There was an air of anticipation at Poppleton, last seasons champions of the City of York Premiership versus champions of the City of York Championship, Poppleton Tigers V Scotton Scorchers Tigers. The game was set, Tigers v Tigers something had to give, with a place in the final at stake, game on!!!!!!.......... game off... crys of can we start again and we weren ready!!! were to no avail as Poppleton tore in to our Tigers, 2 down in about 2 minutes!! The Scorchers were shaken and stirred, it seemed like Poppleton had extra players as we were ripped apart. A quick change of tactics firmed up midfield and we were much better at protecting our defence. The girls put in huge effort to start to claw their way back in to this game, Ella left Poppleton players in her wake and as we waited for the net to bulge somehow, a last mnute tackle took the ball away to safety, Emma went close with a fine shot and had another saved by the keeper, but we just couldnt get a goal back before the interval. Half time score was 3.0. A breathless team trudged off, the girls were reminded of the key actions they had tried but failed to do and we all agreed we could get a goal and get back in this game, the next goal we knew was crucial. We wouldnt make the same mistakes and would be ready from the off, game on...... game off again!! Straight from the kick off, another goal and not the Scorchers!!!! The second half saw the girls show real determination and battling qualities, never giving up and battling for every ball, the final score was 5. 0 we could have scored a couple but we could have conceded more. We talked about learning lessons and using the experience to our benefit next season. (roll on training next season!!!)
Team - Amelia, Charlotte M, Charlotte B, Emma, Ella, Jasmine and Georgia Sub Niamh
To be fair Poppleton were great, and i dont think have lost for 2 seasons.
The friendly game was all about trying to reorganise remotivate and come out roaring!! And the girls did just that, we moved Charlotte and Charlotte in to midfield, put Emma and Ella at the back, Annabel in goal, Dumile and Niamh in attack. The game was the most open game i think we have seen this season and whilst we risked lots at the back we created lots of opportunities, how Charlotte M's attempt on goal did not go in we will never know. Poppleton were more clinical in their passing and their finishing, and found themselves 2 .0 in front. We moved things around and went back to our traditional formation, and at last the goals came, a brace from Ella, put the Scorchers back in the game and deservedly so. However Poppleton werent done and hit straight back to make it 3.2. A great game and some great things we can take in to training. Bizarre as it sounds we would like to play Poppleton again soon. The girls had a real challenge today and gave everyone a good insight in to areas we can work on. What a great season the girls have had, runners up in the league and semi final in the cup. Thanks to everyone involved with the team this season the girls have been great again in every aspect.
