Sunday, 12 November 2006
Tottenham Hotspur U14B 1 v 2 Hitchin Town Belles U14
Home Counties Girls Football League; U14 Division 1
Players: Elise, Alex, Roisin, Louise, (Captain) Sarah, Natalie, Lauren, Kerry, Monica, Sammy, Sian, Stephanie, Eva, Joanna.
Scorers Hitchin; Sarah 1 Louise 1
Half Time; Tottenham Hotspur U14B 0 Hitchin Belles 1
Match facts;
An away trip against a Tottenham side is never going to be a walk in the park and so it proved to be where Hitchin recorded their first ever away win against a Tottenham side. However for all of their dominance with 16 corners won, at least 75% of the possession and spending most of the match camped in the Tottenham goalmouth a much better score was expected. To put it all into context though, it needs to be remembered that last year Hitchin would have been delighted to come away with a draw, expectations are now higher based on a much improving Hitchin side. All said and done an away win and 3 points is a great result but frustratingly it could have been more and towards the end of the game there were too many hearts in mouths moments as Tottenham swiftly counter attacked.
On another day it could have been a cricket score result but again more calling off the ball by Hitchin and getting into the critical goalmouth spaces would have helped. Perhaps too much respect was shown and there were several occasions when the ball could have been carried further to set up even better chances.
A very good start from Hitchin who forced a corner after only 30 seconds of play, however a quick break on the left saw a Tottenham shot beat Eva and hit the bar. Sammy responded with a good shot that was saved by the goalkeeper. There then followed what seemed an eternity of corners which the Belles just could not capitalise on and it fell to Stephanie to hit a great long-range shot, unfortunately just wide of the target. Louise had another crack at goal and Sammy then fired one home only for it to be disallowed for offside. Another corner to Hitchin, cleared by Tottenham only as far as Alex who made a great run from just outside her own half and delivered an inch perfect cross beating the goalkeeper and leaving Louise with a simple opportunity to score. There will not be many easier goals than this. More corners to Hitchin and I thought they were building a shop at one stage there was so much time spent at the corners (a corner shop in fact!)
Stephanie had some great long range shots at goal and the power she gets behind them is scary, one day soon one of these is going in and no goal keeper will stop it.
Lauren was a rock of stability in central defence, Roisin again showed some great ball control skills not only getting the tackles in but winning the ball and then twisting and turning to leave the opposing player for dead. Elise is growing in confidence and skill having recently joined the team and together they dealt with the Tottenham attacks very well and so much so that Natalie even ventured forwards to hit 2 shots at the goal. However on very quick counter attack the post came to Eva’s rescue. Tottenham were not out of the game and one goal was not going to be enough and after Tottenham had hit the bar twice in the first half the danger was always there.
The half finished with yet another Hitchin corner, the ref having run out of puff by this stage blowing for the corners just pointed at the corner.
The second half started with you guessed it another Hitchin corner, however Tottenham were stirring and on another very fast break Eva reacted well to tip the ball onto the bar. The resulting goalmouth scramble had the home supporters hopes raised then dashed as Hitchin finally cleared their lines. This was the warning and Tottenham raised their game and again on a quick break Eva was finally beaten by a very fast shot into the corner of the goal. The match turned as Tottenham started to look for the second, at this critical stage Sammy had to retire injured and Paul had to made a substitution, bringing on Jo, which meant as last week the shape had to be changed. It was not looking good and the balance of play had shifted. However Sarah really got behind the game and with some good runs and intelligent passing with Louise started to swing the game Hitchin’s way. Sian had a couple of good shots and tracked back well to help midfield.
It was left until the tense final minute when a great header by Louise put Sarah in the clear. Sarah ran with the ball well and thumped it past the goalkeeper to win the match.
Justice had been done and next week a tricky match with an away visit to Watford. This is another great opportunity for a vital away win. Successful sides make their own luck and Hitchin Belles are just starting to do that.
Player of the match: Several contenders this week as both Hitchin goal scorers featured heavily in the action and another very good game by Roisin. However on balance scoring one, making the other goal and with her continued running Louise was the girl of the match just ahead of Sarah who had a very strong game.
Report by Mike Thompson