U13 v Northgate Feb 2006

U13 Girls Football

Wednesday 8^th Feb 2006

Neatherd V Northgate

The first game of the New Year for the U13’s saw them take on local rivals Northgate. The U16’s only last week had beaten Northgate 2-1, so it was up to the lower school girls to heap more misery on the local rivals!! And they did not disappointment.

The preparation didn’t go smoothly, Carrie-Ane was injured in a freak accident with a Hockey stick and Sian had a hair appointment! On top of that Faye was ill and not in school…the team was down to only 10 players! Fortunately Faye demonstrated great commitment to the team, and came into school, so we started with 11 players! The game eventually got under way soon after 3pm. A little late, but not to worry.

A scrappy start to the game saw many midfield battles, but no real constructive play. Hannah (playing left wing) cleverly beat two players (Both much bigger than her!) and put in a great cross. Charlotte controlled expertly, and then her strong shot went just over the bar!

Neatherd went 1-0 down, the ball broke lose to a Northgate player, who ran on and shot low into the corner, leaving Zoe in her new gloves with no chance. Overall the defense was playing well Emily, Chelsea and Colette all playing well.  Also at the back Aimme who was winning some important challenges, and playing really well. Neatherd got back into the game when Juliette intercepted a goal kick and ran past two players to cooly finish low into the corner. Laura, Nicole, Hannah and Juliette were winning the midfield battle, and a clever touch from Faye sent Julieete clear who finished really well into the far corner. Half-time Neatherd 2-1 Northgate.

Half-time was time to re-group, time for Hannah to rest her bruised ankle and time for Faye to take a turn in goal. Coach stressed the danger of Northgate grabbing a goal or two if we lost our focus. With just a couple of minutes gone, a long range effort gave Northgate the equalising goal! So much for the half time talk!  The game became very open with Neatherd having the better of the play, a superb run from Zoe that took her from her own penalty box, past four players into the opposition box, and ending with a great cross. Juliette and Laura were also making good runs, and linking up well with Charlotte.  With 15mins to go, Juliette made a great run down the left, beating 3 or 4 players, and her excellent cross was controlled by Hannah and finished well into the bottom corner with her right foot! Neatherd were leading 3-2. That is the way the game ended due to some more excellent defending.

The team benifitted from staying in the same positions for the entire game, no subs gave the team a good shape, and everyone worked really hard for a well deserved win. Well Done. Special thanks to Faye for coming into school to play, and also to Zoe, Hannah and Faye for going in goal.

Neatherd 3 – 2 Northgate

Scorers; Juliette 2, Hannah

Player of Match;

Hannah Lockwood, for great crossing, a good goal and a clean sheet in goal!