Sunday, 19 November 2006
Watford 1 v 1 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; Sammy (1)
Half Time; Half Time Watford 1 Hitchin 1
Match facts;
On a cold bright day facing a Watford team who had just defeated Tottenham was going to be hard. The match stats say it all corners a plenty for Hitchin, fouls galore by a very physical Watford side who put in some quite cynical tackles to try and stop a very fast moving Hitchin attacking team. A great match to watch as both teams were evenly balanced and the tension was always there. It is a pity that some of the tackles were as fierce and unnecessary as both teams have talent in abundance. In fact Natalie had to leave the field injured with a very nasty stud wound. She is now a proud owner of a limp and very nice bandage. A particular ferocious tackle also felled Stephanie.
There were times in this match when cards should have been shown to some of the Watford players and the continued unpleasant shoving on the Hitchin players in the goalmouth was out of order during corners.
If this game had a cinema certificate it would only be seen by 18 and older, there was less blood and guts in Gladiator!
Not surprisingly in the arms, legs and kicking melee both teams were awarded penalties and Sammy can take full credit for a superb penalty conversion, textbook stuff.
Overall a very absorbing game with Paul making some very good decisions on team strategy and player positions, apparently a man called Steven McClaren rang him after the match to seek some coaching advice as he needs to get his side playing like the Hitchin Belles in tough away matches against strong opposition.
The trademark slow start continued and a quick burst saw a Watford player go down in the area after what looked to be a good tackle. The Ref pointed straight to the spot and Eva after only 5 minutes was in action. Eva made a great save and as the ball rebounded out a Watford player pounced to strike it home.
Watford 1 Hitchin 0.
On a very pitted pitch players with close ball skills were at a disadvantage. However Hitchin hit back magnificently with great attacking play linking Louise, Sian, Sammy, Sarah and Alex to force corner after corner. The corners were followed by a series of ugly tackles at one point 3 on the run in some desperate defending by Watford.
Natalie played particularly well in defence and Lauren again was an absolute rock, Roisin and Jo worked hard to snuff out any threat.
Eva saw action several times and pulled off a series of really good saves one especially when she faced a Watford attacker on her own.
Watford pushed back hard and there were some back to the walls defending going on by Hitchin. On a good break after another great run by Louise a corner was won and in the effort to clear the ball a Watford player handled the ball in the area.
Penalty to Hitchin and there was a strong belief of justice being served. Sammy hit a superb penalty straight into the corner. Half time Watford 1 Hitchin 1.
More corners more fouls but a very fast paced game moving end to end very quickly, Natalie retired wounded, Sarah had a quick respite after running herself into the ground and Elise and Kerry joined into the battle. Blood guts and sheer determination saw Hitchin threaten, chase every ball and generally work very hard. Skill nearly overcame brute force but as the light of the winters afternoon faded more end to end attacking saw Hitchin earn a very well deserved draw.
Next week a fixture to savour, Watford at Home in the semi final of the County Cup, bring on round 2!
Player of the match: No overall girl of the match as again with all great performances a team effort, special mention for Stephanie real courage and grit, Sian, Sammy, Alex Sarah and Louise like terriers never stopped running, Eva a super performance in goal and Roisin, Lauren and Natalie solid as rocks in defence.
Substitutes Monica, Jo, Kerry and Elise all made their mark and slotted in well.
Report by Mike Thompson