Under 14s Reports Archive (September)

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Under 14s v. Denton & South Heighton (Result 2-4) League - 11/09/04

 

With 2 girls still abroad, 1 out for the day, one called up by the Centre of Excellence, and only 9 remaining players, this was not really the way we wanted to start the season. As our first choice goalie was unavailable, Katie B bravely stepped in to take her place. I am not sure she was looking forward to it, but on the day she did a good job and pulled off a couple of fine saves. In order to protect Katie, I wanted to field a strong defence but did not want us to play negative football. To achieve this with a minimum of players, I decided on Steph, Rachel, and Poppy as a back line. I was confident that we would have reasonable speed should the opposition catch us on the break, but also knew that these three would be keen to push up whenever possible . Rachel had an outstanding game and showed how well timed challenges and accurate distribution from the back can really help a team to command a match. Poppy and Steph both played intelligent games, giving us width and pressure when attacking, whilst winning most of the challenges in their defensive roles. So how did the game pan out? Both teams took a few minutes to settle, but Denton had the first real break and put themselves ahead after just 4 minutes. Our depleted team were not about to roll over and came straight back within 2 minutes. A good feed from Susan in midfield found Katie T up front and her cross was placed just where Amy P needed it to slot home a left footed equaliser. For the rest of the first half, we continued to play organised and skilful football, having the majority of the possession, and making Denton play most of the game in their own half. With just 30 seconds until half time, I felt Rachel was slightly unlucky to have conceded a free kick when a ball with heavy back spin bounced up and hit her hand. Denton's set piece hit the wall and was deflected just beyond our keeper's reach into the corner of the net to give them a 2-1 lead at the break.

 

The girls knew they were doing well and came out in the same fighting style. It was hard to tell that we were 2 girls short. Our midfield worked hard to win balls and stop Denton from settling. This seemed to be working well as almost all Denton's attacks were on the break, with their forwards chasing balls that had hurriedly been cleared from defence. Susan and Hannah did exactly as I asked in supporting the full backs on their overlapping runs, and closing Denton down the moment they won the ball.

Susan herself was pushing up well at times and got some great crosses into the box. I considered us a little unlucky to have missed a few chances as Ellie and Katie T never once gave up trying. Denton's biggest asset was their ability to time their challenges on the edge of the box. Several times the aforementioned strikers had the ball whipped from their feet as they were about to pull the trigger. Amy P in the centre of midfield worked well with Katie and Ellie in holding the ball up and buying us a bit of time. With a slight wind behind us this half, Rachel, Steph, Poppy and Susan all had long range attempts, although these were either saved or put just wide of the goal. We were starting to wonder just what we had to do when, 19 minutes into the second half Katie T yet again found Amy P, who equalised for the second time in the match. In hindsight, perhaps we should have brought more players back and settled for the draw, but the girls sensed a chance of victory and went for the win. In a nail biting last 5 minutes, both teams stepped up the pace. To add to the drama we were denied a late penalty when Katie T was through on goal and looked almost certain to score. Just as she passed the last defender her arm was grabbed from behind and she stumbled to the ground. I am not blaming the ref here, who otherwise had a good game, as his view was completely shielded by a pack of Denton players. I am sure he was completely unaware of the incident and must have assumed Katie had tripped. As Denton brought on another sub to give them fresh legs, ours were tiring and another Denton break from the back saw a moment of hesitation from our defence. Although we caught up with the runner, we were unable to pluck the ball from her feet and she put Denton ahead once more, completely against the run of play. Still we soldiered on but, to add insult to injury, yet another long clearance from Denton saw the ball bounce unkindly in the box. It sailed just inches over our keeper's outstretched arms, only to be headed in by the smallest player on the pitch who had shrewdly followed through with her run on goal. We were commended on a great performance by both the ref and the Denton Manager. The scoreline certainly did not do justice to a nine girl team who played almost faultlessly for the whole 60 minutes. Not one player had a bad game and, if this is a sign of things to come, we should be in for an entertaining season.

 

Today's player of the match award goes to Rachel for an outstandingly polished performance. She mopped up almost everything that came at us, teaming solidly with both Poppy and Steph at the back, yet still finding time to push up and distribute some great balls to her team mates. Her confident performance allowed us to push well up the field and put Denton under pressure despite our depleted numbers. Having said that, this was a real team effort and all nine players can be proud of their performance. If I was pressed to find any faults today, I would make just two points.

