Congratulations girls!!!The Scorchers U11 Tigers are York Chamionship League Champions!!!!
So it came to the last match of the league season, with the Scorchers needing to win their final game to ensure the league was theirs. Anything other than a win was sure to hand the title to Cayton Corinthians who had been on a tremendous run. But the win was more finely balanced than that with Scorchers opponents Stamford Bridge having the possibility of sharing the Championship if they beat Scotton and Cayton only managed a draw, so it was GAME ON!!!.
Not for the faint hearted as the game got underway with Stamford Bridge making some early attacking play and the Scorchers with the knowledge that Stamford Bridge had beaten Scotton 2 goals to nil earlier in the season, supporters and coaches held their breath!
Stamford had the best of the opening chances with Amelia making an early save to settle the nerves, great distribution ensured Scorchers got the ball out early and set the team on the offensive. Stamford were set up with three defenders and looked determined to keep a clean sheet, Charlotte Bowe attacking down the left wing showed great vision getting the ball across to Ella and Emma, with Niahm in the holding midfield role cutting out the Stamford Bridge attacks. Olivia and Charlotte were solid in defence even under pressure and turned defence in to attack very effectively. With the game evenly balanced the Scorchers went ahead as Ella with one of her trademark runs left the defence for dead and smashed the ball past the keeper, huge sighs of relief all round!!!
Half time and decision time, stick with the current plan, hold on and defend, or go out and go for more goals but risk conceding. So the team went back out unchanged. From the whistle Stamford pushed 3 players in to attack and tried to get an early goal, with end to end play it was the Scorchers who got the goal with Ella again giving the keeper no chance to make it 2. The Scorchers seemed to relax and began to look the stronger team, Stamford never gave up but it was a cross from the left that Emma managed to loop over the keeper and in to the net to make it 3. A fourth goal this time with a good shot from the edge of the box from Charlotte B ensured the victory and the league title!!! Georgia, Alice and Beth all came off the bench to play their part, defending the lead and ensuring no goals were conceded, all three being key the previous week in the victory against Wetherby. A great cheer met the final whistle as the girls celebrated their success.
The dramatic game was followed by a friendly match with honours finishing even at nil nil. Beth volunteered to have a go in goal and did really well pulling off some fine saves, Alice at left then right back demonstrated what a great player she is becoming with numerous clearances and tackles and Georgia who plays with real comitment and energy in every game. Amelia ran the midfield and showed her versatility with great attacking and defensive play. Niahm played as a striker with Emma and Charlotte M and Olivia played in midfield playing out of their normal roles. Charlotte B and Ella also tried different roles succesfully and the game concluded with the Tigers not losing a single friendly all season!! Watch out for some stats on the Tigers season and we have the cup game to come on the 19th March and hopefully another game or two before the tournament on Sunday June 12th and maybe a surprise or two to come!!!
Thanks to Stamford Bridge for a great game, Lee our referee, Vince our parents rep and all the parents who have supported the girls this season.
