Sunday, 8 October 2006
Bushey Rangers U14 2 v 4 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; Sian (2), Kerry Challis, Alex Murphy
Match facts;
A great result against a well-organised side that in a previous life as St Albans really gave Hitchin a hard time. The ground seemed to be the biggest the Belles have ever played on and in bright and breezy conditions ball control and passing were the skills of the day. Hitchin always looked the quicker side and demonstrated some neat passing movements and at last a much better on the pitch communication. They always looked dangerous going forward. A tight defence gave little away and the midfield tracked back well to snuff out any potential danger. Great shouting from Paul on the sidelines reaching a recorded peak at 500 decibels (louder than a hammer drill) in the final minutes as Bushey tried to score. Lauren deserves a special mention for bravely putting her head in the way of a fierce clearance when lesser mortals would have flinched. It is now 4 straight wins, the top of the League table beckons and next week the acid test as Cambridge are welcomed at home.
A subdued start by Hitchin who succumbed to some early pressure by Bushey who remembering their 6-1 win in the friendly before the season had thoughts of another cricket score win, how wrong they were! However after some good runs by Louise 2 corners were won in quick succession. Sarah was hacked down and awarded a free kick, which Sammy took well. Jo and Roisin working on the left and right were courageous in their tackling and really made the tackles count. 22 minutes into the game and Alex threaded through a lovely through ball to Sian who belted it into the net. Unlike the England strikers Sian is really on form not missing anything that comes her way. After 2 fouls in quick succession Hitchin cleared their lines with a trademark gigantic clearance from Eva that nearly took down a passing light aircraft, Sammy got onto the end of it and made a neat run only be stopped at the last minute by some desperate defending. At 33 minutes just before half time, a neat piece of play involving Stephanie and Louise unleashed Sammy who danced around 3 defenders before unselfishly laying off a beauty of a pass met with venom by Alex who slotted it home well.
A scrappy start with both teams relying on the boot and hoof hope in vain passing game. Sammy drew a good save out of the Bushey goalkeeper but after counter attacking Bushey won a corner. It was taken quickly and put away to make it 2-1 to Hitchin. It was hearts in mouths time until relieved by Louise who played extremely well hitting a great shot which Kerry tapped home, 3-1 to Hitchin and pulse rates returned to normal. Natalie and Monica read the game intelligently working hard at the back with Elise who replaced Lauren to tidy up the loose balls being fired in their direction. Sarah who worked effectively with Stephanie won another free kick that was hit to Sammy who hit another cracking cross across the face of goal to Sian who rifled the ball home. Hitchin 4 –1 up and looking good for the money. However after a wonder shot from midway in the Hitchin half by a Bushey player flew into the back of the net the lead was reduced to 2. The last 3 minutes were tense to say the least and a few nails were bitten but despite some frenzied last minute pressure the win was secured with some resolute defending and Paul firing out instructions from the touchline. Another great result from a team who talked to each other and played some intelligent football, and capitalised on the inherent pace and skill in the team. They could teach the England team something about motivation and winning matches!
Player of the match: Sian.
Report by Mike Thompson