On a bitterly cold afternoon the Neatherd team left just after the bell and set off to Earlham, kindly driven by Miss Hull. The team was let down by a number of players in the lead up to the game, and also on the day. But fortunately some super Year 7's filled in the gaps left by the un-reliable Year 9's!
After a quick warm-up and some moving of the goals into place, we were off. Hannah started in goal, but never touched the ball in the 10mins she was between the posts! We started defending well; Sian, Sophie, Leah and Juliette were letting nothing through.
The young Year 7 midfield did well, Paige and Danni were winning lots of challenges, Lucy and Rachel were passing the ball well, things were looking good! Juliette had a great run from defence and won a corner. She took it and hit the post! From the resulting 'goal mouth scramble' we had two great efforts, which were both well saved by their keeper. Paige had another shot that hit the post, Charlotte was passing well with Rianna, who had a good shot well saved. The ball broke to Lucy who volleyed a great shot, which went just wide. We just couldn't score! Rachel was playing well in goal, calling for the ball and dominating the area
Half time came and went, Earlham started to look more dangerous, but we started had shots on goal, Hannah had a shot that was pushed wide, as did the threatening Rianna. By this time Lucy had taken over from her twin in goal. Lucy went up to punch away a long ball from Earlham, although she jumped and stretched, still their centre forward was taller!! She won a header, but Juliette was on the goal line to had time to juggle the ball before clearing the ball form the danger.
Hannah took a throw in to Rianna, who turned and shot but the shot was saved. Rianna had another shot that was pushed out by the keeper. Lucy still in goal made the save of the match, a shot was drilled in, but Lucy calmly plucked the ball out of the air. Although we had threatening cormers and spell, we couldn't score, and the game ended 0-0.
This was a fantaatic preformance from a young team, brilliant effort from all, the Year 7's certainly didn't play like they were two years too young....far from it! The year 7's are playing better than the Year 9's they have replaced, and will definitely play a part in the last league match of the season after half term. Well Done to the Year 9's and Hannah for helping and encouraging the younger pupils, a great team effort...we were unlucky not to win.
