CR Dream Team

There are certain games that really strengthen a team, beyond what we can do in training or with coaching, and today was one of those matches. Against a physical and very aggressive team, and with only 11 available players, our girls stood up to a nasty test, and came through it stronger and more connected than ever before.

We played some lovely football in the first half, without creating too many clear cut chances. AFCW were always hard in the tackle and tried to break up play, but our girls were up for the challenge. Sylvia had an incredible first half, always breaking up play, but also using the ball brilliantly. The defence stayed solid, and when Talulah received a pass, took on her attacker, and whipped a long cross field ball to Sophia, I thought I was watching a pro team!

We had a couple of half chances, and Liv’s corners were again causing all sorts of problems, but we couldn’t quite find a way through. But then Sophia took down a high ball and found Liv with a lovely through ball. Liv showed excellent strength to hold off 2 defenders then also showed great composure to finish past the keeper. It was a tougher test than it looked, needing to pull off a hard toe poke as she was aware the defender was closing in too quickly for a traditional finish.

The second half was even more of a war than the first, with tackles flying in, girls been thrown to the ground and kicked, and some fairly colourful language, but Claygate stuck to the task and continued to play the best football.

At only 1-0 it was always nervous, so it was a great moment when Sophia held of a number of challenges, before showing great coolness in taking the ball close enough to the keeper to give her no chance of reacting to a beautifully slotted finish.

An amazing end to an incredibly successful season. Well played girls.

Goals: Liv, Sophia
PoM: Sylvia

What already looked like a tough task, with only 11 players and no regular goalkeeper, our job was made even harder by some fairly home team friendly decisions from their ref.

The game started very evenly with us creating the better chances without being able to score. That was until another excellent corner from Liv was not dealt with and Bea was there to pounce.

Bea looked to be through on goal again before she was unceremoniously smashed to the floor in what looked like an ice hockey tackle but is apparently allowed in girls football!

We expected some more rugged play from Caterham in the second half, and their pressure began to tell. They equalised when a corner was volleyed in then took the lead after being rewarded another “interesting” free kick which was only partially cleared before being hooked hopefully goal wards and finding the far corner.

We kept trying until the very end, but gave away a bit of an odd penalty for them to score with the last kick of the game.

But this was a really good effort with so many things stacked against us. Ellie, almost unable to walk, helped her team out by going in goal and doing a great job. The defence were excellent under continuous pressure and some very direct play. Talulah especially had an excellent game against a large and physical winger who she refused to let past. She was also able to skill past her opponent 5 times in one move before distributing down the wing. The sort of behaviour that really should be banned!

Great effort girls.

Goals: Bea
PoM: Talulah

Odd game where oppo were shorts so we shared some players, but turned out to be a very useful exercise as we got to try out some new positions and some of our girls got to go up against their mates.

Fleur and Sylvia were against us in the first half and both played brilliantly. Fleur cutting out any trouble, and Sylvia showing great hold up play as striker.

In the and though Bea managed to muscle through the defence before cooling finishing (a hallmark of our goals today).

Eve then entered the pitch, having finally managed to sort out her new boots, and put them to good use as she showed great control and composure to score our second.

Half time cam, and Emily and Sophia now played against us. Liv scored an excellent goal to put us 3 up before Lara muscled past her defender, opened her body up and slotted a precise finish past the keeper. At 4-0 up all seemed well, but Guildford scored a lovely goal from just inside the box after good play from Bea who was now playing for them (are you keeping up???).

Liv scored our 5th to make things more comfortable, before Guildford finally got on the end of one of their many long balls by the keeper and ended the game at 5-2.

Great to be out there in good conditions and try some new things. There were some excellent performances across the pitch but Liv with her 2 goals and excellent tackling and delivery gets player of the match.

Goals: Liv 2, Bea, Eve, Lara
PoM: Liv

In some games you get to play lovely flowing football on a beautiful surface, other times you have to roll your sleeves up and just get stuck in to get a result, and today was definitely the latter!

Meadow play very direct football, with their keeper especially launching long balls up the pitch to be dealt with, and this is very different from most games we play and all the training we do. So this ended up being a bit of a scrap, and a game where for the first real time we needed to change formation at half time to ensure we were more solid.

