U12 girls had a tough away fixture in the League Cup this morning vs Hemel Reds on a tricky astro pitch that, on a very windy day, would play its part in what turned out to be a closely fought encounter. The team was again weakened due to illness and holidays and we travelled with only one sub again.
From the kick off, the Wood slotted straight into their slick passing game pushing Hemel back. We tried out a new system today of 1-3-3-1-1 which seemed to be working by making the best use of the players at our disposal. Emily was in goal with eventual POM Imani, Annie & Ella making up the back 3. The midfield 3 of captain Amie, Lucy & Theaya started in the same positions for the 3rd week in a row. Then we had our mini maestro Kara playing in her natural No10 position just behind the deadly Lois, trialling a new position as No9 and not stuck out on the wing.
Hemel knowing their home pitch and the windy conditions used every Wood attack to launch counter attacks with bombs dropping from the goalkeeper’s drop kicks, taking wicked bounces over the defence and into no-man's land. One such long ball caught the Wood out and Emily sprinted off her line to come and claim the ball, but, unfortunately, she slightly misjudged the bounce and got under the ball causing her to drop the kick. More used to this happening, the Hemel forwards pounced the quickest to put them one up. Emily showed her growing maturity and understanding of the game and brushed this off and went straight back into the fray.
Hemel could sense an opportunity and kicked the ball forward as quickly as they could now and caused lots of issues for the Wood defence and midfield. Bwood’s own attack huffed and puffed and we managed to get some shots on target but they all seemed to go at the home keeper. Imani had a particularly good long range effort saved by the Hemel keeper.
From another long kick, Hemel got the ball and from what seemed a wasted cross, the Hemel No5 picked the ball out of the sky and volleyed home with a finish you just had to applaud. 2-0 to Hemel.
Elsie came into the match and tried her best to create something with her foraging runs, but, she was often alone as our midfield could not get up the pitch quickly enough to support her. The first half ended 2-0 and the girls where a little down as they were competing well but found themselves behind!
However, they came out re-invigorated for the second half knowing the elements were on their side. Theaya took control of the midfield winning all the balls the Hemel keeper kicked out, now against the wind. Lois was beginning to look more dangerous up front as she got more used to her position and she was soon through 1 on 1 with the Hemel keeper; Lois calmly rounded the on rushing keeper like a seasoned pro before slotting home into the empty net!
Pressure was building from the Wood and Hemel were finding it hard to get out of their half.
Lucy started making tackles and using her pace to attack the Hemel back line; she got to the byline to cross on numerous occasions but found no forwards to cross to. Lois and Elsie in attack where joined by Kara to make an attacking 3. Lois again found herself with the ball at her feet and left the Hemel defence in her wake; she broke with speed and purpose and rounded the Hemel keeper before slotting home for 2-2!
This was all the Wood deserved as they played a huge part in a fantastic game. Full time came and it was straight to penalties. Emily leapt like a salmon to save one and almost pushed out another couple but, despite Amie and Lucy converting, ran out winners in the end. No losers today though as our girls took another important step forward in their football development.