COVID-19 | Coton FC

3 hours ago

Coton U14 Girls made the long trip over to Wellingborough to play Rushden and Diamonds this morning, with only 11 players in a (mostly) fit condition to play, and both unwell India and Tesni available on the bench to cover if absolutely needed. With both teams undefeated in the first few games this season, this encounter was a top of the table clash with the winner eyeing the driving seat for the season ahead.

Diamonds won the toss and elected to swap ends, and make our girls play slightly into the rising sun, on the massive pitch at the Old Grammarians Memorial Sports Field. We kicked off and did a good job of keeping the ball for the early stages as we found our feet and understood the space available on the pitch. Pauline, still on the recovery from last week, made some early runs down the left and in behind the Diamonds defence, but Alice and Lexie were unable to convert her cutbacks. AJ and Mads held a high line and any balls played in behind for the speedy Diamonds forwards were neatly collected in by an alert Cha. Kate, who missed most of the week of school through illness was putting in a fantastic performance, charging everywhere and winning everything. Alice has been amazing in all the games so far, and was the same today, constantly pressuring the Diamonds back line, giving them no time to build from the back. Pauline needed a minute to recover and came off, with India filling in. Poor Indie, under the weather, was unable to get her runs going today, as she would have had a field day on this big pitch otherwise. Lexie, making her first start in a Coton shirt, with pace and creativity down the right side continuously caused the Diamonds defence problems. Shannon and Ilazki interchanged passes and their exceptional close control and movement was a joy to watch as we moved through the gears in midfield. At left back, Bam was really on her game today, pressing high, always an outlet to recycle, and defensively solid to nullify the threat down the Diamonds right. On the right, Katty (also shaking off illness) put in a player of the game performance, using her pace to manage a very rapid Diamonds winger, always first to the ball, and calmly supporting the build up play with Lexie down our right or inside to Kate and Ilazki. She had a great game last week, but this tops it - well done Katty! Mads and AJ were never really troubled in the first half, both putting in very strong performances to keep the Diamonds forwards at bay. Lia, as ever, provided the conversation and light entertainment on the bench. A late challenge as we pushed forward, but no advantage, meant a free kick on the edge of the centre circle. Mads stepped up from centre back to fire it into the box, with Alice, Lexie and Shannon hovering. Kate and Ilazki took up a positions on the edge of the box, occupying their midfielders and distracting from Pauline’s clever cross field run. As the ball went in, Diamonds scrambled to clear, but Pauline was first to it, with a cheeky back-heal for Shannon to clip over the defence leaving a diving keeper to palm into her own net, and give us the lead. As the half drew to a close, Tes came on at the back which gave Mads an opportunity to move into a more attacking position and give us a hint of what was to come after the break.

Both teams began the second half brightly. AJ was called upon to make some big last ditch tackles to avoid their forwards being in on goal. Cha came out well to collect and her distribution was on point, kicking and throwing out well on the big pitch. Alice went high and gave their sweeper no time to build. With Mads upfield we were taking more risks, but the reward came quickly; back-to-goal on the edge of their area, Mads rolled the defender and struck a Worldie that the keeper had no chance with, sailing over everyone and dropping into the far side of the net. A cushion! The goal noticeably relaxed our girls and we started to play some of the best football we’ve seen so far this season…and keep in mind this is against a brilliant team who will be up at the top end of the table for the rest of the season. Hopefully with us too!! Next up was Lexie, never giving up and pressuring to win a loose ball on the edge of the box, she was in behind and thundered her shot past the keeper to put us 3 ahead. The game was much closer than a 3-0 though so the question was, could we hang on? Diamonds switched it up a bit and started to see more of the ball. The pitch had taken its toll and our team were tiring now. But we were still living dangerously, pressing for more goals and suddenly Diamonds were in behind us with a cool finish and reminder that this game was far from over. With their tails up, Diamonds hunted for that all important 2nd which would take this game into a super-stressful final 10 mins. Multiple corner, balls bouncing in our box, blocks by AJ, clearances by Katty, balls hacked away by Ilazki and Cha there to dive on the loose balls. This wasn’t the relaxed finale to a great game of football we were hoping for!! Time for Mads to drop back in and slow the game. Those final minutes were slow to tick but we had made it!

Aside from the win, which is always nice, we had been treated to a properly impressive game of football, with technique, skill, tempo, vision, and commitment across the park from both teams. A pleasure to play Rushden and Diamonds, who made us feel welcome and, whilst might be a little disappointed with the result, can only be massively proud of their team who are clearly a fantastic group of young women. We will see them again for another great game back at Coton in a few months! 👍⚽️ ... See MoreSee Less

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Amazing match summary as usual. Thx!

