U14 G Great first win of the season

With the prospect of a pizza after the match this weekend we had a virtual full turn out which meant it was going to be a bit of a nightmare to manage. Luckily Alton did not complain too hard that we had 18 players and agreed all could play when I promised to restrict the time that those U14s who had played U16s would have to about 10-15 minutes to give some of the developing player more pitch time.

The mood was bubbly and excited as the girls took to the pitch. The game started off very evenly as the girls settled down and found their feet. The game finally opened up with Liv smashing the ball in to the back of the net after twenty minutes. This was followed four minutes later with another cracker from Liv. Alton did not let their chins drop and after a series of determined attacks they finally managed to beat Josie, who was having her best game of the season so far for Andover, and the rest of the defence to hit the back board at the 27 minute point. Immediately Andover upped their game and Anna drove wide down the right wing and in to the D, hitting the ball across the goal to a waiting Liv, but there was no need for Liv to touch it as the ball caught the left hand post and pop in. 3-1 going in to half time was a great start.

With an almost entire change of players at half time Andover took a bit of time to find their stride again, not helped by us playing with only 10 players for the first 10 minutes after a bit of a communication issue. No sooner had the administrative error been rectified and we were playing with the full eleven Tiana beat their keeper to move the score forward again at the 41st minute.

The game ebbed and flowed with Alton making some great attacks and winning many short corners but the Andover defence reigned strong and resisted their challenges to keep the score to just one against. It was great to see the girls working much better as a defensive unit and pushing the ball wide (see they do listen at training :-) ) and working together at picking up their players.

Liv was the Alton Players' player for the attack as not happy with her two goals she went on to bag another two in the 45th and 50th minutes before being pull off for being too greedy ;-) With the score 6-1 with 10 minutes remaining the attack took their foot off the peddle and eased off allowing the defence some extra training and to be able to dig in and rebuff the Alton attacks. Elizabeth was the defence Players' player for her dogged, controlled and determined defending.

It is impossible to mention everyone but it was really great to see all the girls upping their performance and working really well together as a team. First win in the bag….. no excuses now girls you have shown you can do it and delayed my P45 for a little longer.