Scotton started with Georgia, Molly, Georgie, Ciara, Emily B, Becky C, Hannah, Riah, Jayde in goal and (with Ellie and Becky S abroad) Emily T called up from the U14s as reserve.
From the outset it looked like this was going to be a fast moving game, with Scotton attacking, Fulford responding and then the Scorchers regaining possession and racing down the field again. Then, after less than ten minutes of this rapid to-and-froing, a well taken corner from Georgie found Ciara who stabbed the ball into the net: 1-0.
Scotton sought to capitalise on this advantage from the restart, pushing forward and enabling Georgia to have a shot at goal that led to another corner - only for Fulford to take possession and attack in turn. However Becky, Riah and Hannah were working well at the back, marking and tackling effectively before passing or running the ball forward, leading to further strikes from Georgie and Emily B. A ball in the face then led to Molly being temporarily subbed by Emily T, as Fulford redoubled their efforts to score - and came close with first a lob that was caught by Jayde and then a free kick that saw a powerful shot go just right of Scotton's goal.
With Molly back on the last ten minutes of the half saw play see-saw up and down the pitch with first one side then the other threatening, but the respective defences held up well and the tally remained 1-0 at the break.
The second half commenced with a few changes - Riah and Jayde swapping places and Emily T coming on for Emily B. Scotton started positively and were quickly moving the ball around well, with a pass from Hannah finding Georgie who unleashed a shot that forced a good save from the Foxes' keeper. However Fulford were also showing impressive skills and eventually one of their speedy forwards caught the Scorchers' defence slightly off guard, running clear to score a well taken goal: 1-1.
Rather than putting a dampener on things this setback appeared to galvanise the Scotton girls, who redoubled their efforts and put together a series of moves from Molly, Georgie, Georgia and Emily T which culminated in Emily neatly putting the ball away for a second goal: 2-1. Then a few minutes later Riah sent a long goal kick down the field which was pushed forward by Georgie and then lobbed beautifully past the Foxes' keeper by Georgia: 3-1.
With the bit now well and truly between their teeth the Scorchers continued to pressure Fulford, who cleared from one corner only to see the ball lobbed back by Becky C, leading to a further corner which was (once again) well taken by Georgie. To their credit the Foxes continued to respond, surging down the pitch in the last minute of the match for a final shot at goal - but to no avail, with the score standing at 3-1 as the whistle blew to end the game.
Once again this was an enthralling contest between these two skillful sides, played at a tremendous pace and with great attitude from both teams, which was a pleasure to watch.
Players of the Match: Georgia and Emily T