The first half as a real stop start affair, with the ball spending more time off the pitch, or in the air, than at a players feet. We were still able to get some joy down both wings but getting shots off proved difficult. Eloise used her skill and pace to get through on goal, but put a left foot shot wide as the angle got tight, with Bea doing similar on the right. We were getting chances, but nothing easy.

Then Liv worked some lovely play down the left wing and got off a powerful shot which the keeper saved brilliantly, only for the ball to bounce out to the perfectly placed Eloise to jab into the net for 1-0.

Liv’s corner delivery was again causing the oppo difficulties, and on her 5th kick she was able to sneak the ball in between the front defender and the post to put us 2 up at half time.

The second half was a battle, but one the girls were up for. With the wind behind them Meadow continued to send long balls up the pitch, putting real pressure on the defence who handled it fantastically. Thea was meeting everything and Ellie and Sylvia both showed great discipline to be on hand to break up play.

When Meadow did get past the defence Deni was always alert, no more so when shutting down their striker with a one-on-one and forcing her to shoot wide. Her bravery at getting to the ball, and her command of her box was absolutely vital to keeping a clean sheet. Not a goalkeeping performance with lots of flashy saves, but and absolute rock of a game when it was really needed. During this tricky period Emily also shepherded one dangerous attempt out of play and Talulah officially “took one for the team” by tripping their striker who was through on girl. Proper old school grit, but something that was needed at the time.

So another win, and another clean sheet, but this was anything but easy. It was the sort of game where you really learn a lot about the team, and today we showed we could change formation and hold onto a lead, which is a great skill to learn as we play more competitive teams.

Goals: Eloise, Liv.
PoM: Liv, Thea and Deni.

Having not played for a month, and with little training either, this was always going to be an interesting game against a Westside team that don’t score many but are well organised defensively. The game was made all the more interesting by a venue that was tough to find, and when you did get there it was a different surface which took some time to get used to.

We talked pre match about really trying to put our passes together and work on team play as opposed to just running through the opposition, as we plan for future tests, and once we found our feet we looked like a fantastic footballing side with some lovely intricate play all the way from the back to the front.

With that said, we were finding it hard to make any clear cut opportunities, but one area we always looked dangerous was from corners, and Liv’s wand of a left foot. Time and time again she delivered into an excellent position, and it was from another of these accurate kicks that Eloise was able to react the fastest and poke home our first.

If the first was from a set play, the second was some really top quality football. Having worked the ball from the back, Eloise picked up the ball centrally and with the outside of her right foot placed a delightful, defence splitting pass, through their lines. Lara met the ball at the same time as their defender, and was just able to get the better touch and the ball fell to Liv with a one on one. The result was never in doubt as she calmly slotted home.

The second half followed a similar pattern with us playing some lovely football, but not finding it easy to create open chances. Sophia hit the bar with a fine strike and Eve had a shot deflected against the post.

Our third goal continued the “interesting” tone of the match. Another fine Liv corner found Lara, who poked it in off the bar. Everyone seemed pretty sure it was a goal, including their linesman and both teams, especially the Westside player who picked up the ball to take it back for a kick off. The only person NOT seeing the ball go over the line was the ref, who then awarded us a penalty instead, which Bea calmly slotted home.

Really nice performance, with some great football, and a very combative effort all round. Was great to see the defence so solid and so many girls working some lovely passing angles. Was also great to see Ellie really look comfortable carrying the ball, and Sylvia keep things ticking over brilliantly in the middle of the park.

Goals: Eloise, Liv, Bea
PoM: Eloise and Liv

Back to winning ways with a solid performance which, with a bit of luck, could have brought about more goals.

Like the last time we played the Panthers took the league, with an excellent first time finish from midfield that left Deni with no chance.

We were struggling to open them up too much, but Bea and Sophia on the right were beginning to create openings, so it was no surprise when a ball from Emilia found Sophia with two defenders in front of here. From there she went outside one, cut the second defender down on her backside, and finished at the keepers near post.

