U16g faced Guildford in their first league game of the season.
It finished 5-2 with a hat-trick from Millie and goals from Ruth and Ella.
Baggy was able to come and coach on the day. This saw the adoption of a 3-2-3-2 structure which suited the players on the day.
Team: Edith Scarr; Kirsty McFadzean, Emily Swain, Emily Morgan, Ava Martin ; Orla Scutter, Charlotte Sutton; Maria, Millie Gates, Ella Mae Munday, Mia Rotheram; Olivia Richards, Ruth Watkins, Scarlett Jackson.
The games started brightly, with plenty of possession but Guildford slowly warmed to the task and increasingly made forays into our half. After 11 minutes this pressure yielded them a short corner which they despatched to go one up. 0-1
Five minutes later they doubled their lead after a number of shots were only half cleared and they eventually found the net. 0-2
After 20 minutes a Guildford defender kept the ball out with her foot which left Millie to take a p-flick. She found the side netting to her left to halve the deficit. 1-2
There was action in both directions but no further goals so it remained 1-2 at HT.
Baggy tweaked the formation to increase the forward pressure and this showed on the pitch as home possession was proving more and more positive.
Five minutes into the second half Mille passed the ball down the right to Scarlett who crossed just in front of the keeper to find a well placed Ruth who tapped home the equaliser. 2-2
Eight minutes later there were several shots on the active Guildford keeper until the ball found a defender's foot. The ball was slipped left then passed to Millie who put the girls in the lead for the first time. 3-2
With nine minutes remaining there was more action in the Guildford D. The keeper continued to deny all-comers until the ball fell to Ella's reverse from where she lifted her trademark goal without any backlift to double the advantage. 4-2
At the very end there was a final short corner that saw many strikes come in but Millie wasn't to be denied her HT, slotting home at the back post. 5-2
This was a very solid performance from girls who clearly knew each others' game and bodes well for the rest of the season.
Thanks to Kevin Small for his instruction, and sweets..
Thanks also to Darren Scutter and George Jackson for their umpiring.
Here's to another promising season ahead.