The U13 girls began this National Plate QF at Slough with great gusto and took a deserved lead when Dhemi's deft flick at the near post found the target after good work on the right hand side of the pitch. Before we had time to press home our advantage,however, the home side equalised and the game was once again in the balance. Visibly lifted by their goal, Slough grew into the game and but for some super defending they would surely have taken the lead but we made the necessary blocks and tackles when it really mattered and once Harmani had gobbled up the one chance which came her way we were able to carry a 2-1 advantage into the interval.
The half time whistle came at just the right time and we went on to eliminate many of our earlier errors in a dominant second half in which we began to play our best football.Dhemi tapped home her second goal to make the score 3-1 and then the flood gates began to open although Kornelia was called into action on more than one occasion to ensure Slough were denied an opportunity to mount a comeback.Debutant Tayne Perry caused all sorts of problems for the Slough defence with her blistering pace and after a few missed chances, she eventually gained her reward by scoring a debut goal. Harmani Gill, our player of the match, then scored her second goal to make it 5-1 after a superb exhibition of dribbling and, desperate to score after a 3 game drought, Lexi Ruby also got on the scoresheet by expertly looping a half volley over the keeper into the net.
The girls could have been forgiven for settling for a convincing 6-1 victory but they were still hungry for more and Tayne,who had been a real handful all afternoon, won a penalty when she was brought down when through on goal. Our captain,Tilly, stepped up and promptly dispatched her second penalty of the season. Into the semi final for the 2nd year running with only Brighton now standing between us and a place in the National Final. We really appreciate the travelling support that has been so amazing this season and a big shout out to our number one cheer leader, Scarlett Lewis, who not only travels to our away games despite her injury, but even watches our training sessions!
Squad:
Kornelia Kruczynska, Remi McKetty, Caitlin Gregg, Xienna Fletcher, Harmani Gill, Esme Shields, Sarannah Lister, Lexi Ruby, Carly Johnson, Erin Leo, Tilly Mae Oakes, Dhemi Lee Simpson, Tayne Perry.
