It was always going to be tough today with a straight squad of 11. Wargrave have had some decent results - most recently a 2-2 draw with Thatcham and Newbury. However, I know we are always quick in defence, relentless in midfield and potent in attack - so I think we have a good chance of winning any given game.

Wargrave started the game really strongly. They passed the ball through midfield confidently, and it was clear they had some strong runners up front. We soaked up some pressure for the first 5 minutes, but a lightning quick attack from our front three changed the dynamic of the game. Pressing forward, our team structure and organisation looked really good today. Each time the ball came out from Wargrave, one of our midfielders was there to collect. With the ball under control, we gained confidence, and started to move the ball about. Holly regularly dropped the ball back to Isla at left back to play the ball inside to Sofia or Elise, or down the line for her to run on to. Sophie and Elise connected well, bringing Ayla and Meher into play. At the back, both Isla and Lyla were pushing forward in wide positions - and again, this allowed us to press high up the pitch. The problem with a higher and more aggressive press however, is that if your opponent beats the press, they can end up with a clean run on goal. We managed to cover and scramble to defend most of these - Karlina putting on the afterburners and Somaiya using her body to incept and relieve the pressure. Unfortunately, one of those breaks was rewarded. A cross-field ball - just too far out for Poppy to attack - found a Wargrave attacker in acres of space. Her initial airshot made me think we’d escaped - but then she took the ball the other way and finished cleanly at the far post before the defence could recover. This goal was super frustrating for everyone - we’d had the better of the chances, but somehow, with 5 minutes of the half to go, we found ourselves behind. Thankfully, while frustrated, the girls didn’t drop concentration, and a few minutes later we equalised. As she did throughout the half, Elise collected the ball with an open body, and played a quick ball wide and through for Ayla to run on to. There was no mistaking the shot, as she hit the top near corner to bring us back level and into half time.

The girls were in good spirits at the break. They were pleased with the way they were playing and they were communicating well. My only advice was to watch out for those quick breaks - as the counter attack was the only way that Wargrave were going to score. The second half was much like the first - with the Royals dominating possession and field position. We were able to easily move the ball around the Wargrave midfield, and were getting behind them both on the right and left wings. We had plenty of shots - especially from the right hand side - but weren’t able to make a breakthrough. The Wargrave goalkeeper didn’t make any stunning saves - but anything anywhere near her was completely safe, and she looked unlikely to make a mistake. As every supporter, and every coach will probably say - the longer the game goes on with a team gaining the upper hand, the more likely you’re going to see an upset and an against the run of play goal. It was no different today. Wargrave had one or maybe two very good, comfortable on the ball players - and with about 10 minutes of the game left, they shifted one of them into an attacking position. As a defender, it’s really tricky to change your pattern of play once you’re established - and she started to get beyond us and driving into the area. A couple of scares, and finally they saw a breakthrough. A driving run, and a ball all the way to the back post was picked up and slammed home to drop our spirits with five minutes to go. Once again, the girls lifted themselves and immediately pushed forward. Within two minutes it was level. This one from a corner - with Holly driving the ball across the box, and eventually Meher clipping the ball past a series of scrambling defenders. The last five minutes of the game were all in the Wargrave half, if not box - and even in that time I thought maybe we’d sneak a winning goal. Unfortunately it was not to be, and we went to penalties.

Outside of tournaments, this was our first penalty shootout - in fact, our first penalty in the big goals. The only thing I asked the girls was “who wants to take a penalty?” Three hands shot up immediately, followed by Poppy asking if she was allowed, and then Ayla stepping forward. I am hugely proud of those girls. It’s not easy to step forward with the weight of the team on you. It’s a lonely experience going forward, and it’s massively nerve-wracking. For those girls that didn’t want to take a penalty - I’m proud of them too - you don’t want someone that isn’t confident going forward to try to score, and there was no way I was going to ask any of them unless they volunteered. Winning the toss, we chose to shoot second - again, this was not my choice, as I wanted the girls to own this. Of the four Wargrave penalties, three of them were close to Poppy - but not close enough to save. Elise - first up - had her shot saved. It wasn’t straight at the goalkeeper, but she was able to get across and make a good save. Sofia was up next, and buried her penalty with confidence. Poppy third, and opted for power - blasting it just wide enough of the keeper to score. Our fourth penalty was Holly. An inch different, and it would have been celebrated as one of the best youth penalties of all time - but unfortunately, it hit the inside of the post, and came across the goal line and out, leading to wild celebrations from the Wargrave girls, and an early - and undeserving - exit from the Cup for the Royals.

I have never seen the girls play this well before. They passed with such confidence that the Wargrave midfield was mostly irrelevant. My concerns of last week, with the team leaving a big gap in the middle of the field - were completely resolved today, with good connection from the midfield three. I asked them to play more narrow today, supporting each other in close positions in the middle of the pitch - and using the full backs and wingers to add width, rather than spreading themselves across the pitch. Our shooting just wasn’t quite there today - on another day, Holly would have scored three or four, and Meher would have got at least another. But sometimes that’s how things work out - and we’ll just have to work on that final product a little more in training.