Sophia was on hand to score our second as well, as we really settled into the game.

The second half was a really strong performance from the team, as we used the space of a very large 3G to get more and more chances. Eloise was terrorising whichever poor defender she came up against and their back line was becoming really stretched. Deni was also always on her toes to snuff out any danger, and bravely collect the ball as opponents feet. Her commitment to the role has made us such a better side this year.

As shot after shot grazed the post, or went just wide, we really needed another goal to settle our nerves, and this was provided by Liv who picked the ball up on the left and drilled it low past the keeper.

Lara then had a goal ruled out for what must have been a very tight offside from an excellent Eloise cross, before Sophia got her hattrick with the last kick of the game, beating three defenders before getting off a shot which squirmed through the keeper’s grasp.

It really was an excellent second half performance, with Emily screening the defence and our attackers working some lovely passing patterns across the pitch.

It was also great to see the team get on so well and support each other and for so many parents to be there watching the game. Certainly more enjoyable that last week!

Goals: Sophia (3), Liv
PoM: Sophia.

Tough one to take here in a top of the league clash. We started out incredibly with Bea and Sophia tearing into the opposition down the right, before providing crosses for Eloise (3 times) and Eve (once) to score within the first 15 minutes, leaving us 4 nil up and contemplating our first ever league win against Colne Valley.

Unfortunately the opposition are a tough bunch, and they worked themselves back into the game with a mix of direct football, skillful wing play and a physical approach and had clawed back 2 goals by half time.

As we tired, with limited options on the bench, Colne Valley sensed a famous comeback and threw everything at us. Unfortunately they were able to not only level, but ass a 5th with 10 mins to go to take the lead.

We attempted to restore parity in a frantic last 10 minutes, and although Sophia forced an excellent save from their keeper from a free kick we were unable to get that final goal that would have left the league in our own hands.

We’ll be hoping for some results to go in our favour in the next few weeks, but there were some real positives to take from the game, especially that first 20 mins or so when we looked like a footballing work of art.

So now to push for the rest of the season and see if we can benefit from any slip ups.

Eloise picks up player of the match for an incredibly well taken hattrick.

Goals: Eloise (3), Eve
PoM: Eloise.

First game in over a month against a team who played a tier up last year, so we knew it would be a tricky match. Having said that, after 30 seconds you wouldn’t have known as we retrieved the ball from their kick off, worked it down the right wing, and Bea beat the keeper at the near post. Like we’d never been away!

Midway through the first half we made it 2 with some lovely build up play down our right wing, and from our own goal kick. Thea and Emily worked it well from a short kick and that gave us good options down the right. When the ball was fed to Eloise she still had a lot to do, but one touch pushed it past her defender and the second lashed it across the keeper and in off the far post. A proper pro goal!

If we though this meant and easy win, Milford refused to go away, and after a long throw bobbled in the box they were able to pull one back.

Then a few minutes before half time they again took advantage of a loose ball to coolly slot past Deni, who had no chance with either of the goals they were struck so well.

So at half time, and now with only 11 players, we regrouped and changed tactics slightly, with Emily stepping into midfield to cut out some of the space Milford had been finding, and release Charlotte into more attacking positions.

We were definitely on top, and Milford looked to defend deep and attack on the counter. It was at this point that something really clicked with the team. The passing became crisper and Milford were really having to work hard to shut us down.

With 15 mins to go this unrelenting work Milford were forced to undertake final took its toll. For the first time in the match they were unable to close down one of our players, this time Charlotte just outside the box, and she really made them pay with a wonderful finish into the far corner. Another brilliant finish.

The game was still in the balance, but our pressure was starting to tell and we began to push them back and get some corners. Liv’s delivery on these was fantastic, always putting the defence under pressure, and it was from one of these excellent deliveries that Milford were unable to clear their lines and allowed Eloise the crisply finish first time with her left foot.

This was a really strong performance today, so many congrats to the players.

It was hard to single out one performance today as everyone played such a strong part but two girls get a special mention.

Eloise terrorised Milford’s central defenders, and even though she often had two central defenders to work against she was able to show her class and claim a brace of goals.

