13/01/2024
WELCOME RETURN TO WINNING WAYS
Newton Aycliffe 4-6 DUFC UNDER 18’s
Today was the day when the girls were on the right end of the result after a tough end of 2023 when they were on the wrong end of a few, despite playing some really good football.
On a very heavy pitch the team stuck to what they have done all season to gain the victory over Newton Aycliffe, 4-6. Having played Newton Aycliffe earlier in the season and having given them a 2 goal start that day the girls were determined to get off to a fast start. After absorbing a bit of early pressure they started to move the ball around with confidence and began to see where the space was on the field. Jazz started to get forward from fullback creating the overlap time and time again, something she would do all afternoon in a player of the match performance.
When a free kick was awarded about 35m out Evie stepped up and it looked like she only had one idea as she fired the ball goal bound to score the opener into the top corner. Unfortunately Aycliffe found a bit of space on the counter to bring the game even but the girls were not in the mood to allow them to get back into the game. They continued to find space and got another one through Ella who has been working tirelessly all season up front and git the goal she deserved again. This was followed by Sami getting her debut goal for the club after more great work around the box. This was followed by the team creating more space through great passing and movement off the ball for Demi to break free and score the 4th.
At this stage it looked like it was all over but as we have found in this league, no teams ever give up. Aycliffe then scored from a debateable free kick which they hit sweetly and not the top corner to make it 4-2 and give them a glimmer of hope which they seized and pulled another back just before half time.
The message was clear at half time that the game would go to the team that wanted it most and that if they stuck to the plan and had the desire the game would be theirs.
Both teams came out strongly in the second half and Aycliffe clearly thought the game was there for them to win. This was shown as they broke early to score their 4th to bring the scores even. As coaches, there was little we could do but the girls reacted brilliantly and moved back onto the front foot and they kept driving each other forward. This was rewarded by Evie bagging her second as she got in front of the her defender and keeper to slot in at the near post after a great ball in from Chloe. We then witnessed one of the great saves we have seen as Aycliffe broke again and fired one to the the top corner which looked destined to be another equaliser but Neve took off, flying through the air to get a fingertip to it and push it onto the post to keep us ahead. Then we counter punched again as Evie picked up another from the edge of the box firing into the bottom corner to give us breathing space with the clock running down.
When the whistle blew there were the obvious celebrations and a sense of relief that they got the win they have been working so hard to get both at training and in matches. This was an all round team performance from the keepers through a rock solid defence who gave up on nothing and started many of our attacks. Then through midfield who worked tirelessly to close down anything that moved and pressed high to get us possession in the right areas to the attackers who did what we need them to do, work hard in the final third, win the ball high and take the chances when they come. With a bit of luck we could have scored more but we really could not ask more from what the girls put into the game today on a heavy and testing pitch.
A great start to the weekend and a positive result to move into next week when we travel to Kader who we had a great game against earlier in the season.
SCORERS
Evie Warbrick ⚽️⚽️⚽️
Ella Gulliver ⚽️
Sami Boardman ⚽️
Demi Leigh Tapping ⚽️
Player of the game: Jasmine Wells
Sponsors player of the game: Evie Warbrick
Thanks to our sponsors
Liberty Catering
Taylored-fit Physio
Burnmoor Cricket-Club
The Solan Connor Fawcett Family Cancer Trust
