Match result

TeamGirls U14 -
OppositionScotton
Kick off10:45am 05/03/2011
Score0-0

Match report   Next for the Foxes was a top of the table clash against 3rd placed Scotton. Victory would secure 2nd for the Foxes and a Scotton win would send them above the Foxes into 2nd. With Sophie G and Laura on their hols, Amy nursing a fractured arm and Sandy also out, the full depth of Foxes squad was being tested to the limit in this crucial clash.

On then with the game. The 1st half was one of few chances, with the Foxes defence standing very firm indeed. The 2 Beths down the left had to deal with a very tricky Scotton right winger, but managed to cope with her very well. Josie in the middle made countless interceptions and tackles and played a very accomplished Scotton striker (who put 5 past us in a pre-season friendly) out of the game and Abby on the right of defence gave absolutely no change to the Scotton left winger throughout the 1st half and throughout the whole game.

The Foxes best work in the 1st half was down our right where Dani was causing the Scotton defence some nervous moments, playing Emily through the once. Unfortunately the chance was on her weaker left foot and the goalie was able to get down well to save.
End of the 1st half 0-0.

On with the 2nd and unfortunately for the Foxes Dani had to leave, so it was 8 v 9! This was going to turn out to be a very long half for the nervous parents and for the leg weary Foxes. The foxes formation had to be shuffled with Emily moving back from her striking role to bolster midfield and help frustrate the Scorchers. It’s fair to say that Scotton enjoyed most of the possession in the 2nd half, but each and every one of the Foxes players worked so hard to close them down and make it difficult to break us down. The scorchers created 2 or 3 half chances, however Sofia in goal was once again in inspired form, pulling of as we all now come to expect of her a string of fine saves. It’s fair to say Andy the Scotton manager was tearing his hair out with the frustration of not being able to score, which was really testament to well you were all playing as a unit. It was also a source of much amusement for myself standing on a great vantage point on a hill overlooking the game.

We could have even sneaked the game in the 2nd half, with 1st Emily pouncing on a defensive error to go through on goal, but for the goalie to pull off a fine save and then in the dying minutes, Emily burst down the left to put in a fine cross for the ever willing Georgie to meet and send inches wide.

Toweards the end of the game, Scotton had pretty much run out of ideas as to how to break us down and the game finished 0-0. A magnificent team performance to hold Scotton a player short in the 2nd half and testament bot to the strength in depth in our squad and to how much each and every one of you have improved as footballers this season. That’s 5 clean sheets in a row for the Foxes, a record you can all be very proud of!

Girl of the game: Emily, worked her socks off in defence midfield and attack and was unlucky not to be rewarded with a goal. Well played Emily!

Here also is the Scotton manager's take on it, pictures from teh game can also be found on their web site:

The U14s welcomed Fulford Foxes to Percy field today for their latest league encounter.

The first half saw play constantly flowing from one end of the pitch to the other as possession switched between the Scorchers and the Foxes. Scotton didn't look particularly comfortable to start with, but nevertheless were soon finding opportunities to attack Fulford's goal - Georgia forcing a good save from the Foxes' keeper after ten minutes and near misses following from Molly and Ellie shortly afterwards. For their part Fulford were also creating chances and testing Scotton's defence on several occasions. However neither side could get the edge over the other and the score remained at nil-nil at half time.

The second half opened with Riah going into goal and Jayde coming out onto the left wing. Scotton quickly pushed forward and a great shot from Georgia was met by an equally good save from Fulford's keeper, who then managed to get in the way of the follow-up from Georgie.

Now looking much more settled the Scorchers continued to put pressure on Fulford, gaining three corners in quick succession and coming close to scoring but just being kept out by Fulford's good defence and excellent goalie.

As the match progressed a couple more substitutions were made (Becky C coming on for Ciara and then Emma for Becky S) and Scotton continued to ramp up the pressure. Now largely pinned into their own half Fulford had to cope with one assault after another, and to their credit defended very well. Scotton were now moving the ball around fluidly with good passing between Georgie, Georgia, Molly and Jayde and several shots would have found target if it hadn't been for the agile efforts of the Foxes' goalie.

As the minutes ticked away Scotton continued to attack, but a goal continued to elude them and the match ended at nil-nil.

Despite the absence of any goals this was a great display of football from both sides, which all those watching thoroughly enjoyed.

Manager
Trevor Mole
Captain
Player of the matchEmily W


Team stats

PlayerPositionContributionGoalsClean sheetsBookings
Sofia MGoalkeeperPlayed full match   
Beth RDefencePlayed full match   
Danielle CMidfieldPlayed part match   
Georgina FMidfieldPlayed full match   
Josie LMidfieldPlayed full match   
Sophie MMidfieldPlayed full match   
Abby WMidfieldPlayed full match   
Bethan WMidfieldPlayed full match   
Emily WPlayed full match   


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