Today's league fixture saw the U14s away to Stamford Bridge - fortunately the previous day's howling gale had abated and Stamford's slightly inclined pitch was found to have drained well.
Scotton started the match with the slight advantage of the slope, and with Jayde in goal; Emma, Ellie and Hannah in defence; Becky C linking with Ciara and Georgia up front; and Becky S and Georgie on the wings.
Scotton immediately took the game to Stamford, gaining a corner within the first couple of minutes. Stamford pushed back, but constant pressure from Scotton saw chances gradually being created (with a particularly good move between Georgie and Georgia being thwarted by the offside rule) culminating with a first goal from Georgia after twelve minutes. Shortly after the re-start Scotton attacked again and the Stamford goalie was unable to hold onto the ball, enabling Georgia to pounce and strike to bring the score to 0-2.
Despite being two goals down the Stamford girls came back strongly and the rest of the half saw play see-sawing up and down the pitch (and Riah coming on for a time in place of Becky C). However good team work by the Scorchers (including skilfull moves by Becky S and Georgie, timely tackling and passing by Ellie, safe clearances by Emma, and a good run by Hannah) kept Scotton in front. Then just before half time a sprint from Ciara led to the ball coming back to Georgie, who unleashed a great shot from well outside the box that beat the keeper and brought the score to 0-3.
By this time the Stamford girls could have been showing signs of despondency, but whatever was said to them during the break evidently had an effect as they came out for the second half thoroughly revitalised. Within minutes Riah (now in goal for Jayde, who had come out to join the attack) was being forced to make saves. Scotton immediately responded and Georgia came close to scoring again with a very good header, only for the initiative to pass back to Stamford who gained a corner and shortly after a first goal.
Stung by this change of fortune the Scorchers surged back up the field to once again target the Stamford goal - first a lobbed shot from Jayde came close and then Georgia struck to bring the score to 1-4.
Play then ebbed and flowed from one end to the other, with great running from the midfield and forwards (Georgie being particularly tireless in moving from attack to defense and back) and further shots from Jayde, Georgia and Ciara either just missing or being saved by the agile Stamford keeper (who put in an extremely impressive performance throughout the match). For their part the Stamford girls kept battling to regain possession and finally worked a move that led to a well-earned second goal.
In the last few minutes Scotton again came close to scoring but the tally remained at 2-4 as the final whistle blew.
Scotton can feel very pleased with their performance today, but both sides contributed to a thoroughly entertaining game which was a pleasure to watch.
Player of the match: Georgie.
