Berks County Ladies U18’s v Wargrave Women & Girls Lions
Berkshire County Girls Football League
I took another sunny Saturday morning trot down to Bracknell Sports Centre to catch up with Berks County Ladies Under 18s for their game with Wargrave before heading off to Addlestone later in the day. Saturday morning football is becoming a thing with me now it seems and it’s a good chance to see the young players coming through and give them a bit of support and coverage.
Both teams went into this game with one win under their belts from two games played so it looked a pretty even game on paper. Unfortunately for the visitors they were a player down and missing their goalkeeper meant they had to play with ten players for the 90 minutes.
As the game started you wouldn’t have known Wargrave only had ten as it was a very even start with both sides passing the ball around nicely but neither able to create any goalscoring opportunities.
The first goalmouth action provided the opening goal. Berks County won a free kick just inside their opponents half which Ella floated into a dangerous area in the box, the visitors defence couldn’t clear and the ball eventually fell to Lara who calmly stroked the ball into the net. 1-0
Soon after it was two. Ella was again the architect, playing a lovely pass through the Wargrave defence for Syd to run onto. She took the ball into the box and fired a shot into the far corner from a tight angle. 2-0
The Lions fought back and only a great stop from Izzie in the County goal from a quick break and a strong shot from Rose from just inside the area. The resulting corner was floated into the six yard box where it found a Wargrave head but the effort was too high.
Next, Ella did well to win a battle for possession in her opponents half before firing into the net from the edge of the area. 3-0
Back came the visitors with two chances before the break, the first a cracking shot from Millie from 25 yards which cannoned back off the post, and then Rose saw another good shot well saved by Izzie as Wargrave tried to get back into the game.
H-T: Berks County 3 Wargrave Women & Girls Lions 0
The second half started as the first had, end to end action but no further goals with Wargrave pushing the hosts back and County happy to hit them on the break.
There was an unfortunate mistake by the visiting goalkeeper and Syd took full advantage, getting a foot in to take the ball away from the keeper before taking it around her and slotting the ball into the empty net. 4-0
Still Wargrave kept battling and a good run from Rose flicked on by Millie was hit too close to Izzie who made another save. Then their number 28 picked up a throw down the right, ran to the byline and played a great ball across the six yard box but there was nobody there at the far post to touch it into the net.
For the hosts, Lottie who worked tirelessly throughout the game making some great runs, picked up the ball and drove into the area but the impressive Wargrave defence managed to crowd her out and clear once more.
A Lottie corner was played in towards the near post where Rosa tried a flick to the near post only to see her effort go just wide. Another corner minutes later this time swung in by Ella found the head of Rosa but her effort went just over.
One final flourish from the visitors saw Rose again with a decent run and shot which was cleared off the line at the far post by the County defence.
F-T: Berks County 4 Wargrave Women & Girls Lions 0
A really good game to watch and a lot of credit goes to Wargrave for battling on with only ten players over the 90 minutes. Their defence were excellent, midfield battled for everything (their 5 & 43, Ellie and Maisie? both impressing) and in Millie and Rose up front they always looked dangerous going forward.
For the hosts, their back three also played well, Izzie made several important saves, Rosa was very good, probably the player of the match, and pretty much ran the midfield. Ella is very skilful and is always dangerous running towards goal and Syd looks a quality player, her pace is always going to worry teams.
The game was also well refereed with Ebby Saleh allowing the game to flow wherever possible.
Another enjoyable visit and there’s no doubt I’ll be back soon when I can fit it in with my afternoon Saturday game!