both sides to cause them concerns in their defence. At around the 15 minute marker TW were awarded a short corner. Recent short corner practices appeared to provide a suitable result with Emily's pushing out to Lauren who stopped it and hit with great accuracy into the left corner of the goal. 1-0 !!!! However, the decision was reversed after the home team remonstrated with the umpire claiming the ball did not go outside the D. The goal was chalked off.

The rest of the first half had both teams trying to get the breakthrough, but both goalkeepers repelled what was fired at them or the defences were able to get the ball away.

The second half started with Sevenoaks starting again that little bit stronger and from their early dominance they were able to take the lead. Five minutes later the ball coming down the right came across into the D, but was not dealt with well by our defence giving the ball away and the pass to an unmarked player on the left meant we fell behind further. This galvanised the team with extra spirit and on a number of occasions breaks were causing them concerns. It was at this time that the game started to get a little tetchy with a considerable number of stick tackles coming in from the opposition stopping our passages of play. We were finally able to get a break through after a short corner was awarded. This time the shot by Lauren was drilled into the left bottom corner and this time it stood. 2-1 back in it!! We kept pressing for an equaliser and with a defence holding firm with solid performances by Lilia, Claudia, Lucy and Bruna it looked like that chance might come our way, but an errant pass when we were attacking gave them a chance to break away and score well taking advantage of the gaps created when we moved forward. As always we never gave up with Safi and Elena having good shots saved by their very good goalkeeper when trying to pull it back.

So it wasn't to be, we need to learn from games like these that the little lapses can cost us, but equally we are a team that are a real handful and as we saw in our last game when we tick we are dangerous. Well done girls.