HEADLEY YOUTH ALL STARS 6 – 1 READING GIRLS WHITES

(Sub: Chloe Smith)

It was an early start in Headley for this cup semi final with both teams keen to get through to the final for the second successive year.  Headley had the better of the early play but Shanna, Charlotte and Milly were strong and cleared any danger away.  Whites won a corner which fell to Beth unmarked, a yard in front of goal but she put it over the bar.  Jade then had a chance but the Headley defence came across and cleared the danger.  Headley then attacked knocking the ball towards the goal, it hit the crossbar and bounced back down to a Headley girl for an easy tap in, leaving Ella with no chance and they took the lead (1-0).  White tried not to let their heads drop but the hard surface and bouncing ball was proving difficult for them to get it down and play their football.  Headley took a chance from the half way line, which bounced horribly in front of Ella and over her head into the goal (2-0).  Charlotte was then deemed to have handled the ball in the area and the referee awarded a penalty which Headley confidently converted (3-0). (Charlotte off/Chloe on).  Headley still pushed forward with a girl through on her own but this time Ella produced an outstanding save to deny her.  Again, Headley attacked knocking the ball into the box, Ella came out and scrambled to save it but couldn’t hold it, then Shanna didn’t clear and Headley persisted and knocked the ball into the net (4-0).  (Shanna off/Charlotte on).  Chloe then had a chance but the Headley keeper saved.  Headley then won a corner which swung in and unfortunately Milly couldn’t control and knocked it into her own net at the near post (5-0).  (Beth off/Shanna on).  Ella then saved another Headley chance with her legs.  (Charlotte off/Beth on).  From defence Milly passed the ball forward to Chloe, who battled past her marker and shot (5-1).  Beth then passed wide to Jade, she passed on to Chloe but this time their defence got back to clear.  Beth and Jade took shots from distance but the Headley keeper easily collected both.  Beth, Charlotte and Shanna were now suffering with injuries and Whites went into the break with the daunting task of scoring five more goals without conceding in the second half.

Half time:  Headley Youth All Stars 5 – 1 Reading Girls Whites

Second half

Whites came out positively and Beth drove forward past several players, but Headley cleared for the corner, Melissa swung in the corner and Beth shot wide.  At the other end Headley had a chance but Ella didn’t hold and the Headley player touched the ball into the net (6-1).  Whites kept trying with Melissa passing through to Jade then on to Chloe in the centre but a Headley defender got back to clear.  (Chloe off/Charlotte on (upfront!).)  Headley had a corner which came off the post and Melissa cleared it from danger.  (Charlotte off/Chloe on).  Headley tried another shot from distance producing another great save from Ella forcing a corner.  Headley won a corner and a great block by Milly clearing the danger.  (Jade off/Charlotte on).  Melissa slotted the ball through to Charlotte forcing the Headley defender to tackle her for a corner.  From midfield Beth passed on to Chloe whose shot was saved. (Chloe off/Jade on).  Whites found it hard to play well in the second half with the ball bouncing from one goalkeeper to the other and their injuries taking the toll.

Full time:   Headley Youth All Stars 6 – 1 Reading Girls Whites

Whites: Ella, Charlotte, Shanna, Beth, Melissa, Jade,  Milly, Chloe Smith(1)

LS