Wyrley U18s Girls 3 Marston Green 1
Wyrley made it a 100% record in the league – played 18 won 18 – against a very hard working Marston Green team who were determined to spoil the party.
Despite having the lion’s share of territory and possession, Wyrley fashioned very few clear cut opportunities in the first half. Rachel Hall had a 1 v 1 with the keeper who blocked her effort and Sophie Shorrock had a couple of half chances that were quickly closed down. Marston Green’s efforts were limited to a number of corners. With Wyrley looking sluggish and Marston Green giving no space, Marston Green took the lead from a 25 yard free kick that eluded Nia Jay in goal.
This kick started Wyrley into action, with their passing game now coming to the fore. A loose ball fell to Emily Quimby, 25 yards out, and her swerving drive smashed into the net to give a 1 – 1 half time score line.
A much more attack minded Wyrley took control of the game but just could not finish in front of goal. Sophie Shorrock, who was hampered by losing her contact lens after only 20 minutes of the game, had three oportunities that just went wide or were well saved. Jemma Clews also had a couple of shots that went close and the move of the game – probably more than 15 passes from front to back – saw Quimby feed Shorrock. She backheeled to Clews who slotted the ball through to Laura Lindsay who saw her shot well saved by the excellent keeper. Laura Cumberledge caused problems on the left and her crosses were either cleared or subsequent shots claimed by the keeper.
With only 5 minutes remaining it looked like Marston Green would hold out for a brave point, but the quality and determination in this Wyrley team came to the top. A clearance from the keeper fell to Quimby just 12 metres inside her own half – she took one touch to bring under control and then let fly. The ball sailed over the keeper and into the net. The girls weren’t finished and Clews also gave an example of the qualities that runs through the side.
She received the ball 30 metres out, shifted it to her right and crashed home a magnificent shot that must have brushed the crossbar and the post – so close was it to the corner or the goal. NO keeper would have got near it – at any level of football!
The result was perhaps a little harsh on Marston Green who defended for their lives in the second half but on another day with better finishing the game would have been out of sight after 70 minutes.
Summary of the girls: –
Nia Jay – almost clawed the ball out for the goal. Had few other shots to save.
Dom McKee – mixed in a number of fine through balls with her driving runs. Showed her strength to recover the ball on a number of occasions.
Amy Marshall – worked well in tandem with Lauren and made a number of great timely interceptions
Lauren Gilbert – candidate for girl of the game with a determined performance including some crashing last ditch tackles. Came close with a header from a corner.
Cath Davis – came on after being out for 4 weeks with a broken wrist and soon slotted back into position
Leah Fanning – had a number of driving runs in the first half and also defended well.
Laura Cumberledge – her pace was used effectively and a number of low crosses could have resulted in more goals
Laura Lindsay – had two opportunities to score and put in a good shift on the wing
Beth Crook – slotted back into midfield after Sophie’s contact problem and was her busy self doing the simple stuff well
Emily Quimby – led by example and her 2 goals were tremendous
Rachel Hall – led the line well and had a couple of half chances to open the scoring
Sophie Shorrock – hampered by vision problems after being hit in the face with the ball but still had 3 opportunites that just went wide
Jemma Clews – started on the right but her quick feet and close control caused problems. And the goal? Spectacular doesn’t describe it! A goal fitting to cap off a magnificent league campaign for the girls.
Saff Hicken – an injury which I will not describe (!), meant that she was an unused substitute.
Well done girls – this is an achievement you can be rightly proud of. One that can only be equalled but not beaten.
The girls now move on to Chelmsley Town FC on Thursday evening for the Open Cup Final.
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