The U12 girls were handed a stern test in their first match of the 2021/22 season. The Colls were away to an experienced Tingley side which provided an entertaining, physical, end to end game where the blues chalked up their first win of the campaign.
The girls spent most of the first half adapting the new format of a bigger pitch, 2 × 30mins half’s rather than quarters and the dreaded offside rule. The girls started brightly, building up possession in the first 10 minutes, passing the ball well with chances for Captain Anna, Katie and Jess. Against the run of play Tingley broke away down the right and scored a fine goal to go 1-0 up. A big wake up call to the Colls. The girls dug in the rest of the half as Tingley enjoyed some good spells playing attacking football. The Blues keeper Lexi made some fantastic saves along with the resolute defence of Olive, Liv P and Emme who all battled hard to break up play and keep Tingley at bay. The blues were rewarded with good work from the midfield of Jessie, Teegan C and Jess took some pressure off the defence. Neat play from Teegan C and Katie resulted in Anna through on goal and she smashed it in to give the Colls a well deserved equaliser into the break.
The second half saw 4 changes for the blues with Amashi, Teegan S, Harriet and our brand new Coll Bella in her first ever match coming on. Bella wasted no time getting stuck in on the right hand side tackling and driving with the ball. The blues having regrouped & a good team talk really started turning on the style dominating the first 15 minutes with excellent football. Harriet & Lexi trying new roles in midfield battled well and their hard work paid off when Harriet played Anna in for her second goal of the game. Anna’s lightning pace took her past the Tingley defender and cooly slotted in for a 2-1 lead. Anna then turned provider playing in Katie for her well deserved first of the season. 3-1 The blues are in control. The girls continued pressing the Tingley defence and were rewarded with a free kick on the edge of the box. Up steps Liv P with a outstanding strike. The keeper had no chance. Wow what a goal! 4-1. Its looking like the game is wrapped up…. Not quite.
Tingley stepped up their attack and hit back quickly to make it 4-2. The Blues from the kick off played it through midfield by Lexi and it broke out to the right, it was fed into the mighty Anna in the box who smashed it home for a well deserved hat trick. Well done Anna! 5-3 and there is still plenty to come. Lexi who worked her socks off tracking back & providing balls for the strikers went on a great run skipping past the Tingley defenders. Anna again turned provider again played it into Lexi who smashed it for the Blues 6th goal. Awesome girls! 6-3. Total respect to Tingley who refused to give in piled the pressure on again. The defence of Liv P, Amashi & Teegan S worked hard to keep out Tingleys attacks. Into the last 5 minutes where legs were tired and suffering from a few knocks Tingley kept battling and were rewarded with 2 long range goals to make it an exciting end to a great game. 6-5 was the final score and well deserved win for the team.
Player of the match from both sides was Liv P she was simply outstanding from the kick off battling for every ball and supplying some great balls for the strikers. Her goal was fantastic. Well done Liv P!
A special shout out to Captain Anna who led from the front & worked hard for the team, provided and scored 3 class goals. Well done Anna!!
Finally well done to Bella in her 1st ever match. She really got stuck in and showed some great skills. Well done Bella!!
Well done girls a real team effort today and you didn’t go offside once!! #UTC
Players Anna(Capt), Lexi, Liv P, Olive, Emme, Jess, Jessie, Teegan C, Teegan S, Katie, Amashi, Bella, Harriet
Goals Anna 3, Katie, Liv P, Lexi
Player the match Liv P
Opposition Player of the match Liv P
