Committee | Coton FC

1 week ago

If recent history between these two teams was anything to go by, it was going to be a tight game between Coton U14 Girls and Netherton, in the game up at Peterborough this morning…and sure enough, that turned out to be the case! The first time our girls have been treated to playing on the fantastic 3G surface at The Grange, with its interesting footwear rules (no Astros on the Astro! 🤔), and with the low sun and similar kits, both groups of girls had to deal with more than just tough opposition today.

We started the first half well, and Netherton were forced back into their half for long periods, looking to hit on the break with their strong and quick forward line. Some nice passages of play from Pauline, linking with Bam and Mads, creating half chances for Shannon who shifted nicely to make space, but unable to generate enough power in her shots. Similarly on the right, Kate and Emilia linked to get Indie up and running down the wing, and her cut back crosses were causing the Netherton defenders to stay alert, but they defended strongly and calmly, and no joy that side either. Tes stood strong in the midfield, intercepting the Netherton forwards before they had time to build, and she quickly slid forward balls to Mads and Shannon. Netherton maintained a threat up top, but our backline of Ilazki alongside Anaya, with yet another outstanding performance, stood strong and Charlotte was in great form, both in charging out to the through balls and in her great kicking all game. From the bench, Alice added power and guile, and Annie was on the front foot, overlapping and linking brilliantly with our wings. For much of the first half we felt we had the upper hand, but just needed that little bit of luck, a kind bounce, and we would have edged ahead. But as it was, the half finished goalless with both teams not being able to create enough to have been able to say they deserved the lead.

2nd half and Netherton came at us all guns blazing. This was possibly the most complete performance in a half we’ve seen from them and all of their players will leave this game feeling very proud of their efforts. At times we just could not live with them, and had it not been for some great defending from Emilia, Tes, AJ, Bam and Annie, plus alertness from Cha, they could have been out of sight. Just as we felt we’d weathered the storm and were starting to turn the game, failure to clear our lines properly and we conceded a soft corner. This was whipped in brilliantly to the danger area and we were only watching as the Netherton forward glanced her header into the back of our net. There wasn’t long left on the clock but enough to get back in the game. Now we came to life, but was it too late? Pauline and Mads, were running the middle now. India was a live wire and had the beating of her fullback, but we struggled to slip the right ball into her runs. On the other side, Kate first tried to beat the outstanding Netherton left back, then Ilazki, but it wasn’t coming. All the questions we asked, Netherton had the answers. However in Alice we have a player with incredible potential and she showed us another glimpse today, blasting through their backline, so rapid when at full speed, but with the keeping coming out, her outside of the foot effort narrowly and agonisingly went wide of the post. We were really pressuring them now. An effort from distance, saved. The rebound cleared away. 2nd ball fired back in. What did we need to do to get our goal? 3rd ball cleared, but only as far as Indie. Finally a bit of luck! The one player you’d put your house on and she didn’t disappoint. Thundering an unstoppable shot that didn’t dip all the way to the back of the net. That right foot is a weapon! The Netherton bench sank. They’d seen this before, and there were only minutes left on the clock. But their players did not sink. No, they kept pressing us, kept pressing. And righting the wrong from our encounter earlier in the season pounced upon and caused a succession of indecision by too many of our players and their striker was in behind to slide in her effort and send their bench wild again. We continued to battle but we were out of time and first points dropped of the season, you have to say though - a cracking game of football, even if this time the result wasn’t in our favour!

So, the league is back open, with 4 teams still sniffing for that top spot, and the rest of the clubs there to keep us all honest. Any hopes of a procession are over, and game on for the title! 👍⚽️ ... See MoreSee Less