Its been a crazy few weeks for our gils as they travelled across the midlands to Nottingham to compete in the aces national tournament. And what a great weekend it turned out to be for both squads.
It was our Under 13s squad playing ready for next year as under 14s who were first up on the Saturday who came were drawn in a very difficult group. we had Coventry, Newmarket, Bradford, and local rivals Bolton.
We started brilliantly winning our first game 2v0 with a 2 fantastic opening goals from Faith Emsley and Millie Knights.
Next saw us playing local rivals, Bolton, and as always this was a very difficult game. after us being unlucky hitting the post we kept it to a 0v0 draw. a very good result.
We then played coventry, a team that looked very strong in their previous games. this finishing 1v1 with another very well worked team goal.
Onto the last game it looked like we were through but the ensure we secured our place we managed to beat newmarket 2v0.
Onto the Quarter finals. We were drawn against a very difficult South London team. A team that in the group stages had also looked tough physical and quick ups front. It was a tight game until the last few mins of the game and our goal poacher mille pops upon with the all important goal to put us through into the semis.
As the wether continued to change throughout the day, it was no different in the semis, the girls were up against a team from Blyth Liverpool, so we knew it was going to be a very physical game.
The girls battled and worked their socks off after having just a 5 mins rest after the quatrers, but unfortunately after hitting the post and the keeper making a couple of good 1v1 save, the wether helped Blyth get the deciding goal. With a long kick upfield into the wind, this saw the ball bounce over our defence and leave the striker 1v1 with our goalkeeper Izzy. She was so close to keeping it out but unfourtunatly it wasn't meant to be.
Onto Sunday and its was our Under 14s turn playing in the Under 15 age group. We were drawn against Derby, Hull, Preston, and Bristol. Again a very tough group. Our first game we played derby, and it was a good start our girls showing how we could pass and move and ensure we play with intensity and drive with the games only being 12 mins each way. We were successful winning 2v0.
This is how the girls played throughout the group stages coming up against some very tough teams. It was clear to see by all though our girls were in fire and ready for anyone in these stages as they topped the groups all unbeaten in all group games.
Onto the Quarter finals, We were drawn against Leicester. The team who reached the finals last year. The game started a little quiet and after a good start we got the opening goal. and what a beauty it was. Layla on the edge of the box twist and turned putting the ball into the top corner from an almost impossible angle.
That had it the girls saw it out to ensure their place was secured into the semi finals .
We were drawn against the North London team Haringey girls, Winners of the JPL and current 5 times champs. After a slow start haringey girls capitalised on this scoring 2 goals in quick succession. Our girls battled hard for the rest of the game but couldn't get what they deserved in front of goal as the north London team defended for their lives. This wasn't meant to be and the girls were knocked out by the eventual winners of the tournament.
Everyone at the club would like to congratulate the girls who represented the club at their amazing tournament and would also like to take the time to congratulate the winners Haringey Girls who won both ages groups.