Scotton Scorchers welcomed Bedale U15's to Percy Fields for a friendly designed to introduce Bedale to the Harrogate League as they are planning to join the league next season. With half term holidays been taken up with skiing holidays and various other activities the U15's could only raise a team of 5 and so the two U16 players that are U15's stepped in (thanks Jayde and Becky) and 2 U13's stepped up to the 9-a-side U15 level to plug the remaining gaps (thanks Caroline and Emma).
We started with Jayde in goal, a defensive line of Honor, Lowenna and Molly with Courtney, Becky and Emma making up the strong looking but unfamiliar midfield and Emily partnering the skilful and very quick Caroline up front
With such a makeshift side it was difficult to tell how well the girls would play together, and playing against a Bedale team that have not played much competitive football but obviously have some talented footballers, both sides would be forgiven for needing to find their feet. However the game quickly settled into a pattern of attacking football with both sides playing some attractive stuff, good passing and movement and some good solid defending.
The Scorchers probably edged the first half with Emily wasting a couple of good opportunities and Caroline and Emma in particular looking dangerous despite the age gap. Jayde was kept a little too busy but looked very comfortable and there were no real dramas at the back. The only real incident of note happened towards the end of the half when Emily took a ball full in the face and had to go off and without any subs the girls had to play with 8 for 5 mins but they coped well and held on until half time.
In the second half the Scorchers continued to press for the elusive goal and from a series of corners. Emily had been patched up and was quickest to latch onto a loose ball in the crowded penalty area and she finished well from close range to make it 1-0, 5 minutes into the second half.
The Scorchers looked settled and Emma and Caroline in particular looked lively and certainly not out of their depth. Jayde (who had swapped with Courtney, created lots of width while Honor patrolled the central midfield in her usual dependable way. Becky had switched to a defensive role and looked solid and assured while she was well covered by Lowenna who played her usual solid role in the middle.
As Molly pushed forward on the left , ably covered by Emma, the team continued to pressure the Bedale defensive line and this pressure led to the second goal. The right back was forced into making a quick decision and she unfortunately tried to pass the ball inside where Caroline was quickest to it, slotting the ball to Emily who got her second of the match.
Bedale has several subs and continued to freshen up while all Scotton could do was move players around to try and find an area that they could have a short rest. The game became stretched and Bedale pressed for some consolation but the Scorchers defended resolutely and Courtney gathered everything that was thrown at her.
The final result was therefore 2-0 and a very good performance it was too. The game was played in a friendly manner and I know that Bedale will be looking forward to playing us again in the league next seaason and they will be a welcome and competitive addition the the league. Thanks to Ida who refereed her first competitive 9-a-side game, and did a great job, and well done to Caroline and Emma who shared the player of the match award for the U13's as they both played superbly well and showed that they are not out of their depth at this level at all.