And Emily played in central midfield for the first time in the second half and looked like she’d done it all her life with excellent positioning which allowed her to cut out play and distribute to our attackers.

Well played girls, each one of you should be very proud.

Goals: Eloise 2, Bea, Charlotte
Players of the Match: Eloise and Emily

Well, that was lively! Certainly the most physical side we’ve played this year, with one particular player loving a slide tackle, but the Eagles came out on top due to simply playing the better football.

In a tight first half Sophia and Charlotte linked up well down the right and when Charlotte whipped in an excellent cross the oppo defender poked it into their own net.

Our second goal started a run of really excellent finishes. Charlotte again found herself in space on the right, beat her defender, and crashed the ball high to the keepers left to give us a 2-0 lead going into half time.

The second half was also a physical affair as the game got stretched as legs got tired, although we seemed to be coping better with the efforts needed. Bea almost wriggled through to poke in a goal that her effort deserved, but the keeper was able to save.

But no keeper was going to save Liv’s next effort. Eve did brilliantly to work some space and play a simple ball sideways for Liv to control with her first touch and smash into the top corner with the second.

There were some really nice patterns of play being worked, although AFCW did create chances, but a brave Deni was always there to repel them.

Sophia had been playing some excellent passes, but this time had the beating of her defender and she bore down on goal and flashed a beautifully controlled finish past the keeper.

AFCW did manage to get a consolation goal with a couple of minutes to play. It was an excellent shot, but it needed to be to get past an inspired Deni.

Really impressive performance today. Nobody hid when it got tasty and we continued to play proper football all game and some of the passing patterns were brilliant.

All our defenders had a great game too, probably the toughest constant examination they’ve had, but they worked fantastically as a unit and really seemed to enjoy the challenge.

Difficult to single out one player today, as it was such a good team performance, but Charlotte really put in a captains performance and seemed to be everywhere on the pitch. She may not have been able to speak but she let her football do the talking to an impressive degree and she gets our player of the match.

Now time for Christmas in what has been an exceptional first term for the Eagles. Top of the league, and more importantly improving as a group every week, it feels like there is still a lot more to come from this lovely group.

Goals: Charlotte, Liv, Sophia, og
PoM: Charlotte

Really tough conditions today with extremely strong wind, so this was a very professional performance against a team who are bottom of the League, but haven’t been losing by many. To restrict them to only two shots on target (one saved magnificently by Deni) was an amazing performance in such difficult circumstances so well done to all.

We had numerous opportunities to get the first goal, but couldn’t quite beat their keeper. That was until Bea pounced on a mistake by their defender after a corner, and from an impossibly tight angle drifted the ball on the wind over the keeper and safely into the net.

Only 1-0 up half time, having played with the wind, could have been a problem, but we saved our best football for the second half, and in truth could have scored many more.

Sophia got our second after a determined run and finish, before Liv’s twinkle toes won a penalty, which she nestled into the back of the net herself.

Meadow got back into the game after a short goal kick went wrong, but their striker had a lot to do and caught one of the sweetest volleys you’d want to see in this weather to ping the ball into the net.

But as has been the case recently we reacted brilliantly to the opposition scoring and could have scored a good few more. Sophia finally did net our 4th simply by wanting the ball more than their team, and poked the ball home.

Meadow reverted to playing long balls, hoping to use the wind, but Deni showed incredible bravery on a couple of occasions to own her box and collect balls at strikers feet.

In such difficult circumstances the defence were fantastic, not only looking solid against attacks, but also being threatening weapons themselves with their distribution, it was brilliant to watch and as a group they have pushed each other on so much this season. Doing all this with a smile on their faces, genuinely enjoying the game and the physical battles, is incredible to see, and they have become a brilliant unit with Deni behind them.

Tough call today for player of the match, with so many girls playing so well, but special credit goes to Sylvia who helped nurse her injured midfield teammates through the match by being very disciplined and also distributing the ball brilliantly.

Well done girls, a real banana skin of a game there, and was very impressed with how well you all applied yourselves, especially in a game starting 20 mins late.

