U11s Girls mercian Cup Final
Youth Report
Ron Handy Memorial Shield
Sunday 27 April 2008
Ferndale Flyers 1 v 0 Ferndale Youth
The much anticipated Final between clubmates Flyers and Youth saw both teams arriving ready for the challenge. Immediatelyboth teams approached each others to shake each others hands and wish their opposition good luck.The Mercian league introduced the teams and all was set for the start of a game fit for a Final.
The game commenced with the Youth adopting a girl to girl marking system on the Flyers main play maker, Holly Baron. The Flyers attacks were mainly shots from distance with the Youth defence standing solid, and anything that got through dealt with by the Youth goalkeeper Charliegh Lowe, with no problems. A lovely move involving 3 Youth players put Ella Skura into a shooting position but her on target shot was capably saved by Nancy Sylvester in the Flyers goal. As half time approached a goal mouth scramble in the Youth goal resulted in a penalty for the Flyers. This was highly debated as the box was filled with feet and bodies falling over in the slippy conditions, and it looked like both players just got there feet tangled together. However the referee awarded the penalty. This was converted by Molly Maguire despite Charliegh's valient attempt at the save missing bey Milimetres. This strengthened the Youth's resolve and they went on to attack trying unsuccessfully to get the equaliserser .With 2 minutes to go Youth's "girl marker" Jessica Homan had to end her game with a badly twisted ankle which was attended to by the St Johns ambulance. Half time 1-0 to the Flyers.
The 2nd half began and saw theYouth were by far the more adventerous hungrey to get an equaliser which their effort deserved, but efforts were twarted by good defending by Sophie Baron at the heart of the Flyers defence keeping the Youth at bay. Then a break by the Flyers gave a long shot to Holly Baron which seemed to be a certain goal in the top corner of the net but a fantastic one handed save by Charliegh saved the Youth from going 2 down .The last 5 mins saw an all out attack by the Youth desperately trying to get the leveller their play deserved but to no avail .Final score 1-0.
The mercian league awarded the Girl of the Game trophy went to Ella Skura of the Youth for her all round play. This game was a credit to both teams with all girls giving 100% to the end and providing both the league and the stand full of spectators with a fantastic display of football. Whilst the trophy went to the Flyers,giving them the double, the real winners were Ferndale girls and ladies football club as a whole in a game which without the penalty had the makings of a nil-a-piece draw with normal play.
This joy was further enhanced on returning home to hear that the ladies team had won the league on the same day. Further credit to all the girls and parents who joined as a club with the ladies for the after match celebrations.
Congratulations and well done to all the girls in both teams.
Flyers Report
FINAL
Sunday 27th April 2008
FERNDALE FLYERS 1 V FERNDALE YOUTH 0
Whatever happened in this game,it would be a tribute to the club, having two of their teams meet in a final together for the first time.As storm clouds loomed above after a bright, sunny morning,the game got off to its usual fast pace between these two friendly rivals.But almost immediately,a substitution had to be made as Chelsea Oliver went in for a tackle and sustained an injury.Captain for the day Eilidh Shakespeare made run after run down the right flank,passing defenders and putting in crosses to the box.Youth stood firm,once again opting for close player to player marking.Holly Baron saw a shot go wide but chances were few and far between.A quarter of an hour played,Chloe Shilvock came onto the pitch from the subs bench.Within 2 mins,she was fowled in the box and the referee awarded Flyers their first penalty of the season.Molly Maguire was given the chance to take the lead and calmly slotted the ball to the keeper's right into the back of the net. 1-0. Youth were allowed little time and space to mount an attack and any stray ball hit into the Flyers danger area was confidently mopped up by Sophie Baron,Georgia Mason and Alena Ashwin. Even so,one nil was a slender lead to take to half time.
The rain came down with a vengeance in the 2nd half (stair rods from heaven !!) and the girls had to play on a difficult,sodden pitch.Flyers played some nice touches but with no reward.Holly fired a shot from outside the box but this was tipped brilliantly over the bar from Youth's keeper.Flyers held more possesion but were not dominant in respect of chances on target.Keeper Nancy Sylvester was by no means a spectator but was not greatly tested and handled everything confidently. However,Youth would not be broken down again and it came as a sigh of relief when the whistle blew for full time.Credit to the our clubmates who made this a tough game to win and whose player Ella Skura was awarded Player of the Match. This was another great achievement for the Flyers,having won the league and cup double for 2 seasons running.
With Ferndale Ladies winning the league today, and the under 15 girls recently winning the County Cup and homing in on their title, Ferndale- the club -can be proud.
Well done everyone.
