Our U12 Girls travelled away to First division opposition in Berkhampstead Raiders in the cup. On a beautiful pitch the game got off to a frenetic start with the strong and well organised Berkhampstead midfield taking control of the game.
The midfield 4 of Lois, Amie, Lucy & Elsie had their work cut out trying to deal with the powerful Berko midfield. They stuck to there task though and were soon creating their own chances and pushing Berko back into their half.
Berkhampstead where causing problems with their speed on the break but the Imperious Abi, Annie & Ella where keeping them at bay and Emily in goal was having a great game making saves low to her left and right.
The breakthrough came with the very gifted Berko No9 attacking at pace and getting off her shot into the bottom corner: 1-0 Berko. Romey was fighting for every ball up front but service today was at a premium due to the high level of competitiveness of our opponents.
Subs for the day Hazel, Kara, Theaya and Imani entered the fray to see if they could affect the game. Kara and Theaya particularly had excellent games today and did wrest a little more control of the game from Berko and Hazel did excellent work again fighting for her team as she did last week also. Imani was straight back into the game like a duck to water after missing 2 weeks through injury. Berkhampstead again attacked at pace but this time the defence held them up and got the clearance only for the ball to come back and for Berko to get the final touch for 2-0 to the home side.
Heads didn’t drop and the girls, as they do, knuckled down and were the best team for the next 15 mins. Karadonna was causing no end of damage to Berko’s defence whenever she got the ball in a POM performance today, she showed her undoubted quality not only playing a div 1 side but also giving away a year as playing up!
The second half was very even with neither team dominant but the Wood just couldn’t convert the chances we made; Lois had a good shot saved as did Elsie, while Romey also ran the line tirelessly. Theaya, Lucy & Amie where looking more and more at home playing against a Div1 midfield and we're clawing back control of the game, but Berko were always dangerous with pace and skill throughout there team and another quick break saw them beat the defensive line then, then getting the break of the ball and took it round the oncoming Emily, who had not made a mistake all day.
Final score 3-0 to Berkhampstead but definitely no heads down here, a fantastic performance from the girls which the score line doesn’t truly show. Today they showed guts, determination, skill, power and a huge will to compete and stand their ground. Never were there two prouder coaches than Dave & Richard today!
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All our boys' teams were raring to go this weekend before the monsoon rain put paid to that. They'll all be back next week and we'll discover then what adventures they've been having!
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