U11s ferndale Flyers Girls match reports page 4
Mercian League
Under 11 girls
Saturday 15th March 2008
Ferndale Youth 0 v Ferndale Flyers 5
With honours still even so far this season,this 4th and final derby league match of the season was as important for pride as well as points for both teams.The pre-match warm up for the Flyers included laughs,joking and even singing amongst the usual warm up and training exercises.This seemed to give a calming influence to the team and instead of the tense start of previous matches,the Flyers immediately looked at ease on the ball.Indeed,within the first minute,Eilidh Shakespeare collected the ball from a goal kick and struck just past the post. Three mins later,a corner from Molly Maguire found Eilidh,who after 2 attempts, found the back of the net. 1-0. This was just the early lead they needed.It settled the team even more and ,whenever Youth put together an attack ,the likes of Sophie Baron and Alena Ashwin were there with some fair,aggressive tackling to stop them.On 8 mins,Holly Baron's attempt from right of goal found the keeper's arms.Soon after,another strike from Eilidh went wide and Holly's good run across the pitch finished with a shot past the upright. 3 mins later,Holly again stormed down the field,passed 2 defenders and fired over the bar.Almost immediately,Molly did the same on the right side and struck the side netting.The goal of the game came on 19 mins,when,with an assist from Eilidh,Holly took the ball on the left and,from outside the box,curled a powerdriver around the defender into the right corner of the net,giving the unsighted keeper no chance. 2-0. The killer blow for Youth came 2 mins later when,in a similar fashion to the first goal,Molly's corner was met by Holly's boot for her second goal. 3-0. The nearest the opposition came to a chance was three mins before the break when an attempt was kicked away to safety by keeper Nancy Sylvester.Half time 3-0.
Flyers continued to dominate in the second period and ,on 33 mins,a soft shot from Eilidh was not taken cleanly by the keeper .The ball was dropped in front of Molly who was first to react and poked it in for a 4-0 scoreline.Further efforts from Molly narrowly missed the goal and a shot from Holly from a corner was blocked well.In injury time,Eilidh came back on after a substitution and with her first touch of the ball,broke inside a defender,passed across the box where the ball hit the back of Chelsea Oliver's boot and slowly rolled over the line.A cruel way for Youth to end the game but a first goal of the season for Chelsea and you could say an inspired substitution !! Final score 5-0.
This was a fine display by the Flyers,one of the best of the season.Georgia Mason and Chloe Shilvock stuck to their task at the back and got some great blocks in,not allowing Youth a single shot on target in the second half..With some sharp passing,particularly after the break, and a collective will to win,this was thoroughly well earned.Once again,Sophie Baron was awarded player of the match for keeping the opposition at bay and her no fear attitude.Well done,girls.With three league games left,another win could see the title won before the end of the season.This will also be a great confidence booster for when the 2 teams meet again in the cup final.
Scorers;
Eilidh Shakespeare 4
Holly Baron 19,21
Molly Maguire 33
Chelsea Oliver 50+1
Saturday 29th March 2008
Friendly
Ferndale Youth u12s 1 v Ferndale Flyers u11s 4
The under 11 and 12 Ferndale girls decided to keep up their match fitness with a friendly match during a break in league fixtures.The under 11s got off to a flying start with a run straight from the kick off by Holly Baron down the right wing.She squared the ball to Nancy Sylvester (taking a break from goalkeeping) who slotted the ball home ,giving the Flyers a lead after only seconds.The younger team were far more positive and played some lovely passing moves and a strike from Holly,low to the ground from long distance,finished in the back of the net for a half time score of 2-0.
The under 12s came back into the game in the second half and pulled a goal back for 2-1.Holly had taken over responsibility in goal from Eilidh Shakespeare in this half and it was this combination that created the goal of the game,if not the season ,if not a lifetime !! Holly picked up the ball in the goal area and kicked it high into the air.Eilidh,standing just over the halfway line,saw it come towards her and as it neared the ground,swivelled,volleyed with her right foot and saw it sail,wind-assisted,about 70 yards over everyone,just below the apex of the goal into the net.This was met with a round of applause from spectators of both teams and is quite unlikely to ever happen again ! To cap off a superb performance by the Flyers,Nancy got her brace with a late goal.Full time 4-1.
Player of the game went once again to Sophie Baron for another outstanding performance at the back.
