Season opener of 2022/23
Stockport 19-5 Norbury/Cheadle -- 25.09.2022
Scorers:
Effy - 5
Amber - 2
Isla - 3
Pheobe - 2
Grace - 3
Abbie - 1 ( Dad birthday goal)
Carys - 3
An excellent start to the season for the U13s!!
We had 18 players show up to play including a contingent from the U11s stretching their skills. Amber opened the scoring for Stockport and they quickly took control of the first quarter with Isla and Carys notching two a piece. Millie didn't have it easy at the defensive end as the combined team pushed back got a few shots off bagging one goal. N/C found it very hard to move towards goal as the whole team was defending so well. Practice pays off! This would set the tone for the rest of the game.
Effy stepped it up a gear in the second quarter and launched two in the oppositions net and Pheobe (U11) soon followed suit and got the eighth for the Blues in the newly sponsored shirts - Deans Court Chambers. N/C came back strong and chalked up another three bring the score to 8-4.
Millie SM was doing a sterling job and made a couple of cracking saves one of which launched of her helmet getting gasps from the crowd, in between mouth fulls of bacon and sausage and gulps of delicious tea and coffee(cheers Doe).
Grace nailed her first goal of the regular season and Carys also found the net. The girls were playing out of their skin stopping most offensive challenges and hunting down loose balls. Emily and Eva were showing class in defence with textbook form. 10-4 second quarter.
Pheobe obviously fancied her chances of a second one a created a the 11th goal herself after a nifty dodge. The ball was being moved well and the girls were getting into space which has been worked on during the Tuesday sessions.
Another strength which was evident was the speed at which we were able to clear the ball. Pippa scooped some excellent ground balls in the defensive end and used her speed and drive to fly down the sideline and complete passes into the attacking third. Iris (U11) also showed off her speed (fastest PERSON in year five - lets see if she can keep it up in year six) by scooping a ground ball and clearing one handed.
Grace new that she if she pushed on she would snag a couple more and she secured the 12 goal. N/C were showing a little dejection at this point as they were really struggling to break down the Stockport defence. Milly S was stopping drives to goal and was confident the Millie SM would stop any shots. Claudia and Eve C (U11) were having solid games getting stuck in all over the field, frustrating the opposition.
Isla was leading from the front and stuck away the 13th goal. Isla showed great confidence defensively and offensively the entire game.
The 14th goal wasn't far away and it was only fitting that Abbie bagged it for her Dad's Birthday! The shell shocked N/C were now feeling the pace of the game and the strength in depth of the Stockport squad. Effy capitalised on this and racked up 2 more taking it to 16-4. Norbury got one back after a rebound of Mille SM but they were facing an uphill struggle. Silky skills and commitment from everyone including Lilly-May Liv and Lilly-May Leo kept N/C to just one goal in the third and let Amber get her second which nearly broke the post!!
The 4th quarter saw a slightly slower pace and N/C weren't able to find the net. Sienna took over the goalie position with a pit-stop change into the goalie gear and she stood strong between the posts after and excellent outfield performance. Jaya battled the whole game, tirelessly fighting for ground balls and displaying her proficiency and mastery of the 'check'! Effy snuck in her 5th and Grace confidently closed the deal on her 3rd bringing the score to 19-5.
The scoreline doesn't reflect the competitive nature of the game. Both teams did themselves proud. I think all the parents and supporters from all three clubs found it enjoyable to watch from the sun soaked pavilion.
Thank you to Phil J for umpiring, Rosie for coaching, Doe and Rob in the kitchen, Fullerton father daughter combo on the score sheet, my little helpers on the score board and the parents for helping set up and take down the pitch furniture.
Roll on Oxton at home on the 9th October.
