Girls edged out in nail-biting final
Our u13 Girls headed to K Sports Cobdown on Sunday for the final of the Tina Marshall Trophy. Facing Welling United Blues, our girls got off to a dominant start, playing some fluent football and rarely looking troubled at the back. Top scorer Frankie put the Eagles ahead after 20 minutes, but the girls went in at halftime feeling they should have been more than 1-0 up.
The second half was a slightly different story, as the physical strength of Welling started to show in the searing heat. Eagles were still creating chances, but Welling were looking more of a threat as the match went on. Heartbreakingly, with just three minutes left on the clock, the pressure finally told and Welling took advantage of a goalmouth scramble to take the game to extra time.
Having given the game everything, the Eagles were looking tired in extra time, though still managed to carve out a couple of good chances to win the game. But just as managers were starting to plan their penalty takers for the shootout, Welling scored another scrappy goal to clinch the trophy. It was incredibly harsh on the Eagles, who for much of the contest had looked the better side, but congratulations to Welling who we hope to see next season in Division 3.
Squad: Elsie Clark, Martina O’Hanley, Roisin Higgins, Zosia Kee, Matilda Evans, Rosie Robinson, Georgia Crossley, Ruby Davis, Lexi Gibbs, Izzy Goodman, Sophie Clarke, Casey Gauden, Emma McInnes, Flora Porter, Frankie Pearton
A big consolation however, was that the team were presented with the league winners trophy after the match. It’s been a magnificent season for the girls, who have improved as a team far beyond everyone’s expectations. The league title is a testament to a season of consistent hard work, brilliant football and exceptional team spirit.
Photography by Stuart Woods, Zero Three Photography
