The U15's lost out in the semi final of the cup away at Ilkley in what was almost a carbon copy of the league game that we had against them just a few weeks ago. These are always close matches and this was just another one of these, which could have gone to either team but unfortunately the Scorchers were the unlucky ones and were left to rue several missed opportunities.
The game started with Sam welcomed back in goal and the team lined up in familiar fashion with Molly, Lowenna and Georgina at the back, Grace, Honor and Eloise in midfield and Emily partnering Chloe up front.
The first five minutes were all Ilkley as Scotton looked slow to get started but Sam stayed firm and slowly the girls got into the game and started to compete. In the first half chances were few and far between and Ilkley had the better of the play but when Scotton won the ball in midfield we looked strong and attacked with purpose, looking dangerous.
Midway through the half Eloise had to be substituted as she was feeling unwell with Emma filling in and looking very assured at left back and Molly moving into left midfield. It was this change that led to the first goal of the game as Molly pushed forward on the left and threaded the ball to Emily who turned the defender and shot from 20 yards out. The ball rocketed into the bottom right hand corner to give the Scorchers a 1-0 lead.
Ilkley were still strong and from a quickly taken throw they found us napping at the back an the Ilkley striker took the ball on the half volley and hit an unstoppable shot into the top corner to make it 1-1 at half time.
The second half revealed a more determined Scorchers side and we dominated large parts of the game, creating lots of chances and half chances that fell to Emily, Chloe, Grace, Eloise, Molly and Honor! We did however continue to leave too much space in midfield and 10 minutes from the end Ilkley broke free and slid the ball past Sam in the one-on-one to make it 2-1.
We had 10 minutes to find the winner and with Grace pushing forward, Lowenna leaving her defensive duties to the reliable Emma and Georgina Scotton dominated the last 10 minutes as they looked for the illusive equaliser. Chances came and went, crosses went un-diverted across the face of goal, in-swinging corners tested the Ilkley 'keeper to the limit but the equaliser remained illusive. At the other end we were exposed a few times and were lucky when an Ilkley break resulted in them striking the post, but the score remained 2-1 and Scotton were out of the cup.
Player of the match was tough as there were great performances across the pitch from Sam who played very well in the first half, to Chloe who again worked incredibly hard up front. The award went to Lowenna who patrolled the defensive line well and covered when we were in trouble, but the award could have gone to any of the 10 players that we had.
