Under 13s Reports Archive (November)

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Under 13s v. Crawley Wasps  (Result 2-6 ) Cup - 07/11/04

 

Sadly, we drew the league’s strongest team in the first round of the cup and, to make matters worse, our two most effective players from the league game against Wasps were missing. This meant that, once again, we were playing with just 10 players which obviously reduced our chances of winning.

 

We must have surprised the Wasps to be only  1–0 down at half time as they are an extremely able team with a lot of confidence in their own ability.  My sources tell me that we had played well enough but have put in better performances this season.

 

Five minutes of madness in the second half ruined our chances of a result though as Crawley carved their way through us at will.  Before we knew what was going on we were 5-0 down. Our team spirit is good though and we never let our heads drop. This shows that, just like Crawley, we are beginning to believe in ourselves as both individuals and also as a team.

 

I have been told that our best football was actually played in the second half. This didn’t stop us from going 6-0 down though. However, we were getting stronger and stronger and before the end Chloe and Kirsty scored a goal each to make the result look more respectable.

 

 

Note to the girls—

 

Crawley have only twice scored less than 7 goals so far this season. The first time was when we drew at home with them in a game that we could easily have won. The second time was in this game. We may have only had 10 players but we made them fight harder for the result than others have managed. Remember that and you will realise that this league is still open

Under 13s v. Worthing Town  (Result 6-1 ) League - 14/11/04

 

This was one of the best games we have played this season. Not because of the score but because of the excellent spirit it was played in by both teams. Worthing Town must be congratulated for the tremendous improvements they are making in this their first season back in the league. The score didn’t really reflect the possession but just showed that with a bit of experience comes more clinical finishing and team awareness.

 

With Jane still on holiday and Megan injured we were again reduced to 10 players and it took us some time to settle into the game with the ball going from one end to the other and back again. It wasn’t until the 12th minute that Chloe found herself clear in the penalty area and she coolly slid the ball past the Town keeper. It then took another 8 minutes of even play before Jess’s drop kick landed in Town’s half.  Chloe ran onto the ball, beat a couple of defenders and shot past the advancing keeper for her second.  Two minutes later we had a corner which Town tried several times to clear but in the end the ball broke to Chloe who sneaked in at the far post for probably her easiest goal of the game.  This was her hat-trick goal and brought her level with Kirsty on eight goals for the season. Another two minutes later though and Kirsty stepped up to get her first of the game and ninth of the season to once again become the clubs leading scorer this season.

 

As the half drew to an end, Town started to get back into the game, their two tricky forwards were exploiting our one player disadvantage. They had a number of well worked corners although we managed to get each one back out of the penalty area. No further goals were added and at half-time it was 4—0.

 

The second half was a lot more even. Both teams struggled to get the ball into dangerous positions and when Town scored in the 17th minute it came as no real surprise. They deserved to get a goal back because of their endeavour.

 

Both sides continued to press in an effort to increase their goal tally, Chloe scoring her fourth and our fifth following a corner, firing in from the edge of the box after the Worthing Town defence failed to clear.  The last goal of the game came in the final minute when Holly evaded several tackles before being tripped in the box; she tried to continue her run but Dave, who refereed superbly throughout, had already blown for a penalty.  Holly took the spot kick but her shot was well saved by Town's goalkeeper.  However, she was several metres off her line when the kick was taken and a retake was ordered.  This time Holly scored but several players had encroached into the penalty area before the kick had been taken.  A second retake ensued, Holly this time blasting in the ball emphatically to seal a 6:1 victory.  Both sides deserved credit for showing excellent sportsmanship throughout in what was a thoroughly enjoyable match.