Goals: Sophia 2, Bea, Liv
PoM: Sylvia

After a couple of easier weeks this was a proper battle. Caterham are a very strong, physical side, with a couple of excellent players, especially in midfield and at the back, and it took us a good part of the first half to get a proper foothold in the game.

We again shipped the first goal of the game when a through ball dissected the defence and a couple of missed tackles allowed their striker to prod home.

But as in previous weeks, their goal actually benefitted us more, and we now started to get into the game, playing more fluid football and taking less time on the ball before picking our passes.

Sophia got on the end of one such pass, but still had a lot to to. Turning her defender a couple of times she was able to get a shot away across the keeper which nestled into the back of the net to make things all square and scoring our 50th goal of the season in our tenth game.

There was still time for Sophia to add another before half time in a similar fashion as she held off her defender to get the shot fizzing past their keeper.

After half time things fell into a similar pattern where we tried to play out using width, but we were often thwarted as Caterham were the fist team to also employ real width against us, also often leaving wingers wide to offer options on the break, and we were also vulnerable to a counter.
A small tactical change meant we had 3 more attacking midfielders centrally, as opposed to our normal 2, and the risk paid off as Sophia bundled through their defence to coolly slip the ball past their keeper to make it 3-1.

Any idea that the game would become easier from here was simply not the case, as Caterham forged some of their best moments. Deni made an excellent save with her feet, before also clawing away a freekick that was heading for the corner. This was another really mature performance from Deni as she kept her concentration levels high to be there when we really needed her.

As the match was drawing to a close Claygate used some of their undoubted skills to make the score more comfortable. Liv showed some excellent feet to win a freekick on our left, and the returning Emilia smashed its into the roof of the net, watching its path from the ground where she had fallen!

Then, as Caterham pushed for a consolation goal, we played some of our best football of the match. With the ball in our box and facing our own goal Thea played the ball to Fleur who (in another excellent performance) had the composure to play the ball down the line via Charlotte. From here Bea had the beating of her very pacey left back, taking it all the way down the pitch before cutting in and measuring a perfectly weighted cross for Eloise to finish at the far post.

What I’d call a “proper” win today against a side who showed both grit and skill, so a very impressive result.

Goals: Sophia 3, Emilia, Eloise
PoM: Sophia and Deni

Same score line for the second week running as the girls got the measure of a tricky pitch and applied themselves brilliantly.

Whilst it can sometimes be tough to concentrate when the score is growing it was really impressive to see some strong defensive work and tracking back by the midfield.

A strong start again and we were rewarded with an early goal from Lara who beat the offside trap to be left one on one with the keeper before slotting home.

Sophia then arrived from a netball match and came on, soon starting her scoring spree with a composed finish. Bea was then played in on the right to calmly score, before Sophia added another before half time to make it 4-0.

The second half started much as the first. Sophia made a mazing run in the box and her cross was handled resulting in a penalty. Her second hattrick of the season seemed certain, although the penalty made it into the net via the opposition goalkeeper. “That’s the worst penalty I’ve ever hit” was the players own commentary, but they all count!

Whilst Guildford admirably stuck to their task we were creating chances at will. Sophia scored her fourth before Charlotte was played in by a defence splitting pass. She took a good touch to set, and then popped it in over the keeper.

Sophia made it five for her with another assured finish, before Bea scored her second of the game with another lovely strike.

Eve was getting a little worried that she wasn’t going to score this week, but she was the only one running to the far post when a ball was played across, and she calmly finished into an empty net.

Before the end Liv played in another fantastic corner which just beat Charlotte, but Eve was there again, to be the first to the ball and poke it past their keeper.

Deni then did me a massive favour by kindly letting one of my bosses daughters to score with the last kick of the game. He wasn’t there but will be getting reports back, so that may have just saved my job!

So another excellent performance with a player of the match effort from Sophia and a short cameo from the returning Emilia.

Goals: Sophia 5, Bea 2, Eve 2, Lara, Charlotte
PoM: Sophia

Back after the half term break we played a side that did the double over us last season, beating us by being more aggressive and being very good at set pieces. Turns out it doesn’t matter too much how good you are on dead balls when most of them are to restart the game, as we put eleven past them.

