Match Day 3 and U10s were on their travels again this time to the top end of Leicester. East Goscote U10s. We played them last year and they were a well-drilled group of girls with friendly coaching staff. The weather had truly turned and the sun had been replaced with the wind and rain, proper football weather! The pitch looked good but slightly smaller than we have been playing on. After a long drive up the A46, the girls were ready to play some football.
We started off with Megan in goal, in a determined mood to keep a clean sheet, Astrid slotted into her usual defensive role with Anya taking up the central midfield position. Poppy and Ruby either side on the wings. Ava in an attacking midfield role and Chloe leading the line. The girls set about the task of playing football into the wind. They played well with great link-up play between Anya, Ava and Chloe. In defence, Megan and Astrid looked solid at the back giving very little chances to the opposition. Poppy and Ruby were flying down the wings never giving the defenders a chance to settle.
As the half progressed the team rotated with fresh legs adding to the teams performance. Louise swapped with Astrid and she battled like the post match sweets depended on it. Ellie, Freya and Ava dropped into midfield and continued to harass the opposition, never giving them a minute on the ball. Emilia took over from Chloe to continue to rain shoots on the very good East Goscote goalkeeper. By half time we seem to be the slightly better side but with 25 minutes of football it was all to play for.
After an inspirational team talk at half time the girls set about the challenge of breaking down a stubborn East Goscote side. Ellie Dropped into goal and refused to give the ball to the opposition. Anya and Ronnie ran their socks off tackling and closing the midfield down while Chloe and Emila peppered the East Goscote Keeper. Ruby, Freya and Poppy continued to pass and move creating so many chances during the half. Louise And Astrid helped to pile on the pressure as every ball got played back downfield. Ava and Megan replaced tiring legs and showed the team has strength in depth and we battled hard till the final whistle
After the final Whistle had gone the girls were all happy and keen to eat the team sweets. They had worked hard and put in to practice the pressing and shooting we have been working on for the last few weeks.
Coaches player of the match – Anya – She moved into a more central role tidying up and distributing the play. She read the game superbly and never let the opposition have a chance.
We look forward to next week when we welcome back to Butlin Road Croft Juniors; a team we played earlier in the year (pre COVID, seems so long ago) – last time out was 5 aside and they were a good group of girls so this will be a good challenge for them and their development into 7 aside.
