Eagles U16 Lightning Vs Gedling Southbank F.C. Ladies U13

LIGHTNING STRIKE SIX

15/6/21

Two days after playing 1st division Keyworth in soaring temperatures, the under 13 Lightning squad were back in action for a Tuesday game against local rivals, Gedling Southbank. Another hot day saw the match kick off with the temperature at 25!  

Starting line up: Olivia, Kayleigh, Isla, Sienna, Edie, Grace, Chloe, Autumn, Sharay

Subs – Mia, Molly, Keira and Keeley

Before we went on the pitch the message was the same as Sunday – let the ball do the work and save your energy!With Evie unavailable, Autumn started at the top of the diamond.

The early stages were fairly even and then Lightning began to take control and making chances, Sharay twice going close and Autumn testing the keeper. We had settled into a good tempo as Chloe pulled the strings from her defensive midfield position. GSB were playing on the breakaway and twice broke free only for Olivia to see the danger and coming out of her box to clear the danger. The back three, Sienna, Kayleigh and Isla were defending well and putting some good balls through the channels. On 18 minutes we got the breakthrough with Chloe threading a ball through to Sharay who beat two defenders, cut inside and unleashed a powerful shot across the keeper and into the far corner! GOOOOOOAL 1-0 to Lightning.

We then brought our subs on for Sharay, Kayleigh, Autumn and Grace; Molly at the top of the diamond, Mia up top, Edie moving to centre back and Keira and Keeley on the flanks. We continued to dominate but couldn’t get that second goal. Olivia was playing as a sweeper, outside her box and was on hand to thwart GSB’s striker. Molly showed her strength a few times and was unlucky with a snap shot that the keeper saw go agonisingly wide! Mia was having a composed game, receiving the ball several times and laying it off superbly. She broke free and had a decent shot, the keeper saving at the second attempt. So half-time cam with us leading by the one goal and both teams had everything to play for. Half-time 1-0

No changes at half-time, with Vicki keeping back Grace, Autumn, Sharay and Kayleigh for later in the game. No sooner had we kicked off than Keeley made a surging run from her own half and put her shot into the side netting. Not to be outdone Keira had a similar run down the left, slipping the ball into Molly whose shot was blocked. The next GSB attack was stopped by a timely tackle from Edie who passed it to Chloe, onto Keeley and off she went on another of those runs, the ball seemingly glued to her boots. Seconds later she entered the box and smacked the ball low past the keeper! GOOOOOOOAL and 2-0 to Lightning.

Then we relaxed and GSB took the initiative, moving the ball long from the back for the striker to run onto. Twice we were thankful for Olivia coming off her line and narrowing the angle, with both shots inches wide. From one of these long balls their striker burst through and planted the ball past Olivia. Game on at 2-1. GSB had their purple patch now and took control of the game as we struggled to clear our lines and relying on Olivia – who didn’t let us down.

Time for the last changes of the game with Autumn, Sharay, Grace and Kayleigh back into the fray, with 20 minutes to go. Were we going to hang on to what we had or defend by attacking? What do you think? This team only knows one way – Defend from the front Attack from the back!

Same shape – different players: Sharay up top with Autumn behind, Grace wide left and Keeley wide right, Chloe bottom of the diamond and a back three of Sienna, Kayleigh and Edie, Isla earning her rest.

Suddenly those long balls were being cleared straight back, with Autumn and Sharay hunting down the GSB back line. Chloe was imposing herself on the game again after an impressive first half. Pinging balls to feet, spraying it wide, or short, or long, totally aware of her team mates. Within 5 minutes a sublime flick over the GSB midfield found Sharay in space who took a couple of steps before lashing it in GOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL  3-1 to Lightning. Within two minutes Chloe engineered another chance, threading a delightful ball through to Sharay who took it in her stride, same finish, same result GOOOOOOOOOAL  4-1 to Lightning – Hat-trick for Sharay

GSB heads dropped and the heat began to take its toll on them. Our passing and movement was brilliant, all orchestrated by Chloe. GSB were chasing shadows and with 3 minutes to go another magical piece of football. A goal kick to Sienna, a couple of steps and onto Chloe, who else? She made 10 metres then passed the ball with the outside of the left boot through the defence for Autumn to collect and slip under the GSB keeper GOOOOOOOOOOOOAL 5-1 to Lightning.

We were relentless now, but Sienna was alert to their striker bursting through the middle, stopping her with a crunching tackle and moving the ball out wide to Grace who, in typical fashion controlled the ball, cut inside, then ghosted past a defender and seeing Sharay in space, picked her out – there was only one outcome GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAL 6-1 Lightning.

There wasn’t time to re-start the game and a fantastic performance by the whole squad. Afterwards the referee said it had been a great performance form our girls and he had been impressed by their communication to each other, as well as their style of play.

Credit to a hard working GSB side who had us rocking at times.

Player of the Match could have been anyone but the choice was Chloe for a near faultless display in the midfield, including 4 assists for the goals