Gutsy jets go 2-1 down to arnold eagles storm
Our first game of the season, saw us play Arnold Away, which has historically been a close game.
We started with a 4-4-2 formation, and it seemed to help us get on top of Arnold early on. Some runs from Cheska and Freya, testing out their defence. Daphnie , as captain, was battling and winning the ball in the middle and kept driving the team forward. It felt like it was only a matter of time before the Jets scored. Our defence of Layla, Lillyana, Naomi and Georgie seemed to handle the odd attack Arnold had.
We pushed and pushed for the first goal, but through a long ball forward, Arnold took the lead, even with Hollie's best attempt to stop them. But the girls didn't let their heads drop, and they went on the offensive again, Knocking on the Arnolds defensive door, time and time again without breaking through. Shortly before half time, Jessie took a free kick in our half, and played the ball through to Alice, who was running through the middle, she controlled it, beat the one rushing keeper, went round her and slotted the ball into the net. The half finished 1-1.
The second half, was much the same as the first half. The Jets going forward through Alice, Daphnie, Lillyana, Charliee, Lily, Naomi and Estee, but the Arnold defence doing enough to keep them out.
Eventually, another long ball forward from Arnold, managed to bypass the Jets defence and even though Hollie managed to knee the bouncing ball away, Arnold regathered the ball and managed the retake the lead. But the girls didn't let their heads drop and pushed and pushed for another equaliser. There was a shout for a hand ball in the area, in the last minute, but the referee waved it away unfortunately. So we came away empty handed.
Every single girl who took to the pitch today, gave their all, but special mentions to Georgie, whose first league game it was and did amazingly, Naomi who played 3 positions and gave her all in each of them, and didn't look out of place, Cheska for her harrying and pestering of the Arnold defence, but player of the Match went to Daphnie, whose Captains performance deserved a goal that she tried and tired to get for the team.
The only downside of the game, other than the result, was Ella landing awkwardly, and has fractured her wrist. We wish her a speedy recovery and hope shes back with us soon.
Priory celtic u10s (2-1) harriers u10s (friendly)
On a very wet sunday a meet up of two evenly matched teams ended with priory taking the win.
A mix up at the back led to priory taking the lead in the first 10 after pressure from both teams. Just before half time, Jessica scooped home from close range to level up the scores. As the rain became heavier in the second half some nimble footwork from priory got them ahead shortly after the break. In the last minutes a break from laicee saw a shot from the edge of the box expertly tipped onto the crossbar by the goalkeeper.