A Free Template From Joomlashack

A Free Template From Joomlashack

WB 6 Denton Phoenix 3 (girls u16's)
Written by Steve Hopley   
Saturday, 19 April 2014 15:13

Whaley Bridge 6 Denton Phoenix 3

(Saturday 19th April 2014)

On a bright Saturday afternoon Whaley went into the game having not played a competitive game for a month knowing that matches against Denton had been hard fought contests. Denton had 10 players but had been playing with 10 in recent weeks and winning most of those games.

With Abz away Hannah went into goal and a back three of Mia, Beth(N) and Sian.

Elesha and Morgan played as wingbacks.  Sadie sat in front of the defence and behind Chloe and Toni in central midfield.  Amy had a free role linking midfield with attack and Beth(R) as the centre forward.  Georgia started on the bench.

Whaley had the better of the opening exchanges and when the opening goal came it was the best move of the match.  Beth Naden intercepted the ball deep in Whaley’s half and with a well-weighted ball set Elesha down the left wing.  Elesha cut inside onto her right and played the ball to Amy on the edge of the box.  Amy laid the ball back to Chloe who from 25 yards hit a cracking first time shot hard and over the keeper. (Whaley 1 Denton 0 Goal Chloe K/A Amy)

The goal should have settled the girls and despite creating 2 or 3 pretty decent chances they couldn’t find a second goal.  The game became more stretched and the Whaley defence started to retreat back giving more space to the Denton midfield.

It was Denton who scored next.  Whaley seemed to have cleared the danger from Denton attack but unfortunately Sian’s ball up field was sliced straight into the centre of Whaley’s box  and straight to the centre forward who from close range didn’t look the gift horse in the mouth and gave Hannah no chance.

Minutes later Denton made it 2-1 with a powerful shot from distance deceiving Hannah and sneaking in at the far post.

Whaley were determined to get back into the game.. Georgia came on for Sian and Sadie dropped back into the defensive 3.

Whaley’s equaliser came soon as Morgan attacking down the right beat her marker her cross come shot was turned in at full stretch by Beth(R) at the far post Elseha backing up for good measure. (Whaley 2 Denton 2 Goal Beth(R) K/A Morgan)

The teams went in 2-2 at half time.

Whaley started the second half brightly and Beth(r) scored her second just after the start.  She was against 3 defenders as she unsettled the centre back winning the ball before turning inside then back onto her right foot before hitting a powerful shot beating the keeper at full stretch at the far post. . (Whaley 3 Denton 2 Goal Beth(R)

Denton suffered a set back as their influential midfielder (no 8) landed awkwardly hurting her foot.  With 2 players advantage Whaley started to make the most of the extra space and created a number of chances.  When the 4th goal came it was Captain Elesha who scored it.  Amy picked up the ball deep in midfield and drove forward.  Elesha was flying down the left and an inch perfect ball was played into her path.  As the keeper came out Elesha finished from an acute angle with Beth(r) on hand to tap into the empty net if not. . (Whaley 4 Denton 2 Goal Elesha K/A Amy).

Whaley should have extended the lead with good chances falling to Amy but the Whaley scoring machine couldn’t find a finish and when she did was denied by some top draw goal keeping.  Beth(r) was as unlucky as it comes when she danced into the box but her shot rebounded off the inside of the post span along the line and hit the inside of the opposite post and out  to the keeper who was somewhat grateful.

Despite Whaley’s numerical and possession advantage Denton scored next to cut the deficit.  As Beth (n) drove out of defence the ball broke to the Denton player who hit a shot from the best part of 30 yards past Hannah.

Whaley soon re-established the 2 goal cushion.  Elesha who was now marauding down the left was causing all sorts of problems.  A long clearance from Denton’s defence was met in the air by Amy who directed her header to Elesha.. On the left jus outside the box she hit a shot over the keeper giving her no chance. . (Whaley 5 Denton 3 Goal Elesha K/A Amy).

With Elesha attacking down the left Morgan was also making the most of space down the right and was unlucky with a couple of efforts especially a delicate chip which almost beat the outstanding keeper.  Denton were continuing to try and get themselves back into the game and tried to break quickly but both Mia and Sadie were alert and prevented most shots on Hannah’s goal materialising through solid and intelligent defending.

Since coming on midway through the first half Georgia was sensational.  She chased and harried Denton every time they had the ball and was through persistence and determination winning almost every challenge and then playing the ball to a Whaley colleague to set up an attack.  Georgia should rightly be proud of her performance today.

Despite creating a number of good chances Whaley were not quite on the top of their game and looked somewhat rusty after the month layoff. When chances did come the Denton keeper was excellent denying 2 or 3 certain goals.

Whaley finished off the scoring with a sixth goal and Beth(r) hatrick.  Elesha crossed from the left and Beth’s snap shot was deflected and spun up and passed the keeper.  Beth had promised a hatrick before kick off and her all round paly was yet again top draw. (Whaley 1 Denton 0 Goal Beth (R)K/A Amy)

Given that Whaley had 2-player advantage for the last 20 minutes Denton put up a great performance and in reality whilst Whaley could have scored quite a few more the score line also flattered the girls who looked rusty for much of the match.  It was therefore very important that Whaley took all 3 points, which gives the girls a cushion in 2nd place now.

Denton’s girl of the match was their keeper who can’t be faulted for any of the goals (they had several players who were also vying for the honour).  Denton gave the Girl of the match to Elesha who scored 2 and was a constant threat going forward and defended tirelessly.   I gave Girl of the match to Georgia who when she came on turned the game back in Whaley’s favour.

 
 
Joomla 1.5 Templates by Joomlashack