A much better start than recently saw us look dangerous without being able to score. Then on their first attack they played a through ball to their fast centre forward who ran through to put us 1-0 down. The response was immediate with Sophia running through tackles before pulling the trigger on a shot/cross which Lara managed to slip in from a tight angle. Our second goal was all Lara’s own work however, beating three players on the left before firing high into the net.

With the wind really in our sails we started to play some lovely football. A composed finish from Eloise, followed by two lovely strikes from Liv saw us go in at half time 5-1 to the good.

As the second half got underway the Pink Panthers got a small foothold into the match when some pin ball in the box from a corner was finished well by their central midfielder. At 5-2 we could have wobbled, but instead took the game to Walton and really turned the screw.

The impressive thing today was how the girls didn’t let up, and continued to play good football whilst also being clinical.

Lara was there to tap in a saved shot from Sophia to claim our second hattrick of the season. This landmark would soon be followed by Liv. Having won a freekick herself after some silky skills and a jag back she stepped up and launched the ball into the net. A classic “you could have had 2 goalies and it still would have gone in” sort of a goal.

Around this Eloise capped another excellent performance with her second composed finish of the game, and there were goals each for Bea, Eve and a last minute banger from Charlotte. The notable thing on all these goals was the clean striking and confidence in which they we scored, they really were impressive finishes.

So good payback from the two games last year where we were bullied. Credit to our defence and Deni for being on the ball when the oppo attacked, especially Thea who had only landed at 2am and had a great game.

Hattrick heroines Lara and Liv get the PoM this week, but a really strong performance all round as the score would suggest.

Goals: Lara 3, Liv 3, Eloise 2, Eve, Bea, Charlotte.
PoM: Lara and Liv

Colne Valley is always a tough place to play, and the weather didn’t help when trying to play football. A sow start saw us concede some early goals before Eloise made it 3-1 at half time. In the second half we were a totally different team, playing some great football and really looking in control.

Liv’s corners were proving a real weapon, and with her third Charlotte managed to get something on it to make it 3-2. Then the best bit of football in the game saw some lovely play getting the ball out to Sophia on the left. Her cross was whipped in and somehow Eloise got ahead of her defender and managed to get impressive power onto her steered shot into the bottom corner.

It felt like only one team as going to get a winner, but we were always a bit open on the break, and so it proved as Colne Valley managed to score as their striker evaded a couple of tackles and slotted underneath Deni on goal.

A shame to give up our 100% start in the league, but a much better second half should give the girls some confidence, and was a much improved effort.

There were some really solid performances, with Bea again excellent on the wing, Eloise always looking dangerous and Ellie really putting herself about the pitch. Liv also has a strong game as captain and her dead ball striking was a real highlight.

Goals: Eloise 2, Charlotte
PoM: Ellie

Back to the Cup this week against a strong Tier 2 opposition, and their quality definitely showed through. When you turn up, and the other side is sponsored by Waitrose, you know its likely to be a tough day at the office!

Having said that, the girls applied themselves brilliantly and adapted well to the tough opposition and changing tactics on the fly. After an early blitz that saw us go 3 down fairly quickly we really settled into our work. Eve scored another battling goal to make it 3-1 until a penalty near half time made it 4-1.

The second half was a similar score line, but Liv hit the bar twice, and Bea had some efforts saved, when she wasn’t being wrestled into the mud.

I think we leant a lot about the team today and certainly take some valuable lessons into the rest of the season, especially around physicality and use of space.

No ones head went down, and we battled until the last (in fact the 2 crossbar hits were right near the end). So all in all, not a result we wanted, but a performance to be very proud of and to learn a lot from.

Deni was today player of the game. She made a number of fantastic saves, but her one-on-one keeping was exceptional and showed incredible bravery.

Goals: Eve
PoM: Deni

A return to our now favourite venue saw an excellent battling performance to overcome a good, physical team. Teddington didn’t mind “mixing it” but we learnt that our girls don’t mind either as they held their own with both football style and physicality, and that will make us a very tough team to beat.

Finishing was the real difference between the two side as we were clinical in front of goal, whereas our defence closed down the opposition very successfully to snuff out any chances.

