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Despite a gutsy and skilful performance today's encounter saw the U14's exit the York Cup at the hands of a very good Poppleton side.
With their usual starting line-up of Georgia, Molly, Georgie, Ciara, Riah, Becky S, Ellie, Hannah and Jayde, Scotton came out strongly and within a couple of minutes a lovely flick from Georgie gave Georgia a first opportunity to have a shot at goal. Though Poppleton immediately ran the ball back up the field Scotton quickly regained possession and further strikes at goal followed, but each time these were blocked by the Tigers' keeper.
With a strong wind causing some difficulties the game now entered a bit of an impasse, with neither side able to get an edge over the other. Each time Poppleton attacked they were thwarted by Scotton's back four, who then played long balls down the field (Ellie being prominent here) only to see any movement blocked by the Tigers' defence.
However this situation couldn't continue for long and once again a good ball from Georgie freed Georgia, who beat her marker and came agonisingly close to scoring with a shot which went just left of the post. This then seemed to energise the Poppleton players, who began to put some better moves together and to look more threatening - shots going over and across Scotton's goal within the space of a couple of minutes. Play then ebbed and flowed up and down the pitch, but there was still no score at either end as the whistle blew for half time.
Given the way things were progressing no changes were made at the break, and the second half started positively for Scotton. Though Poppleton came out on the attack and forced a save from Jayde, the Scorchers immediately countered with Georgia again coming close to scoring. Molly then battled her way up the field and another shot from Georgia came close to target. However as the half progressed the Tigers gradually began to increase the pressure, moving the ball around well and eventually gaining a corner from which a great shot found the back of Scotton's net: 1-0.
Galvanised by this setback the girls redoubled their efforts - Ellie, Hannah, Riah, Becky and Ciara constantly getting the ball forward, and Georgie, Molly and Georgia fighting towards the Tigers' goal. However though Scotton created further chances, Poppleton now seemed to be reading the game better and managing to isolate Georgia, who found herself chasing the ball against several defenders every time it was passed forward. For their part the Tigers were taking every opportunity to attack - and arriving in droves when they did. Heartbreakingly this late run of play culminated in a second goal for Poppleton just before full time.
Naturally the girls were disappointed at this turn of events - they'd worked doggedly every minute of the match, had more than equalled Poppleton for most of the game, and could definitely feel unlucky not to have got at least one goal. However they shouldn't feel too downhearted - they'd contributed to an exciting fixture that was a pleasure to watch, had earned the respect of the Tigers' coaches, and had left both parents and Andy feeling extremely proud of them.
Player of the Match: The Whole Team