Mercian League
Saturday 5th April 2008
Ferndale Flyers 5 v Droitwich Spa Terriers 1
A win today would see the league title within touching distance but ,with only 6 players available for this game and Droitwich at full strength,a determined effort would be needed to get a result.The home side started the game sharply with lots of energy and commitment.The two 'p's,possession and passing,go a long way to getting a result and the Flyers demonstrated plenty of this throughout the game.With Molly Maguire in goal to start,it was up to Holly Baron and Eilidh Shakespeare to run the channels,take on the defenders and supply Chelsea Oliver who was in a predatory position up front.For 10 mins,they ran their socks off.Holly made a great run down the right from the halfway line,only to see her shot narrowly miss the post.Another sprint down the same wing ended in an attempt which was blocked well by the opposition's fine keeper.10 mins in,Eilidh took the ball round two defenders into the box.With just the goalie to beat,she decided to tap the ball to her left where a grateful Holly needed the faintest of touches to score. 1-0. At this point,the goalie's shirt was exchanged from Molly to Eilidh who was suffering from stomach pains.12 mins- another fine save from another Holly strike.15 mins - a well executed move - a throw from the keeper to Molly,riding a tackle,passed to Sophie Baron who ran past one defender,passed to her sister Holly who held off two challenges,waited for Molly charging up the pitch,passed to Molly - strike - and another save to deny what would have been a great goal from a fine build up.A minute before the break another shot was deflected just past the upright.In injury time,Molly probed her way down the right flank,crossed to Chelsea whose shot was blocked.Seconds before the whistle blew,Molly gave Ferndale some breathing space with a goal from just outside the box.Half time 2-0.
At the start of the second half Georgia Mason,who showed off her great defensive qualities in the first period,took over the goalkeeper's duties.Within 2 minutes,she stood no chance when Droitwich lashed in a drive high into the goal.2-1.Only seconds from the restart,Molly hit the side netting.On 30 mins,Holly outpaced two defenders,found Chelsea,having one of her best games of the season,who accepted the gift of only her second goal of the season. 3-1. At this point,it looked like Flyers were the team with the extra player as they continued to press and dominate.Another shot,another block.Then, in the 48th minute,the ball broke loose in the box from a cross and ,after a scramble between Holly and Chelsea,the ball crossed the line,the goal being awarded to the latter. 4-1. With time ticking away,a clearance from Eilidh,playing in an unaccustomed defensive position,reached Chelsea and then Molly who shot low for her second. 5-1.
This was a champion display from the whole team,showing intelligent play and creativity but ,most of all,vast energy and determination.It was such a team effort that player of the match award went to the entire team.Well done,girls.
Goals;
Holly Baron 10
Molly Maguire 25+1,50
Chelsea Oliver 30,49
CHAMPIONS
Mercian League
Under 11 girls
Saturday 12th April 2008
Ferndale Flyers 4 v Kinver Colts 0
Needing a point to win the championship,Flyers put in a strong performance against a dogged Kinver side.Having put 25 goals past the opposition in their previous 3 encounters,this was by no means a run in the park.Kinver are an improving side and with a goalkeeper,only turned down by Wolves because of her height,are tough to break down.Ferndale started strongly and confidently,showing no nervousness in such an important game.One of the teams strengths this season has been their passing ability and this shone through again today with some stylish play and thought on the ball.
It took 5 mins to get the first break-through when a pass from Nancy Sylvester (again taking a break from keeper) found Holly Baron on the edge of the box.Holly rounded one defender and struck the ball wide of the keeper into the goal. 1-0. Kinver packed the defence which made it difficult to penetrate at times but on 9 mins,Molly Maguire managed to find space and fire at goal,the ball going just wide.Ferndale's own defence were in a confident mood and whenever Kinver looked likely to threaten,the back two would break the move down,giving all 4 (yes,Four !) stand-in keepers little to do.16 mins in,the ball went out,Eilidh Shakespeare took the throw,found Molly who steered a pass to Holly who once again found the back of the net. Half time 2-0.
Lots of early pressure gave the Flyers more chances but Kinver's keeper was in brilliant form and made some brave saves. 33 mins - after a one-two with Holly,Molly took the ball into the box with only the keeper to beat.Keeping her cool,Molly took the ball to the keeper's right and left footed the ball calmly into the goal. 3-0. Although the homeside held the majority of the possession,Kinver kept the Flyers at bay until 2 mins from time.Eilidh collected the ball on the right,took on 2 defenders,crossed into the box and gave Molly the chance for her second goal.Final score 4-0.
Lots of cheering came from the girls at the end,who secured their second league title in successive seasons.Well done,girls.What an achievement.All credit to Kinver who made this an entertaining game and will improve no doubt next season.The team repeated last year's celebrations with bottles of very fizzy lemonade,much of which was aimed in the direction of coach Gary Oliver !
Player of the match was awarded to Georgia Mason for a great performance with some stalwart defensive play.
With the final league game not until 10th May,the girls can now look forward to the cup final in 2 weeks time.Anyone for the double !! ??
Goals;
Holly Baron 5,16
Molly Maguire 33,48
Goalkeepers;
Chelsea Oliver,Alena Ashwin (first half)
Sophie Baron,Holly Baron (second half)