Sophia had a new pair of Crocs in her sight and they were well earnt with an excellent hattrick. She also giggled as she nutmegged an opposition player, which I thought was a nice touch :).

Bea had another strong game, scoring a great goal, and Eve again showed her tenacity with a pinball style goal which showed she just wanted it more.

Everyone contributed to an excellent performance, with Charlotte managing it on 90 mins sleep! Thea was a rock at the back and was an excellent captain for the day. Our wing backs and wingers showed great composure all match in the face of some fairly agricultural tackles and our forward line always looked like it would create chances.

But in the end, Sophia’s cool finishing made the biggest difference, picking up her first player of the match award to go with those new Crocs.

Goals: Sophia 3, Bea 1, Eve 1
PoM: Sophia

Back to the Cup today playing a team 2 divisions above us, who’d beaten a top tier side in the last round, so this performance was something special.

With a couple of midfielders away we set up differently and asked some players to do jobs they weren’t used to, but you’d never know! It really was an all round performance by the team and they should be extremely proud of themselves.

Sophia started of the scoring having already gone close twice in the game, before Eve crashed one in from outside the box. Guildford scored to make it 2-1 with a long goal kick over the top, but Bea ensured the two goal cushion was restored before half time, scoring within seconds of coming on.

The second half was a brilliant example of solid defensive play and blistering pace on the break, and Guildford didn’t really have an answer. Sophia scored her second with a crisp finish, Bea came back on and scored almost immediately again, and Lara capped a strong performance with a finish at the far post.

It really was an amazing team effort with every player giving everything on the pitch and working for each other. Ellie played a new role in central midfield and was brilliant, the defence was excellent, especially when it came to the long balls, and when the defence was breached Deni was a rock in goal and made two brilliant saves.

The work rate and effort was incredible to witness, and it was a joy to watch the girls working so well together.

Goals: Sophia 2, Bea 2, Eve, Lara
Player(s) of the Match: Bea and Ellie

Excellent footballing performance today against a team that play a very direct style.

Early possession paid off when Sophia played a precise through ball to Eloise, who picked the ball up first time before smashing it into the top corner of the net. We continued to have good amounts of the ball, and looked to move it around the pitch whenever possible, but couldn’t find another goal before the break.

In the second half Westside came out with a higher intensity and put us under a lot of pressure using high balls and direct passing. It was their best five minutes of the game and they scored with their only shot on target.

Nerves could have set in here but we continued to play in the style we’ve used this season and soon had our lead restored. Liv made a great run down the left wing, losing her defender and playing a measured pass to Sophia who lashed it in first time giving the keeper no chance.

Westside still carried some danger with long balls over the top, but the defence held a deeper line that usual, leaving very little space for this to work. Emilia and Sylvia offered great support to the defence, with Sylvia and Ellie especially working well as a pair to release pressure.

A two goal cushion arrived when the excellent Bea left her defender for dead before driving the ball across the box to find an unmarked Eloise to tap in for her second.

A really professional performance against a side who cause many teams problems. We never took a backward step and challenged for everything, highlighted by Lara throwing over one of their defenders and Emilia brushing off their midfield.

Goal: Eloise 2, Sophia.
Player of the Match: Eloise.

Cup game today and a solid win with some excellent football being played. We eased our way into the game before Sophia created some room in the box and scored our first. Lara then took a good first touch and quick finish to score her first of the season. Eloise then won a penalty, which the keeper saved, but in a similar way to last week she bounced straight back from a miss and scored soon after with a composed finish.

The second half started with some changes in position, but some really good football being played. Eve deserved her goal after a very solid game, mostly in the middle of midfield. Emilia, equally deservingly, got her first of the season, before Charlotte completed a fantastic captains performance with our sixth goal (which actually went over the line 3 times!).

Credit to the defence and goalkeeper Deni who kept their concentration for their first clean sheet of the season. Talulah particularly stood out with some solid defending coupled with superb attacking build up, and subsequently was player of the match.

Goals: Sophia, Lara, Eloise, Eve, Emilia, Charlotte.
PoM: Talulah