Coton Football Club

1 week ago

Coton U14 Girls took on St Ives at the Rec today in what turned out to be a dominant performance by our girls. St Ives showed spirit and endeavour, but there was a noticeable gulf between the teams and our midfield of Shannon, Mads, Kate and Ilazki were on top form again.

The game started with both teams probing and figuring each other out. Our injury-hit group were without any subs today except for snuffly Tesni, hoping to sit this one out if possible. And nice to see Lia and Emilia in attendance even if unable to play yet. Still, it wasn’t long before a nice exchange of passing in the middle freed up Indie to cut in on her left foot and strike the ball high over the keeper into the far side of the goal. Top quality finish! Alice was into the action with a shot that caught the outside of the post to deflect out. Our midfield was ticking nicely, with Shannon and Mads winning the 50/50’s and Ilazki with some impressive footwork as we worked the ball out to Pauline or Indie in some nice passing moves. Kate and Pauline exchanged passes and Alice’s run took the defence away from India who’d found space on the edge of the box to thunder in a strike that gave the keeper no chance. Our girls continued the pressure, but the St Ives defence upped their game and they started to put together some moves of their own, getting in behind Annie but Cha was quickly out to collect. Ilazki took a pop shot from the edge, and another Alice shot hit the other post this time. Mads fed the ball to India who won a corner after forcing a sliding block by the St Ives defender. Indie’s pinpoint corner was met by Mads on the half volley for her first goal of the season. A stunner! More pressure from our girls with efforts by Pauline, Ilazki, Kate, and Alice, but the St Ives keeper did well. Now some quick feet by India and a late tackle gave the ref no choice but to point to the spot. Indie duly dispatched the penalty to bring up her first-half hat-trick! As the clock ticked down we kept up the pressure, with our defence quick to the challenge and the midfielder’s continually creating chances for our forwards. Indie was in again for the shot which the keeper could only parry back into the path of Kate who smashed in before the halftime whilst blew.

2nd half and we were straight back to where we left off. Ilazki’s quality control and turn in the middle, and ball slipped in to Mads for a run and left-foot banger of a shot and her second of the game. More quality from Ilazki, but now a foul quite far out and an opportunity for St Ives to get a shot on our goal. Their player struck it hard, but was well watched out by Charlotte. 6 behind, though St Ives showed no sign of giving up, pressuring down our left side, but calm work by Bam, AJ and Cha and still no way through. Shannon was first to everything in the middle and really on her game, but India was having a tougher time of it this half, after a tactical shift by St Ives had her up against a blazingly fast defender. Annie was strong to the ball giving the St Ives forwards a tough morning. Kate did well out wide and sent a ball teasingly across the St Ives area for Pauline to run on to, but her effort under pressure went just wide. Time to get AJ some time in the middle with Mads dropping into our back three. Straight into the action AJ lifted a long lobbed effort over everyone, with time standing still and the St Ives keeper stranded, but the ball landed on the topside of the net and out. Good hold up from Alice and ball back to Bam for a long shot that their keeper parried out. From the resulting Indie corner, Shannon arrived a bit early and couldn’t direct her trademark flick on target. Now AJ was winning everything in the middle. Bam sent a ball up the line for Pauline to chase but the St Ives defender did well and Pauline fell awkwardly twisting her knee. Not another injury and trip to A&E! After a long stoppage the game restarted with Tes at Centre back. Alice was having a stormer and Mads was on fire; a brilliant Alice turn to feed a Mad’s run, but her effort sailed just wide. Another Mads attempt from distance and forcing a diving save from the keeper. On the goal line Mads skipped in and cut a ball back, but Shannon, Kate and India couldn't find the finish. Mads in again but her left foot shot was saved by the keeper. A St Ives attack was well broken down by Tes, and on to Bam to send a ball back into the middle. Flicked through to Alice whose strong play, turn and shot across the keeper was a popular, and well deserved goal. Both sets of girls had done really well, but were starting to tire now in the sun. But then some patient pressure on the edge of the St Ives box with a ball across to India, and her smashed shot on edge of box for her fourth! Almost over now. More Coton possession. Tes to Ilazki. Out to Mads, one two with AJ but Mads had drifted offside. Another ball worked across the box for an India shot, pushed away for Shannon to recover and dance inside for a good block by the keeper and that final whistle.