Firstly, we need to anticipate more accurately where a high ball is going to land and be in the right place to win it. Secondly, when we have won a ball, we need to make sure our next pass is accurate as we sometimes wasted our hard work by giving the ball away too soon. Today this may well have been due to our depleted numbers, but we need to keep an eye on it.

Under 14s v. East Grinstead (Result 3-9) League - 18/09/04

 

Last season's home record against East Grinstead was exceptional for us, as we managed to beat them once in the cup and once in the league. Admittedly, they fielded less than full strength squads on both occasions. The away record was far less convincing as we lost heavily, that time fielding an under strength squad ourselves. This season's home fixture was never going to be easy as, once again, we found ourselves without our first choice keeper due to Centre of Excellence commitments. However, with a squad of ten players, at least we were better off than last week. On the  plus side we had the benefit of a smallish pitch but, on the negative side, we had a reserve keeper having to defend a full size goal rather than the junior sized ones she was used to.

 

At first the signs were very encouraging, with East Grinstead failing to settle and our girls putting them under pressure for a full ten minutes before our opponents managed a shot. During this period we had a couple of half chances, from which Katie T was unlucky not to put us ahead. On 12 minutes we failed to shut our opponents down and Grinstead broke down the right, giving us the first reminder of how much speed some of their players possessed. A well placed shot gave Katie B no chance and they were one ahead. Minutes later, Katie T was fouled as she took another run towards goal and Rachel lined up the resulting free kick. From a full 25 yards out she launched a Beckham style assault which sailed over the wall and into the top left corner to put us level at 1-1. Sheer class! We battled on but Grinstead were starting to find our weaknesses and exploit our lesser numbers. An unfortunate defensive mix up left no player available to chase a Grinstead break and very soon we were 2-1 down. Although it looked as though our opponents would triumph at the end of the day, I thought at this stage that we might be able to contain the score and not suffer a similar onslaught to the one we endured last time we met. But Grinstead had other ideas and added 2 more goals in the last five minutes of the first half to give them a 4-1 lead at the break.

 

The second half saw more of the same. Within 10 minutes of the restart we had conceded 2 further goals, with almost every chance coming on the break.

It was obvious that we sorely missing several of our key defenders, although with most of our girls keen to attack, we had our fair share of possession. The problems seemed to come from us giving away balls too cheaply in the centre of the park and not being able to match the Grinstead girls for speed. Our marking was also a little sloppy at times today. With

6 goals against us and only 1 in our favour, it would have been easy to give up, but I must give credit to most of our players who continued to battle on regardless. My request from the touchline to get more balls into the corner and use some width immediately paid dividends when Susan and Poppy combined well down the right wing and delivered a fine cross for Katie T to slot nicely past the Grinstead keeper. Grinstead replied with 2 further goals to bring the scoreline to 2-8 and then Katie T broke with a well timed run straight on goal. The ball was slightly too far ahead of her and an opposing defender blasted her clearance straight at the oncoming Katie. Although severely winded, Katie had the presence of mind to keep running forward and was rewarded by seeing the ball bounce off her with just enough speed to carry it over the line (3-8). At this stage I was willing us not to concede any more, as Grinstead had scored 9 against us in the away fixture last year, and 9 against their opponents last week.

Regrettably, this was not to be, and the Grinstead girls got their 9th with just 30 seconds to go.

 

What can we learn from today? We could have played this match by packing the back out with makeshift defenders, and perhaps we might not have ended up as far adrift, but I am sure that this would have resulted in a far less entertaining match. Most of our girls worked their socks off today, although a couple did not quite give their usual commitment. I believe we should have used the wings far more and tried to cross from the corners, rather than cutting in too early and constantly coming up against the two effective central defenders. I think we should also have been more aware that the opposing keeper was often way off her line. Long range balls over the defenders would almost certainly have worked. We also need to shut down our opponents far earlier. Just giving them a yard or two of space, or a second extra to think, allowed them to fire long balls up field where we struggled to match the pace of their attackers. One other point we can take from this game is the importance of movement off the ball in order to assist our team mates. We didn't play nearly as well as last week and a big difference was the lack of passing opportunities in midfield after we had won the ball, or gained extra ground. Often we would work quite hard to beat players, or win tackles, only to find that nobody was in a suitable position to receive the next pass. This led to us giving far too many balls away too easily, and putting ourselves back under pressure for no good reason. My thanks go to Katie B who played another brave game as reserve goalie and made few mistakes. I don't think Amy could have done much to lessen the Grinstead goal tally had she been available. Many of their goals were extremely well taken. Other notable performances were, firstly, from Hannah, who had a good game in the defensive midfield role, and pushed up only when appropriate (even coming close to scoring at one point).

