To see lots more pictures from the match, click on SlideshowThe U14s welcomed Ripon Panthers to a sunny Percy field for their final league game of the season. With both Ciara and Katy unavailable Scotton's starting line-up was Georgia, Georgie, Molly, Becky S, Becky C, Ellie, Hannah, Emma and Jayde.
Ripon kicked off, but almost immediately lost possession and then conceded a corner after Molly raced to the attack down the right wing. Though the Panthers cleared the ball from the corner, Scotton quickly took it back and a good chip from Becky S nearly gave Georgia a first chance to pounce. Another corner put further pressure on Ripon and once again the clearance was gathered by the Scorchers - this time Hannah bringing the ball forward and passing to Molly for a further run at goal.
Though the Panthers subsequently managed to break out their attack didn't get far over the half way line before being blocked by Scotton's defence, who then quickly worked the ball up to the forwards. Further pressure led to a third (well taken) corner from Georgie and a strike from Georgia which forced a save from the Ripon keeper. Within a couple of minutes good moves from Becky C to Molly and then to Becky S saw another shot sail over Ripon's bar.
The Panthers continued to search for a way down the field, but were constantly thwarted by good defensive work by Scotton and then found themselves on the back foot as Molly, Georgie and Georgia all made threatening moves. However the break came just before half time when Molly ran in from the left and took a shot at goal - though the keeper blocked the ball Becky S was on hand to score from the rebound: 1-0.
As usual a couple of changes were made at half time - Becky C going into goal, Jayde going off temporarily, and Riah coming on into midfield.
Scotton attacked from the restart, with Hannah running the ball in from the right. However the Panthers appeared to have been re-energised and play now to began see-saw up and down the pitch, with Ripon gaining two corners in the space of a few minutes. Having weathered these assaults Scotton returned to the attack, Georgia having a couple of shots which went just wide of the goal. With Jayde now coming on to join the forwards (and Emma going off) the Scorchers continued to apply pressure, leading to a run from Georgia through Ripon's defenders which culminated in a beautifully taken shot: 2-0.
Emma then came back on for Hannah and play continued in the same vein. Though Ripon continued to threaten and displayed some very good play, Scotton's defence was holding firm (Ellie in particular putting in another assured performance) and the girls were evidently intent on getting another goal. Runs from Molly were continually posing problems for the Panthers' defence, who conceded a further two corners in quick succession. Then, as the match entered it's final phase, Hannah (back on for Georgie) easily outpaced her marker with a run down the right that culminated in a shot which the keeper managed to get a hand to - but Georgia arrived to make sure of the goal: 3-0.
Though Ripon immediately attacked again, time had run out for them - the final whistle signalling the end of another entertaining clash between these two good teams.
The U14s should feel very pleased with their performance today, which was a real team effort. Moreover it assured that they finished comfortably in second place in the York League - a great achievement for their first year in this competion: Well done to both players and coaches!
Player of the Match: Hannah
