Under 6s | Coton FC

2 days ago

Coton U14 Girls demonstrated great bouncebackability, after the disappointment of the midweek cup final defeat, to win the league in style today. A first ever league title for a team that has season on season been in the conversation, but never quite made it over the line. That changed today!

The St Ives pitches were in great condition but the morning sun meant our warm up was lacking a bit of intensity. We eased into the game, controlling possession but unable to fashion much. Limited to long shots by the St Ives defensive line, it was quickly becoming clear their keeper was something special. A nervousness started to creep in on the bench, and on the pitch our girls were rushing the passing and guilty of not looking after the ball. A changed formation today, with Shannon and Kate up top. Indie and Emilia providing the width with Pauline in front of Mads and Ilazki in the middle. Our back three of Bam, AJ and Annie looked fully in command, and Cha very comfortable between the sticks. Suddenly a nice break by Emilia and ball back across for Kate to play in Shannon for a nice finish, but as the celebrations began, the girls spotted the lino’s flag was up, and the goal was ruled out. Now a flurry of wasted efforts, the girls looking a bit panicked, St Ives defending well, or their keeper equal to every shot. We’ve been this close in the past only to fall at that final hurdle. Was this going to be one of those days? But then, brilliant skill and vision by Ilazki, picking out Shannon to turn and slide a ball to Kate whose sublime first touch gave her plenty time to pick her spot, in off the post that no keeper could have got to. A water break was needed in the heat and this was an opportunity to introduce Lia and Tes to the game. The single goal didn’t feel enough in a game like this where one error would cost us so much. The St Ives keeper had a massive kick and the high ball wasn’t easy to judge or deal with on a hard dry pitch. Fortunately Cha was on her game as normal today, out quickly to the through balls and calmly(!), collecting in those high bouncing balls. With Mads dictating play and Pauline’s close control running at pace, we didn’t look like this game could go against us, but in football, one goal never feels comfortable. Alice came on up front and immediately changed the dynamic, with the St Ives defence now having to deal with strength and power. India and Emilia were regularly getting in behind their fullbacks now, and had the half gone on much longer, we felt like another goal would have come.

The nervousness of the first half was quickly a distant memory in the second, with the girls starting to move the balls around quickly in the way we’ve become used to. Pauline received a ball from Tes, drove forward for a 1-2 with Kate and the ball threaded to Shannon’s run for an outside of the foot finish. More magic feet by Pauline, and another pass slipped in to Shannon for another great finish. Annie into midfield now, with Mads moving up top. An India corner, and a Shannon controlled finish before signalling her approval to set-piece coach Andy, proud to see his training field work coming off. Mads occupying the attention of their defenders was opening spaces for the rest of the team. Now more Coton dominance on the ball, an Indie-Kate combination, with Indie skinning the defender and forcing a good save but Alice on hand for a tap in with the follow up. AJ into midfield with Lia leading the backline, with Bam and Tes either side. Ilazki to Pauline, a dribble through the defence and a curling effort but the keeper was again there for a quality block, pushing over the bar. Kate again with an assist, feeding Indie to go through, a touch left, a touch right, the keeper making herself big but Indie’s cheeky finish through the legs was top quality. Time running out but time for one last Indie corner, and the set piece routine coming off again; a poked Shannon finish for her fourth and our seventh.

The gulf between the top and bottom teams was evident in the end today, but fair play to St Ives, they’ve improved a lot since we played them at the start of the season, and I’m sure their coaches and supporters will be proud that they weren’t going to make it easy for us today. If we wanted that title, we were going to have to work for it. But that is what we did! Congratulations to all the teams this season. It’s been a brilliant league with every team capable of taking points off each other and some fantastic football played. Couldn’t be prouder to have been a part of it, and it’s the icing on the cake for our girls to walk away league winners this season 👍⚽️ ... See MoreSee Less