I felt the girls were just a little out of sorts and quiet today, but they did just enough to get a win against strong opposition.

As usual, we started the game pretty strong - pressing the opposition high up the pitch, and playing balls both through the middle and out wide for our dynamic forward line. Both Holly and Ayla in wide positions very quickly ended up with opportunities to run past the full-backs, and demonstrated both strength and pace to get behind them. Going the other way, Ascot played a pretty neat passing game, and had real pace up front to stretch our defence. First goal was scored by Meher, a neat ball into the box from Sofia gave too much time for a player like Meher, and she slotted home to take us 1-0 up. While the game was back and forth, I think we shaded the first half, and were definitely unlucky not to have gone further ahead with chances falling to Ayla, Meher and Holly during that time.

Half time and the girls really were flat. They all basically stared ahead while I talked to them. I wasn’t a big fan, and I can’t help but think that impacted our start to the second half. With only 5 minutes of the game played, Ascot had not only equalised, but were 2-1 up. A little miscommunication, a little hesitancy, and a switch of position for one of the Ascot players meant that they were really pushing us back. However, it only took another 2 minutes and we had equalised and then gone ahead ourselves - both goals from Holly. The first was a great turn from Meher out of trouble, and a diagonal ball through to Holly who finished neat into the bottom left corner. Second goal showed why positioning is so important. Elise received a cleared ball midway through the opposition half, and played a ball over and through to Holly - who fired the ball high past the goalkeeper. The game calmed a little for the next ten minutes, but with the threat Ascot showed on the wide left, it was only a matter of time before they gained more opportunities. With 15 minutes left they drew level, and caused a nervous end to the game. Holly’s driving runs on the right were a constant threat, and with just under 5 minutes to go, she drove deep into the Ascot box, and put a clean pass across the box for Ayla to hold her composure and score from close range. As the seconds ran out on the game, I couldn’t help but think Ascot would do what they did last season and score late in the game and grab the result… But the Royals held out for a 4-3 win.

4-3 is a relatively high scoring game - but add to that a clearance off the line in the first half, an inexplicable miss from extreme close range, and numerous near misses - the result could have gone either way and could have been much higher scoring. Overall I think we deserved the win, and it would have been a real blow had we not come away with the points today.

Ayla worked really hard, and for the most part didn’t quite get the service that the amount of work deserved. However, her continued runs into the box paid dividends at the end with her match winning goal. Sometimes you just have to keep doing the things, and hope they go your way. Her efforts won her girl of the game, and from a coaching perspective, her mostly unrewarded work was definitely appreciated.

A few notable mentions… Sorry to be proud Dad… Holly is epic on that right wing. She works her socks off, is physical, and when full-backs are starting to get tired, she is still at full speed. She needs to play a few more balls across the box and keep the game alive sometimes - but I understand with her ability to shoot, why she sometimes goes for goal a little early. At the back, Karlina was her tireless self. She covered and tracked for the whole game, put in strong tackles, and even showed some confidence in playing the ball out a few times - which I always love to see. Lyla’s tussle with the Ascot winger in the second half was incredible. Wins and losses on both sides, and it was never certain who would come out on top when they went 1v1. Poppy played with a finger injury today. I know she was nervous, and it definitely affected her confidence in going for the ball sometimes - but she positioned herself well and must be applauded for overcoming her own fears.

On improvements, I think we still struggle on our midfield structure, and ability to play through the lines. We have great individual ability across the pitch, and all the girls have improved their foundations over this season and previous. However, I do feel we don’t communicate as well as we could - watching the U13 Rangers after us, they are much louder and provide instructions all across the pitch. Added to that, I think we need a focus on positional awareness - and recognising where the space is to occupy. This, I hope, will come with time - especially with a new format this year - but I would like the girls to start thinking more about the shape of the team as they play, rather than just the game that comes to them.