The U14’s got back into competitive action after a long lay-off
over the wet winter with a 7-0 victory over a very spirited Wetherby side.
The game started without Honor who injured her ankle
in the warm up, an injury which would mean that she could take no part in the
game. Luckily Jayde and Becky were able
to be drafted in at short notice so the Scorchers started with a reasonably well
balanced side. Sam was in goal, our
usual and very solid back three of Molly, Lowenna and Georgina holding the
defence, Grace, Catherine and Eloise, supported from the bench by Becky, making up a very energetic and attacking
midfield with Emily joined up front with Jayde in Chloe’s absence.
The first half started with both sides being competitive and
battling for the ball in midfield.
Wetherby showed that they were not here to let Scotton run riot and the
early exchanges were tough and required patience. Scotton carved out the best chance with Emily
shooting wide from 15 yards and Jayde repeating the feat a few minutes later.
Midway through the first half the deadlock was broken when
a perfectly weighted through ball was latched onto by Emily who was not to be denied
this time and she hit the back of the net with confidence.
This was the signal for Scotton to push forward and pressure the Wetherby defence. Eloise was seeing a lot of the ball and making good use of it while Georgina, Molly and Lowenna tidied up everything that came their way to leave the Scotton goal unscathed.
Scotton’s attacking style resulted in several corners on the
right and from one Emily put the ball into the 6-yard box, this was cleared by
the Wetherby defence but Eloise was on hand to shoot low into the bottom right
corner from 12 yards to make it 2-0 at half time.
In the second half Jayde replaced Sam in goal with Sam
initially partnering Emily up front.
This partnership paid dividends almost immediately as Sam put several
great through balls into the path of her striking partner. From one of these Emily was forced wide by
the defender but she neatly turned to create some space and then curled the
ball past the ‘keeper to make it 3-0.
This was followed almost immediately with Emily latching on
to yet another through ball and easily putting the ball past the ‘keeper to
make it 4-0 and to complete her hat-trick.
Play restarted and within 2 minutes Emily had her fourth goal in an
almost carbon copy of her first to make it 5-0.
It was a 10 minute burst that killed the game off and was a bit unfair
on Wetherby who competed well all afternoon, but it showed what a great
football side we can be when we pass the ball and move the opposition out of
position.
The team was shuffled around at this point to give players the
chance to play in less familiar positions, with Catherine and Eloise both
playing in attack, Becky playing in all three midfield positions and Emily playing
at right back.
It was another Emily corner that led to Eloise getting her
second in very similar fashion to her first to make it 6-0 and Emily then
rounded off a great afternoon with another run away goal from midfield this
time, going round the defence to complete a 7-0 scoreline.
Overall the team looked organised, well balanced and
inventive, something that we have been working hard on during the weeks where
the weather put paid to any plans for playing competitive football. Today proved that this hard work has paid off
and the Scorchers looked like a force to be reckoned with.
Special mention to Jayde and Becky who both, as usual, made a significant impact on the game, to Catherine who played one of her best matches for the Scorchers in an unfamiliar central midfield role and Lowenna who had an outstanding game at the heart of the defence to keep the Wetherby side to just one shot on goal in the whole game. Player of the match had to go to Emily however with a 5 goal haul and assists for the other two. It was a day for the strikers but one which the whole team can be proud of their contribution.