There will be harder tests for the girls this season, and equally St Ives will have easier games, but the St Ives players kept us honest today and they can be proud. We were made to play good football in order to get this win, rather than what can often be the case of slipping into bad habits against a weaker team. A good game overall and our girls are starting to find their stride and consistency now. We wish Pauline a swift recovery! Best of luck to St Ives for their upcoming fixtures and we go again next week against league leaders Rushden and Diamonds 👍⚽️ ... See MoreSee Less

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Another great write up , well played girls, it’s so great to read these write ups every Saturday, great credit what a team 💪👌

Thanks for the write-up. Good play by our girls.

Coton Football Club

1 week ago

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Help raise £500 to help fund the running of our school swimming pool!

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Weʼre raising money to help fund the running of our school swimming pool!. Support this JustGiving Crowdfunding Page.

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Coton Football Club

2 weeks ago

Hi ChatGPT, Coton U14 Girls travelled to Newmarket yesterday for their first away game of the season. A brilliant game of football with newly promoted Newmarket giving us a run for our money all the way. Unfortunately Coach Sam was unable to be at the game, so no match report, but Lia (still recovering from her injury last week), took a set of notes. We wondered if you could put these together into a match report? [notes attached]

“Sure! Let me help with that…

Ladies and gentlemen, Coton U-Fourteeners faced the Newmarket Broncos hot from last season’s playoff finals in the midday kickoff yesterday at the Academy Stadium. Let's dive straight in with the highlights from this thrilling matchup:

It all kicked off on September 16, 2023, at 11:58 AM sharp, sun shining with the Fourteeners making the early play and gaining advantage into Newmarket territory. Coach Andy had set Coton with Cha at Safety, Tes and AJ at Inside and Outside Linebacker positions with Cornerbacks Katty and Annie providing wide cover. Mads at Tackle protected our Defence with Quarterback Shannon and Running Back Kate building the West Coast Offence in the center. At Right Wide Receiver, Indie with Pauline Left Wide Receiver caused havoc down the sidelines. Halfback Alice pressured the Broncos’ defence all game with her powerful running and was unlucky today to not to put points on the board. Interception: AJ and nice switch to the weak side. Coton press to the goal line and Newmarket forced to clear. Indie delivers the corner pass, scramble and Pauline smothers home. Touchdown: Coton! Newmarket possession now but a Kate hand on the centreline and the Field Judge signals the foul. Field Kick: Newmarket but Cha makes the Clutch Catch. Newmarket take the first timeout for changes. Katty with the steal and its Coton possession again. India with the long run deep but the Newmarket Safety is out to avoid a touchdown. More great play and the long switch from Indie before the Touch Judge halts play.

At the break it’s 1 to Nothing: Coton! Coach Andy has rolled the changes with Ilazki replacing the tiring Shannon at Quarterback. 2nd Quarter now and more possession from the Fourteeners. AJ with the long pass, and Pauline takes off ahead of the Newmarket Linebacker, and in for the chipped Field Goal over Safety. 2 Nothing Coton and more points on the board for MVP Pauline. Now more Coton Offence, and Kate with the long pass to Shannon, but a fumble and no Hail Mary. With the clock running down, Cha makes a big tackle. Coach Olly arrives late to raise the volume in the crowd. Alice goes for the field goal, but the Newmarket Safety is on her game today. Ilazki in the pocket shifts to Mads and Pauline for a nice series on the left. AJ clears and timeout: Coton for Shannon to come back on with Indie having the rest. Big shout Cha and the clean interception! Now into overtime, a corner cross from Pauline. Annie with a stellar clear, and Tes moves to Offence. Another Pauline attempted field goal, but too high. Kate steps up for the field kick after an epic AJ steal and Alice slides in for what would have been another deserved touchdown, but the Broncos’ Defence holds strong. The game is over and overall a fantastic team display by all the Fourteeners!

And there you have it, folks! An all action showdown with two great teams keeping those Gridiron fans on the edge of their seats! Until next time, keep enjoying the sports action, no matter what shape the ball is! 👍🏈” ... See MoreSee Less

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A lot has changed since last season.. including the code ;)

Great write up, 👌

This really made me laugh! Best one yet 😂

Coton Football Club

3 weeks ago

The excitement and tension of our opening fixture of the season was only outdone by the pantomime theatrics and bluster of Coach Olly on the sidelines as Coton U14 Girls took on Netherton in the baking morning heat at Coton Rec. 3 weeks of preseason, 2 friendlies and a lot of Joe Wicks(!) made us optimistic for a good start to the season, but in Netherton we faced a massive challenge; many peoples favourites for the league this season, and brimming with talent and power throughout their squad. Undoubtedly they dominated the majority of this match and fully deserved to win the game, but football is not always like that…

