Sunday 20 May 2007
Hitchin Town Belles U14 2 v 1 Leigh Rockets
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 (1) Sammy (1) penalty
Half Time; Hitchin 0 Rockets 1
Match facts;
A very fast competitive game played in good spirit by both teams and a good one to end the season on. Hitchin finished on a winning 3 game run in the same way they had started the season. A great match for both sets of spectators and plenty to talk about.
The game moved from end to end with lots of goalmouth drama with the Rockets scoring a wonder goal in the first half and it was against the run of play that Hitchin fought their way back against a very skilled Rockets side. There were 2 nearly own goals on either side and a dramatic last minute penalty, which won Hitchin the game.
Hitchin rode their luck today and punished Rockets whose failure to finish cost them the game however Hitchin took their chances well and never stopped trying. A very good win against one of the best all round sides in the league who looked dangerous going forward and strong in defence with a goalkeeper who pulled off some great saves.
To celebrate the opening of the new Wembley Paul has dramatically improved the ground at Ickleford and spectator facilities today with the provision of spectator seating (16 chairs) and a newly lined pitch. Unfortunately the budget could not stretch to parasols to keep off the hot sun but a beer tent and Gazebo are planned for next season!
The catering facilities including the provision of sumptuous sandwiches and cakes post match was also much appreciated. I am sure Paul must have had some help with this so thank you to Mrs Paul for her help.
Hitchin started the match with a very positive attitude and forced a very early corner. Rockets hit back quickly to force another corner and Eva had to move with pace off her line to collect.
Jo also had to make some early interceptions to stop some dangerous attacks. Sarah made a good early run to force the Rockets to concede a foul.
Sammy took the resulting free kick beautifully to pick out Natalie whose fierce shot was well saved by the Rockets goalkeeper. This stung the Rockets who charged down the pitch to force another save from Eva. The Hitchin midfield was working well and Louise made a lovely run linking with Sian to shoot just wide.
The Hitchin pressure was beginning to tell and Sian after some great jinking turns created the opening that led to an almighty goal mouth scramble with the Rockets clearing their lines. Good work by Alex on the right chasing down the balls and never giving up saw her put real pressure on the goalkeeper to win another Hitchin corner. A well-taken corner bought a good save from the keeper that saw the ball fall to Sian only to be denied by the keeper again.
The action then moved into the Hitchin half with Eva making a great save to deny the Rockets. However it was then that the Rockets showed why they are called the rockets with an absolutely unstoppable 20-yard shot that hit the bar and went straight in, a cracker of a goal!
The Hitchin defence had their work cut out as the Rockets piled on the pressure. Rosin as always nimble and fleet footed supported very ably by Monica who grows in stature with each game and Lauren always tracking back and always helping out. Natalie made some good interceptions to break up the Rockets attacks.
Louise and Sarah working hard in midfield attacked well to force another goalmouth scramble. However the half was up and Hitchin were staring down the gun barrel 1 nil down with the Rockets looking to finish them off.
Kerry came on and made an early impression with a very good run down the right to create consternation in the Rockets defence.
Sammy after her Jaffa cake feeding frenzy at half time really started to motor and made a quality run that very nearly saw her score. Rockets hit back strongly to force a corner, which Alex tracking back dealt with well. Sarah again had a good run resulting in a shot just wide. Rockets hit back forcing another corner and really put on the pressure forcing Natalie to hit a clearing shot just over her own goal though Eva had it covered!
Sammy again made another great probing run looking to link up with her striking partner Sian. Rockets counter attacked and an outstanding cross from the left saw a Rocket player head a fierce header goal bound only for it to rocket off the cross bar. Sammy took the pressure off to force another Hitchin corner. Sammy excelled and sent in a lovely ball that fell to Sian who at 5 yards out does not miss and she buried the ball expertly to level the game.
The Rockets hit back with a vengeance charging forward and playing intelligent football. Lauren battled magnificently in defence assisted by Natalie, Jo and Rosin to deny the Rockets.
Sarah made another charging run from midfield to hit a good shot on target. Louise ran her heart out as Captain and was all over the pitch even helping back in defence. Kerry caused problems latching onto the fast through balls from defence.
Then came the defining moment of the match Sammy jinked and nut megged her way down the left and was bought down in the box by the last defender. She struggled to her feet and the penalty was awarded. High drama indeed and in the resulting outburst of emotion unfortunately a Rocket player was booked but it has to be said the game was played in great sportsmanship by both sides.
Sammy steps up and slots the penalty home. Hitchin win the match 2-1 and finish the season on a real high. All credit to both teams for playing enterprising attacking football but Hitchin took their chances well and now have the platform to move up a level next season.
No overall girl of the match but credit to Sammy and Sian up front and scoring! Kerry some good runs and Alex who never stopped chasing down the ball, Louise who played a true captains role, Eva big in goal and made some great saves, Natalie, Monica, Lauren, Monica, Roisin strong in defence and Sarah who made some very good runs from deep in midfield.
A really good team is starting to take shape and recording 11 wins with 5 draws and a decent goal difference shows this team can play football and win. They have a great attitude and are probably one of the most sporting sides in the league. They are still young but have potential in buckets.
A big thanks to Paul who has not stopped working hard all season and we can all look forward to the next season as Hitchin Town Belles have made giant strides forward this year.
Report by Mike Thompson