13.04.10 - U14 GIRLS EAST REGIONAL CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS:
Having already played Wycombe in the qualifying event (drawing 2-2) the girls knew that their first pool match could well be their toughest, and so it proved to be. The girls were put under pressure right from the start against a well organised Wycombe side but for all their pressure they couldn't create any clear cut chances and with their first meaningful attack Loughts broke quickly from their D and Emily Holmes slotted the ball past the Wycombe GK to take the lead. Wycombe continued to press and equalised when the OL defence seemed to stop for a penalty corner after a foot but the Umpire played the advantage and Wycombe levelled the score. With some tactical changes at half time the second half was a much more even game and with two minutes remaining Molly Barrett snapped up a close in rebound to put OL ahead again. However the girls concentration lapsed again and from a quick self pass Wycombe slipped the ball in behind the OL defence and Wycombe levelled the scored at 2-2 which remained the final score. The second pool match was against Norwich City. The girls started brightly with lots of possession but as in the Wycombe game their first touch or final pass was just letting them down however after some Norwich pressure Rayo Ladipo broke quickly and her pace allowed her to get behind the Norwich defence and Emily swept the cross in to make the score 1-0 at halftime. The girls pressed hard in the second half as they realised a place in the final would probably be decided on goal difference. Emily and Molly added another goal each to make it 3-0 but missed chances and a late Norwich consolation goal to make the final score 3-1 meant that the girls were relying on Wycombe beating Norwich by less than 3 goals, but Wycombe were just too strong for Norwich and they cruised in to the final with a 7-0 victory and were eventual winners beating Harleston Magpies 5-1. Although they didn’t make the final the girls remained unbeaten all season with 5 wins and 4 draws. Many thanks to Sue Row for organising a great finals day at OLHC. Dave Morgan, Leroy Phillips and Jacqui Tribe for coaching the girls all season. Team: Sarah Chamberlain (GK), Georgia O'Connor (Capt), Lucia Corry, Jade Gidney, Imogen Padwick, Natalie Thomson, Megan Wells, Rayo Ladipo, Katherine Hough, Lizzie Wroblewski, Molly Barrett, Emily Holmes, Milly Modrick and Lucy Price.
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