It was hard to judge how intense to make the prematch warm up in the heat, but Coach Kelly did a sterling job to ensure the girls were stretched and ready to go. We began brightly, playing the ball around and within a minute, nice work by Alice sent Pauline away down the right wing, drawing the Netherton defence across and leaving India in acres of space in the box to receive a pinpoint cross. Probably a bit early in the game for Indie, and a bit of indecision meant her effort clipped the post. But a positive start. Netherton started to get into the game, and their midfielders took control of the central areas, but could not make any direct progress as Anaya was in top form and cutting out everything. So Netherton were forced wider and began to find joy on the flanks. Charlotte was forced to make a good stop at her near post, but the succession of corners finally resulted in the opening goal as we failed to clear our lines and the ball was buried into the back of the net, giving Cha no chance. Netherton’s tails were up, and we were happy to come in for a drinks break just to catch our breath. Ilazki and Kate came on to add a bit of spark to the centre but the rest of the half followed a similar pattern, with our front players never getting much change out of a strong Netherton back line. Had it not been for the brilliance of AJ, and two outstanding stops from Cha, Netherton would have been out of sight before we’d even got to half time.

We hoped the break for the second half and a change of ends might spark something from our girls, but still Netherton kept up the pressure. We know their team to be strong and quick, but they played some fantastic one touch football today and our players were chasing shadows for most of the 3rd period. Tesni and Lia were called upon to clear, with Katarina and Bam continually being forced back down their lines. Luckily Cha was in top form, not just collecting crosses and shots but in distribution and transition. We started to create a couple of half chances with India and Pauline giving signs that we were not out of this game yet. A really nice interchange of passes between Alice and Kate sent Pauline in one on one, but a heavy touch and their outstanding keeper was given enough of a sniff to come and collect before Pauline had a chance to get her shot away. Drinks break, and one more roll of the dice. Lia’s prematch injury had gotten worse so AJ dropped in with Tes, and Mads went CDM. Shannon and Ilazki held the middle with Alice causing trouble up front. Pauline and India had the wings. And their wingers were having no joy out of Katty and Bam who both took the opportunity to put their foot on the ball and start us playing our game. Pauline and Indie ran up the lines and Alice continued to battle, forcing a corner. We’d not managed to properly attack the good deliveries from the corners in this game but this one was different, and Netherton could only scramble the ball wide to Shannon. Great control and a clipped cross come shot could only be palmed by the keeper into her own net. Fitting it was that on the day Shannon handed the captaincy over to Mads, that she score our opening goal of the season. Harsh on Netherton though who had almost held out for the 3 points. But 1-1 was not going to be the final score in this game…heads on now girls, get our shape and let’s go again. Within a minute, Pauline had scampered past her defender and was bearing down on goal. Time stood still as Alice, Indie and Shannon arrived in the box to take up good positions, but Pauline had tunnel vision and a finish to match, sliding low and sending our coaches and spectators into massive applause. We had 6 mins left on the clock. Could we hold on? It was one of the most tense finishes to a game we can remember. Netherton kept coming at us, with strength and speed. Our bench had hands in our mouths. Olly was bouncing and squealing like he’d collected one in the Crown Jewels. But on the pitch, Katty, Bam and Tes were amazing, and AJ was sensational as Netherton pressed for an equaliser. Ilazki and Shannon ran and ran, and Mads drove her team on. Pauline, Alice and Indie maintained the threat and worked hard for their team to win throws and slow the game with Kate and Lia cheering the girls on from the sidelines. And anyway, Cha was no way letting in another, picking out crosses and diving on loose balls, all the way to that final whistle.

Phew! And that whistle couldn’t have come soon enough. What you don’t need in a heatwave is a game like that, but to win a game like that feels very special. Massive credit to the Netherton girls, coaches and parents who more played their part and took the defeat gracefully, shaking hands and congratulating our girls. The season has only just begun and Netherton will, for sure, take some teams apart in the coming weeks and months. But today was our day! Even though it didn’t feel like it was going to be!! Well done girls! Roll on next week!! 👍⚽️ ... See MoreSee Less

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So pleased for you all! 💪🏻 👏

Crown Jewels, love it!!😂

What a group of girls 💪

Just one issue , can we turn the floodlights off next time 😁

Great write-up as ever. Well played girls.

Amazing match report!!

Great work team. Netherton are a formidable opponent and this is a superb result 💪

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Coton Football Club

1 month ago

Congratulations to the Lionesses on reaching the World Cup Final!! 💪⚽️

The game is being shown at The Willow Tree teepee in Bourn - why not all come down! Children welcome to have a kick-about in the meadow from 9am👍⚽️

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World Cup Final LIVE this Sunday at The Willow Teepee 🦁

mailchi.mp

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