 

Secondly, Steph had another good game from both a defensive and offensive perspective. She cut out many of the Grinstead moves well up the field, and could have created far more attacking chances had some of her team mates been there to provide more support. The 'player of the match' award this week is shared equally between our two goal scorers. Katie T showed good ball control and positioning, whilst never giving up, and working extremely hard both on and off the ball. Rachel's goal was a stunner, but even more impressive was her defensive performance and work rate. I know she does not enjoy playing in the middle of defence but we would have really struggled had she not been there today.

Under 14s v. Eastbourne Borough (Result 2-7) League - 26/09/04

 

The ups and downs of the early season were still with us as we made the journey across Sussex to Eastbourne. On the positive side, we had our first choice goalkeeper available for the first time this season but, on the negative side, we found ourselves with just 9 players and missing Rachel and Susan in midfield. Eastbourne always give us a good welcome and, in an amazingly generous gesture, offered to play one short to try and even up the game a little. I would personally like to thank Colin and his girls for showing such sportsmanship, and was pleased that our girls gave a spontaneous round of applause when they heard the news. We started against the wind, which did not help our chances, and within 1 minute were 1-0 down. Amy pulled off a couple of fine saves before Eastbourne again found the net on 8 minutes with a long range shot from the right. Four minutes later there was a goalmouth scramble and we failed to clear, only to see Eastbourne's third goal cross the line. Eastbourne were starting to settle well and used their superior numbers, and the blustery wind, to keep us well in our own half. We did not seem to be getting behind the ball, and our marking was a little sloppy. This allowed Eastbourne to beat us on pace, even though some of our players were equal to them in terms of speed.

On 25 minutes, another goalmouth scramble saw us put in a ball off our own defender. Then in the last 10 minutes of the first half we seemed to come alive. Not the best time to start playing well, but at least we didn't let ourselves become completely demoralised. We started to string a few passes together and found that we were able to reverse the pressure. Good work by Steph and Poppy (who both worked hard all match), saw a nice ball laid through to Ellie. Although her shot lacked power, she took it at the right time and beat the Eastbourne keeper to give us our first goal. It was a shame that we conceded a corner just before half time which Eastbourne took very well, slotting in the crossed ball to give them a 5-1 lead at the break.

 

The second period looked a little more even as we started to play better football. Just trying a little harder, and going for every 50/50 ball, improved our game noticeably. The wind behind us also helped a bit too, although we wasted a few corners that should have been aimed to the back of the box, allowing the wind to carry them in. Seeing this, Steph stepped up to take the next one and put in a lovely ball which Amy P controlled and fired into the Eastbourne goalmouth (5-2). Then, for the third match in succession, we had a penalty claim denied. The Eastbourne player, who handled our cross from the corner, openly admitted her offence but, if the ref doesn't see it, you don't get it. Shortly afterwards, Eastbourne made it 6-2 and then, five minutes from the end, took a lovely volley from a corner to end the game with a 7-2 win. We had an inadequate number of true defenders and a much weakened midfield, and the gaps unfortunately showed. Ironically, we conceded the last few goals during our best spell of play.

 

Every player put in a reasonable performance but we did not quite gel as a team. Ellie worked hard in the last 20 minutes of the match, and Katie T ran her socks off for the whole game but was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet. Amy C had quite a good game in goal, despite what the scoreline might suggest. There were some good individual showings from most of our players but we could not slot it all together on the day. For this reason, I am not awarding a 'Player of the Match' award this week as no individual was that much better than the rest. Eastbourne look greatly improved from last season and won because of their superior teamwork. They were moving for each other, and getting past us with simple but well executed triangular one-two's and wall passes. All basic stuff but very well done.

We look forward to meeting them at home in the Cup soon when, hopefully we will have a full team available.