Match Report - MUDEFORD PHOENIX U16 GIRLS - 28 Aug 2021

Juniors Show Early Promise!

After a good mid-week workout the girls’ continued their pre-season preparation against a Mudeford side that had earned a runners up spot in the Hampshire County division 1 league just four months ago. The game would be split into 20minute quarters.

The first period saw a dominant opening for the team, starting in a 4-4-2 formation the girls’ pressing the home defence into errors and capitalising with three well taken goals. Carly was the first to open her account, striking cleanly from Megan’s assist (1-0). Another well struck effort from Megan (2-0) was closely followed by Sadie’s unstoppable drive after being put clear by Summer’s astute through ball (3-0). A busy Mudeford team has shown enough to suggest they were more than capable, breaking the lines several times but they hit a brick wall every time made up of Eva, Annabel, Abbie and Layla.

The second period saw Kacey getting her first taste of football for the team and Bobbi getting valuable minutes in a re-shuffle that pushed Abbie into a defensive midfield position. The system gave the team better stability in the central areas, frustrating the hosts with less space to play. Meg paired with Summer in central midfield began pulling the strings, the reward was another well worked goal. Emilie was beginning to show what she’s all about, testing her opposite number and the goal came from her teasing the ball backwards and forwards to Summer who swept the ball into the far corner of the goal (4-0).

HT4-0.

The team were caught cold at the start of the next period, a slight bit of hesitancy allowing a strike that crept under the body of Kacey (4-1). More industrious play from Emilie gave Meg the chance for her second which was duly taken (5-1) and Sadie doubled her tally with all her own work, forcing the mistake and firing past the goalkeepers outstretched reach (6-1).

A final period played out in similar fashion, the girls pushing for more goals. They had to wait for the final play of the match, a right to left move and Annabel crossing for Carly to finish from Sadie’s clever lay-off (7-1).

Summary:

Good combination play at times that will improve with more time playing together. What stood out most of all was a desire to engage when not in posession, making a good team struggle to play.

Goalkeepers Millie and Kacey were sound in their duties, both looking comfortable when called upon. Layla lead a back line that not only defended strongly but also influenced play from the back, Eva especially fierce in the challenge again. Annabel and Lauren were equal to everything thrown at them, Abbie, Summer, Emilie, Bobbi industrious and skill full. Clinical finishes from Meg, Carly and Sadie capped a good team performance.

Special mention to Layla, Sadie, Abbie, Emilie and Kacey, all newcomers are making their mark in the team and fitting in seamlessly, respectful of the team as a whole.

FT 7-1

POM: Eva (loves a tackle! But so much more)