Our U16 girls had their big local derby on Saturday versus Barnet Nightingales. With all the players knowing each other very well this game was as much about bragging rights as it was the points!
Abi & Amie turned out for us for the 1st time this year, this due to the fact that we only had 12 players available at the start of the week. With Yvie otherwise indisposed and star striker’s G9 and Maisie both huge doubts with ankle knocks.
On a horrible horrible day the game eventually got underway after a delay waiting for the ref. Nightingales settled quickest probing our defence and testing the back line of Ava, Riss, Abi & TJ. A loose ball kicked into midfield was pounced on by Nightingales, then a through ball was played behind our FB for the pacy winger to run onto. Emily came rushing out but her first touch let her down on the greasy surface and the winger was first to the loose ball and was then able to round Emily and put the ball into the empty net for 0-1 Nightingales.
The girls huffed and puffed and fought their way back into the game and into some dominance, this without creating anything to test the away GK and lacking our normal quality on the ball and in attack. The pressure was definitely mounting with Lonaldo having a half chance and Ayla with a long range effort.
Elsie continued to probe and search for an opening to attack in what was a great battle with her FB. Annie and Aanya were full of running but on this horrible day we just didn’t produce any magic which the girls are more than capable of.
Yvie came into the game and produced another excellent display in what is starting out to be a great season for her as did Pola at left back using her pace and skill. Half time came and went and our late comer G9 made the journey from her morning tutor to come and help her teammates. And, it wasn’t long before she did just that as she got the deserved equaliser after some fine solo work; Gabby twisted and turned and smashed an unstoppable shot high into the net!
Two penalty shouts came and went as well as a couple of half chances one of which saw Maisie force an excellent stop from the Nightingale’s keeper. We were definitely in the ascendancy now and forcing Nightingale’s back and deep into their half, pushing Abi up front helped to do this as we pushed for the win. Unfortunately the ref blew up before we could get the winner and we had to settle for a 1-1 draw.
Highlight of the day was the return of defensive colossus - our Skippy - after a year out with first a fractured arm and then a broken leg. We have missed her on the pitch and it was a welcome sight to see her back and she got an excellent reception as she entered the pitch.