The U14’s second league game of the season was another exciting match, played in cold and blustery conditions at Ripon’s Hell Wath ground.
The first fifteen minutes of the game saw play see-sawing up and down the pitch, with Molly, Becky S and Georgie moving the ball up to Georgia and Ripon providing plenty of work for Ellie, Hannah, Becky C and Emma with determined counter attacks. A Ripon corner was followed by a break-out by Molly with Becky S then taking the ball through Ripon’s defense – but within minutes the run of play had changed again and a further attack by the Panthers led to a shot which just beat Jayde in goal: 1-0 to the Panthers.
Scotton responded immediately, with Georgia having a near miss from a good attacking move. Over the next few minutes possession continued to change with chances at both ends – a Ripon strike was blocked by Hannah and a shot from the rebound caught by Jayde - Scotton regained the ball and Georgia battled her way towards the Ripon goal – Becky S took up the attack and then Ripon surged back to force another good save from Jayde.
As half time approached Becky C came off and Riah joined the game. Gradually Scotton’s attack piled pressure on the Panthers’ defence – in the space of five minutes a shot from Georgia was followed by one from Georgie, another from Molly and then two more from Georgia. In the dying seconds Georgia surged forward again, forcing the Ripon keeper to come out and block her as the whistle went.
A quick reappraisal at the break led to a change of formation for the second half, with Riah going into goal; Ellie, Hannah and Becky S in defence; and Georgie, Molly, Katie and Jayde in attack with Georgia at the front. Scotton immediately took the game to Ripon, with a good effort from Jayde and then another skillful move from Georgia which at last saw the ball in the back of the net - only to be judged offside! Undaunted by this setback the Scorchers pushed forward once more - a penalty in front of the Ripon goal offered the chance of an equaliser, but again luck was against Scotton as the ball went over the bar. Determined as ever, the girls attacked once more - only for Georgia to be brought down for another penalty. As Georgia limped off the pitch (with Becky C coming on again) Georgie cooly stepped up and scored a well-deserved goal: 1-1.
It was clear that Scotton now had the bit between their teeth and once again drove towards the Ripon goal, with Georgie having yet another good shot. Shorty after the ball was being taken forward by Hannah when an unfortunate high-speed collision led to her having to leave the field, at which point Georgia rejoined the game.
The Panthers then proved that they were still a force to be reckoned with, taking the play to Scotton, gaining a corner and having a shot at goal which forced a good save from Riah.
Scotton then surged forward again, with good moves from Becky C, Molly and Georgia leading to two strikes in quick succession from Georgia – one of which came off the post. Then twenty-fiveminutes into the second half Molly picked up the ball, ran the length of the pitch past a number of Ripon players, and finished with a beautifully taken strike that beat the Panthers’ keeper: 1-2.
To their credit the Ripon girls continued to come back at Scotton, but to no avail. As the last few minutes approached Katie came off and Jayde came back on, and then Molly got the ball again and raced towards the Ripon goal: It looked like it was going to be a repeat of her previous run, but this time the Panthers keeper pulled off a very good save just before the whistle went for full-time.
This was another excellent performance by the U14s, who showed great determination and considerable skill in finally overcoming a very good Ripon side, in a fast-moving game that was thoroughly enjoyed by the supporting parents.
Player of the match: Molly.
